New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-06
THE AUTOCRAT.
A VILLAGE CHARACTER OFTEN ~,
SERVED
Lonesomehurst. Aueu.. ..

Lonesomehurst. August IA
was IN the hands Of blacksmith. It was ~
That the Autocrat dawned upon me- He mere
tall. gray-haired an stopped from the 80. as
leaning down to listen to the pleas of his s',' '' Of
one OF these was before the small wired w,.s
as entered. '"ooW
1T Amt no use" said the Autocrat n Lii
vercly, for you to be talkin' to me thu, IN se'
don't have to give you your mail unless way. I
to, anyway" want
The subject in white duck trousers
straw hat answered daringly: VICE
iii get my mail, or I'll know the reason MI,
you'll have to be pretty spry to git mai =.
amt here, the Autocrat retorted as his ne,,,,"
departed Then he looked over al me ''''s
THAT talk of his don't do no good" he oh.
but that's Mr. Jackson He always tbirk. .a
paper amt here. I've got it hid somewhere. y ,! as
gifts delayed. / guess" N4a
''Of course" ! responded, for one of my rul.. =.
conduct is to agree with Autocrat
/ then approached the window with a naoL.
"Will you please weigh this?"
Eyes. yes" he answered. though he sesn.a
noyed. and begal to tumble around bena.,s an'
counter. Presently he drew forth some sca,.. "'
why, here's Mr.. Jackson's paperr he sa,, -
wonder how II got tucked in behind the so,
He paused to ct ntemplate the paper for a uo
or two. and then turned to my package "wss','
in he~e?" he asked. photographs" reni.a
Let me see" he said aIoud-'its one ca,,
ounce for photographs amt it?'
| was forced to confess my ignorance. Nm, a.
Autocrat had only inquired through courtesy ,"'
he Immediately said:
"Yes, yes: know VIII IL is. It's one cen, ~ -
ounce or a fraction thereof And that remind. -"
] charged Miss Bah two cents too much on nho.a
graphs last week. Well, III put two cents ~.
and remember 10 give to her when she comas :.
to-day. You've got to be pretty careful In ,,,
postoffice business; people are always ready q.
make complaints"
/ agreed with him as 10 this common hum.,
tendency. and expressed an opinion that memor,
like his must be a valuable aid in the postonc.
business Then called his attention to my pacl
age.
IT'S three cents" he said.
handed him the pennies and turned away
Want me to lick 'em2' he asked.
"Oh. no." answered apoogeu ally III do NJ
1--WE got 'em licked" he answered
thanked him and resumed my seat on the lons
wooden bench. The Autocrat sauntered past ne
and out across the clm-shaded street, leaving ne
alone with the unclaimed United States mall
Presently in came two boys.
"IIe isn't here" said one. peerng over the high
desk and in behind the glass-fronted boxes.
"Oh. well. then. just in behind and pull your
mail out. That's the way We do mere
Accordingly the boy in behind the boxes and
then out again. At the door he encountered The
returning Autocra,.
Here. just let me see what you've got there !"
said the official The boy handed him the Letters
and papers
well. / amt got my glasses on. Just suppose
Won look them over" said the Official
Lawson Lawson. Lawson" said the boy, rapidly
turning over the letters. "Lawton-here's one that
isn't ours
Yes I thought So" said the Autocrat triumph
antly. Now you how necessary It is to looS
over the letters and papers.
He took the letter and walked behind the desk
Just as nutterng. pink-shirted. brown linen
skrted, white straw-hatted younS woman came 10
with the assured air of favorite.
Mr.. Lawton is sure there must be another le''e'
for him." she surgled. 80 I've come to ask you
won't please look once more.
NO need to-" said the Autocrat graciousy'
Here's Mr.. Law:on's letter. /, cot mixed up WIN
Lawson's mail. but ferr.,ed u out
Mrs I.awton expressed her gratitude ana sol az
far as the door, when she was peremp'orHs o'De'''
Just step back here to the desk ! want 70 tel
you about that French girl that works up 10 your
place She sent a money order 10 her folks IN
France yesterday and forgot TO put ~e-ee"'
stamp onto the letter.
l.
Yes but" said the Autocrat, happened "
think OF il in bed this morning. and got up AZ
o'clock and over here 10 the Office ana ope"SSe
the bag and stuck the stamp onto the ie'. Sr -
now it'll go all right. There's no sayin lnou 20
what might have happened to il if hadnt Jus
happened TO think Of it in time only no" sn
owes me five cents. 49,, A., WA,
.'TU pay IT," said Mrs. Lawton. and don men
ton II 10 Marie. II would worry her SO. ,,..,,
Tho Autocrat went to the door AFTER nel uepdi y.
and surveyed coachman who was seated IN "a,
drawn by two spirited horses that ne WIS ~
inc TO bring to A standstill Finally ne lulS'.u .hen
hut he did not get out Of the cart Inc Au'ocls
cleared his throat. -, ...,,u;,. r.,
Won needn't wait there. he Called: ulhhin III
a-yon' 10 carry your mail out 10 you.
The man addressed was not 4 pio"u'' VI q 'NP-
lican form Of government ,, .u.,,, ~
Il amt askin ye TO come out, ne said " AT 1"
| DO Will ye' ,,,. ,.,... .,5 ,bsr "a ma
""Give me tin cints worth of stamps he COM
:,Whot kind of stamps" demanded the Autocra.
.J,rifed states said the cOachman. WIN uaos
OF impudence IN his ton". s.,. ,,,, s,srns -
There's one two. iv ten. ana MY Sgn1 80 S you
said the Autocrat. Now. what A'hu "o wv
wart2" -. p;d 70 think
Il want two-cent stamps. av coorse p'u ,! w "
I wanted tin cints worth OF nity-ceh' s'""''''
asked this rude and insolent man. g., l.. voa.,ins
''There's re saving what you Noulu ue topping
for Ton cents" was the Autocrats repiy. ., toll
The blacksmith next door came lh snoi ~ len
mo that my bicycle was ready Tor me- ai anu 81 ara,
heard my ordly friend saying IN peASaisp p p
viucIal tou, to a meek looking man nue.r,,g
seems 70 be a paper tor Non mere NE s,,s in
But wait a minute. there's a package tha' Gam" "
I'll lust take q look at II. II may u' ,.,or and
The Autocrat here dived under Inc coui.'s' treas
did not wait TO see If there was or vas no Gun.
urs th.re concealed for the meek-ookihs sup