The Louisiana populist., 1897-01-01

I! ginning to worry. On the third day
of my stay | went to the litt1e village
pest office and asked for letters for
Mr.. Frank Wheaton. expected to find
in the village postmaster the usua!
seni,e cid man so common in such
places. But framed i'll the little aiched
window OF that country post office was
the head Of Il venus worthy the hatld
and brush of Titan. Ny embarrass-
merit in the presence CT Miss Violet
Pierson was absolutely insignificant
compared with my irepidation in the
presence OF this auburn haired, rose
checked, star eyed postmistress. In a
word, was smitten at first sight.
IF this be love-" though l, I've got
it bld. sad I've got something more
to worry about, too
"Ha- e you anything by which to
identify yourseif:'' said the pretty
| post1nistreSS, with Il smile that dis
closed two rows of pearly teeth.
"Will Old letters do"' ased, falter.
ingiy. Il
II guess So" she replied But I'm
not very vel informed, and ! have to
be careful. You see, I'm only Post
mistress pro teh. This is the way
spend my vacation. It's fun for 4 city
gr, you know, and it gives my uncie,
! the real Postmaster, Il chance to go up
! in the woods and rest"
"Of course, you must be careful,
said I, endeavoring to conceal my en-
| barrassmCnt behind Il patroniZing air
"My mail is OF the greatest import
/ allce. But these letters will satisfy
ycu as to my IDENTIFY With this l
drew from the inner pocket of my coat
bunch of Old Letters and handed
them to her. She glanced at them at
first curiously. The1 she frowned and
drew the contents from several ct
them and read them hurriedly. Finally
she spoke.
~ believe ;ou asked for mail for Mr..
Frank Wheaton," said she.
Il thought her tone a trife severe.
But l answered: 81 did"
""Then | am afraid you are not as
honest as you look, Mr.. John Den
nett" she replied, accenting the name
in a manner peculiar to angry women.
The situation nearly took my breath
away. Jack had left some old letters
in his pocket. l was wearing his coat,
and I had fully identified myself as
another person.
"This is en- unfortunate mistake" !
tried to explain, weakly. Il am wear
ing a coat belonging to friend Of
mine and Gid not know there were any
letters in the pocket. Naturally L"
wearing another mans coat" she
mused. Goodness, hope you're not
a burglar! l must notify our con-
stable the moment close up the office
for the day. That will be very soon,
ROW. If you want to escape you'd
better hurry"
l have been in predicaments before,
and l paid no attention to her, or tried
not to.
"WiM you be kind enough to tell me
whether there are any letters here Tor
Mr.. Frank Wheaton," l asked, as
coolly as possible.
20, don't mind telling you that. In
fact, l have taken especial interest in
tfsm. You see, nobody scmes to know
who he is, and he must be gentleman,
because he has a letter from a lady,
ind the envelope is Of the very latest
fashion. I'm going to get some of the
same kind myself. Besides that, there
are several letters from men. Now,
you evidently know who he is, or you
weuh not try to get his mail. I've
done you favor; will you tell ME who
he is, ard where ne is living?
II am le,'' | answered.
'I.ook ME straight in the eyes and
repeat that" she commanded, very
seriously.
II am he," I repeated, looking
straight into the prettiest b.ue eyes
this side Of heaven. :
.1oo bad" she said, with shake OF
her head. Mamma told me once that
man who could look you straight in
the eyes and could then tell an un-
truth must be very bad man"
/ turned ON m yslleel and walked out.
1t was time to swear, and 1t ,isa matter
Of principle with me never to swear
before women. And | never forget
this principle before q pretty woman
| went home to my room and looked
at Jacks motto. | wanted to smash
the nloeking thing with my denched
fist, but went down to Mrs. White
for consolation instead. ! told her my
story. This is the consolation | got:
"Yorng man." said she, II suspected
YOU from the first. Any man who pays
his board six weeks in advance ought
to be suspected. Honest men don't
have to do that sort of thing. ! have
no doubt that you are John bennett.
Your clothes are all marked with that
name. And you have been trying 10
steal Mr.. Wheatoa's letters, poor gen
f5on,ons And IN think that / should