The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-08-31

"Whdt Is your theoTU about this thtnp,
CGntrell?'
young girl was perched upon a stool,
knitting her brows over q dogs cared
account book.
"Howdy, Lafe?'' nhe said, getting
down to open tho pouch.
Purity toler'ble. Whar's you uns
pawr?'
81 don't l1now-down to Lukens', I
reckon
Sho pulled the strap through the sta
pies and, dumping the mail on the
counter, began to cali it off TO the group
of expectant loungers and townspeo-
pie, keeping up desultory conversation
with the mail carrier at the same time.
''Doc Parks, Many Collin, John Tre-
vor-what-all news is there down at
Vigo, Lafe?"
"Nothin much, not as herd"
you'd new hear any thing, nohow-
JEFF Greer-Eph Sanders-here's a let
ter for you-all, Eph-hawss gone lame,
Lafe?'
mo. WhyP''
Thought you-all seemed sort Of
tired-Bud Gordon-Wiley Pryor
LATE Strengthened up, and then
thought better of it, resuming his loung-
ing position on the counter because it
brought him nearer to her. She went
on calling the names, and he watched
her dexterous fingers juggling the let
tiers and stole occasional glances under
the brim of his soft hat at her face. 1t
was face for which tho Language pro-
vides no adjective. Pretty is too
trivial. beautiful" is too fine. It was
a face on which strength of character
was written very legibly and yet with
out marring its womanly attractiveness;
dark eyes that Knocked oftener than they
caressed; finely penciled brows; masses
of dark hair gathered back into heavy
knot which was transfixed by lead
pencil; nose that would have been
pert without the correcting suggestion
of firmness about the mouth and chin;
a young woman who would rise to her
opportunities, one would say, adding the
saving clause that she would probably
never miss them if they should happen
to pass by on the other side.
When the last of the expectant ones
had gone, LATE asked, "Have you told
you uns pawr yet, Willie?''
moo. Seems like you're in power
full hurry. LATE %
"Reckon 1 have to be, don't I?'
She twisted tho ring on her finger and
smiled down upon him. "There 3 plenty
of time" Then suddenly, where did
you--all get this-get this ring, Later"
Bought hit. of course Whar did you
low got hit?'
81 didn't know. was just thinkin
Of John Corny and Annie Hester. He
lowed to get her ring and says he
sent to Nashville for it. It new did
come, and now Annie she don't believe
he Ger meant to get it, and she won't
so much as say 'Howdy?' to him. Didn't
you all hear about it down at Graft
ville?"
Lafe's lips said "No," but he looked
up into her eyes and changed it to
Yes Then some one came in, and
there was no more said about John
Corny or his ring.
The dew was still on the grass the
following morning when Lafe called at
Gcdfrey's store for the mail pouch. The
girl brought it out to him.
Lookout you all don't fall off the
hawss, she said, mocking him. And
then, by way of compensation, maybe
I'll tell paw before Friday
II wisht you wonld, Willie. Seems
like / cayn't look Kim in the face no
mo- till you do. He wouldn t take nothin
from me, but he'll listen at you"
Maybe" was all she would say.
Bnt she stood On the porch and watched
him as long as he was in sight.
Granville was the first Office on tho
return route, and when the carrier went
In with the mail tho postmaster was
busy. When be got around to the gov
ernment's Business, be made a show Of
hurrying. He was relooking the pouch,
when farmer drove up and came in
with letter in his hand.
Hold up a minute, Mr.. Johnson
got letter to go in thar, and reckon
it'll have to be registered.
"Cayn't take it now mellow; mails
all ready TO go -
"Shucksr' said the farmer, hopping
his face with bandanna. "Done druv
TO- milo to get that thar letter off this
nornin. Hits got $40 in for that Teller
that sold mo the mowin machine, and 7
lowed to him be could count on hit
shore today"
"Cayn't hep it, Mr.. Kilgore. Like
mighty well to do you all a favor, but
! cayn,t hold the mail to register no let
tiers row. Orders is mighty strict"
Then LATE spoke. up: "Thess put hit
IL With the rest " 'ena, (" he suggeeted