Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1898-09-17
Miss BrilPs Delivery Window.
BY ELLEN FRIzwELL wYcoFF.

Miss Frances Brill was the village
Post Mistress. The Post Office,
which was the front room in her lit
tie house, was cool and sweet with
the green shadows of the great,
dropping elms that lined the crooked
street. A little farther down stood
the wee, sleepy-looking depot, and
far back In a shadowy grove, was
the village hotel. 1t was a curious
bit of architecture. Seekers of rest
had found the quiet spot and for
their accommodation, wings and piaz.
zas had been added from time to
time, until now, artists smiled and
architects frowned at tue queer pile.
Over against the western sky
doomed great violet mountains with
wonderful cloud shadows moving
across them. Behind the mountains,
the sun dropped quickly, leaving
long, cool evenings to the happy
sojourners at "Traveler's Rest"
Miss Frances was "making up"
the mail, though it was two hours
before train time. This was a long
and tedious task, though the mail
was always light. But every stamp
must be blackened beyond ell danger
of being cleaned, and on every let
ter the postmark must be perfectly
distinct. Besides, the postal cards
must be read, and seeing that they
were often carelessly written, this
was no easy task. This was Miss
Brill's idea of duty.
AS she worked, an occasional let
ter rustled into the box that opened
from the outside, and quickly aud
patiently Miss Brill brought it to
her desk.
When the letters were finished,
she drew the postals toward her,
and carefully read the first one. She
wiped her big, round glasses and
read it again. A small boy laid a
letter in the delivery window, and
placed two damp, hot coppers care
fully on it. Miss Brill pounded the
letter with her pads, and nervously
pushed the pennies back to the de-
lighted boy.
The village shoemaker called for
his mail, and she gave him the Doc
tors Journal and the Minister'S AID.
vocate. Then she re-read the card.
"Well, l do declare It's as plain
as the nose on my face" which was
saying a great deal for the clearness
of the message.
"The trifin' rascal I'm goin' to
stop this, for hits a blazin' shame.
Poor little Dollyl"
Then she sead the card in care
fully modulated voice:
Dear old Man -
So glad you can take
the little lady off my hands. / really
can't afford the luxury. She's the
trimmest, neatest little thing. and it
seems hard to cast her off after win
ming her love, for indeed, she's quite
fond OF me, though I dare say she
will be able to transfer her affections
to you. Will drive her over to the
picnic at Berry Falls, tomorrow.
Mine host will keep her until you
are ready. Yours,
JACK ARCHER.
With hand that was not steady
Miss Brill turned the card over and
read the address. "Mr. Richard
Harding, Berry Falls, N. CO.
otis one of them idle Yankees
that's fishin' and huntin over there.
The doctor'd better stayed with
'em."
She laid the card down and looked
helplessly at it.
Snow what am / goin' to dot
She's plum wrapped up in him, an
she wouldn't hear a word agin IN,
an l can't blame Ter, fur haint I
been right where she is? Not a
word would l hear agin Lige, tell it
was too late. Hits no use teIlin'
herr
She tied ON her big black hat and
left the Office, carefully locking the
door. Across the street and up
through the grove she went, past
the flowers On the hotel steps,
through the long, wide hall TO the
back piazza, where pretty Dorothy,
the landlords daughter, was peeling
peaches for dinner, and talking to
the handsome young doctor who
was industriously helping her.
"Just in time, Miss Frances! Sit
down and have some peaches" Doro-
othy said, pleasantly.
VI ain't got time, Dolly. I want
yer to come over to the Office lit
tie Bit Miss Brill said. twisting her
fingers nervously.
"Is there something there for me?'
Dolly asked, eagerly.
aNothing' that you'll want, = grim
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