The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-10-22

road, ana examined Inc DOCKS o. Ono
connecting agents; but no clue cotfd
be found. All agreed that 1t had been
stolen by the agent who had died, and
I was advised by my superior officers
to relinqulsh the search; but, being
anxious to continue 1t, was allowed
one month more.
"There are several functions on the
road, and some offices where mail Is
given out in bags and marked for small
country towns and villages. had
hoped that, on account Of the amount of
mail which at that time passed through
the hands of the agents, it had been
overlooked, and had found its way
into the country.
II had but one week longer in which
to continue my search, when after ex
aiming all the prominent offices along
the road, I alighted from the train OF
O station, en- route for o small Office
twelve miles in the interior. The
mall to it--a weekly one-was sent
u4tSCG NY luC uldlI dSout'
II hired o saddle horse, and amused
myself with the stories of the mail
carrier, boy of twelve Or fourteen
years of age.
Toward noon, I arrived OF O small
country inn, and, after hasty dinner,
continued Oh my journey to the post
Office, o mile and half further On.
'It was q beautiful day. The coun.
try was bedecked in all the beauty of
summer. The tall majestic pines,
through which my road lay, waved
their heads In the breeze, and their
heavy signs brought to mind the days
Of Marion, whose bravery has added
poetry to almost every forest In South
Carolina
II was absorbed In thought, when
suddenly the forest ceased, and the
road ran down long hot lane, at the
bottom Of which was O large white
house, the residence of the postmis-
tress.
81 rode along slowly, admiring the
house as I did 50. It looked cool and
inviting, and it was surrounded by
mock oranges, while here and there o
tall pine waved it's head above the
surroundings, and seemed proud of
the ivy that clustered around its trunk.
II dismounted at the gate, and
passed up the flower garden. A lady's
hat, some small garden tools and q
book were thrown carelessly beneath
the shade Of a tree, as il some girl,
weary of her work Of play and read
ing, had left them to enjoy walk
amoug the beautiful shrubbery.
''As I assembled the steps, turned
to enjoy the beauty that surrounded
me, now made more grand by the voice
Of the happiest Of all songsters, the
mocking-bird. 1t seemed q dream-a
something too beautiful and calm to
be true-a paradise-and 1 could not
refrain from asking myself, as /
knocked at the door Of this fairy abode,
If l were not serpent come to destroy
all It's pleasure and beauty.
"My summons was answered by q
man, who asked IL I wished to see
Miss Mary.
II answered I had come to inquire
for letter.
HE summoned Miss Mary, and, as
! afterward learned, her father had al
lowed the Office to be at his house, to
show off his beautiful daughter; md
she was o really beautiful girl of
eighteen, and even now can see the
happy smile with which she greeted
me.
"'Please, ma'am, asked, is there
q letter here for John Jones?'
II used my own name, as l knew
she had never heard of me, and 1 felt
for once as if my occupation was o
mean one.
Jones2' she repeated, as she
looked over dozen letters she took
from O small walnut box lying on o
table IN the p0rlor. Jones? No, sir;
there is none for you. There are
some for Squire Jones family she
added, with smile, as she held up o
letter directed Miss Fannie Jones'
"'She will be glad to receive it?'
said, after reading the address.
" Yes; I know she will. 1 know
who it is from, and am going to take
it to her myself, this afternoon. You
don't APq IVA Sn, do y s2Rn5gerod 7 am
a stranger here
"T thought so. In fact I knew it.
Come to buy cotton, 1 supposed
II came near being thrown off nv
guard. After some hesitation I an.
swered:
~ have come in search of gold
"'Then you ought to see Squire
Jones; there is gold on his place, thew
say =
nn ~, ike very much to see
him." '00
am going over there this after.
noon Twill show you the way She
answered, iunocently.
And, before had time to prevent
her light footsteps could be heard as'
cendlng the stairs. In few mononta