The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1899-03-11
We'll. maybe he does, inthat light,

We'll. maybe he does, inthat light :,
returned Mrs. Allison, moving toward
the door. But Blodgett Is no poor
man, and his mill pays him right along.
What I'd like, is to see you appointed
postmaster yourself You're Fl now"
''"oh, thank you,' answered Mabel,
with a ra Their sad smile, as Mrs. ALI
son went out. Then she sat down in her
chair BY the desk, but the smile was
all gone.
I'm afraid there aren't many excur-
sions for me this summer" she unused.
somewhat ruefully. II presume Mr..
Blodgett would stay here that day if |
asked him, but know. couldn't ford
to 60 Besides, haven't any dress to
wear that's suitable. / wish l could
earn more"
But there was no time for gloomy
thoughts, for the boy was back with
mail bag, and people were beginning to
drop in more and more frequently. 3
She plunged earnestly into the work
before her, which-as work will always
do-drove away the gloomy thoughts.
But she was not to be allowed to for
get the excursion, as several of her girl
friends who came to the office asked
her if she were going. She answered
them as she had answered Mrs. Allison.
and it made her little angry to feel
that her face flushed each time: for
although none of them said what her
first caller had said, she felt sure that
they all thought it. She was ashamed
OF the feeling, but she could not help
being disturbed.
Other reasons made her feel her lack
OF money much more than this excur-
sion. Mabel's father had died five years
before, leaving his family in poor cir
cumstances. Her mothers health was
not good, and there were two younger
sisters and little brother who were
sfill in school. She had been willing to
work hard and deny herself much to
help keep them there. She knew that
she herself would never have been able
to stay in school so long as she did, had
not her mother worked hard and denied
herself.
When she had left school, and taken
up the first work which presented
itself, it had been with the determine
ton to keep her younger brother and
sisters in school as long as possible. To
this end she had given up even her mu-
sic, which she had cared for so much. It
was no wonder, perhaps, that she
sighed as she thought how little of all
that she wanted to do she could hope 10
accomplish on the meager salary she
was receiving.
1t was a little after three o'clock on
ire afternoon OF this same day that a
stranger entered the Downingville post
Office. Mabel was alone. She noticed,
as the man stepped up to the general
delivery, that he was well dressed, and
perhaps between rs and 80 years of age.
His face was not a pleasant one. al
though it did not suggest lack of in
telligence. He came close to the win
dow and said:
lis there registered letter for M. P.
here?"
Such letter had come on the latest
mail, and Mabel had placed it in the
safe which stood in the corner. She an
swered him in the affirmative, when he
continued:
THAT is my name-M. P. Morgan
stone. Please let me have it,"
The rules require Identification in
the case of registered letters, you
know" answered Mabel.
"Oh, yes; l had forgotten. Well, l
am a stranger here, but can show you
who | am all right" He searched his
pockets, taking out a number of pa
pers and old letters. Two of the latter
ne pushed through the window. '".There
you see, miss,-M. P. Morganstone,
Just give me the letter.
it's very important for me to catch the
uptrain."
But | can't give out a registered let
ter on such identification. Mr..
Blodgett. the postmaster, has in
structed me not to do So"
Mabel's suspicious were beginning
10 be slightly aroused by one thing
about the man. Twice since coming I'D
&c the window he had glanced over his
shoulder at the door. She knew, of
course, that it was her duty to deliver
the letter if he could fully convince Her
that it belonged TO him; but she deter
mined to insist on Identification of the
strictest kind, as matter of protection
to herself and her employer.
"Why, see here, I've got lots of reg
istered letters on less Identification
than this, and at larger Offices" the
man said. You're going beyond the
rules"
mo, l don't think am. A postmas-
Ter is responsible for registered letters.
II he delivers one to the wrong person
he rightful owner can hold him ac-
,ountable. Mr.. Blodgett is very par
.iular. He has told Inc to deliver no
such letters to strangers except on iden-
such as would be satisfac- |
tory at bank. You must know that |
there you would have to be vouched for
oy some one known to the bank peo-
ple."
nil ~