Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1899-06-22
THE JILTING OF MASTER TOMMIE
By W. R. ROSE.


Letter carrier No 400 was swinging
back to the postoffice at a fine clip. 1t
was late in the afternoon, and he had
finished his last delivery.
Letter Carrier X had an east end
route. 1t wasn't an aristoeratic route,
but they were nice people. and they ap-
preciated their obliging and good look
ing carrier, for carrier No. 400 was
really one of the most presentable men
on the force. He wasn't exactly a
young man. he had stepped over the
man on the force who could outclass
him in any way.
In fact, he was what the feminine
lexicon would define as an eligible par
ty. He was quite alone in the world;
he had tidy amount in the bank; he
carried goodly sum of life insurance;
he had no cause to fear for the future.
Added to this he was sober, faithful,
intelligent and hadn't vice worthy of
the name.
Possibly his only defect was an en-
tire indifference to the improving sex,
which certainly was not their fault,
for he was, as has been emphasized, a
decidedly goodly man to gaze upon.
As he turned the corner on to the ave
nue. young woman carrying a small
handbag suddenly confronted him.
'If you please said the young wo-
man.
Letter carrier No. 400 stopped. She
was a comely young woman with dark
eyes and clear complexion, and when
he had further noticed that she had
dimple in her left cheek. it suddenly
occurred to hfm-he was quick
thinker-that when you own as pretty
dimple as that, one of them Is quite
enough. Besides this, her voice was
low and quite musical, and the carrier
who knew really nothing about such
things, felt sure that her clothes. al
though quite plain. gave her strik-
ingly neat appearance.
He stopped short and lifted his hat.
IF you please" the young woman
timidly repeated, Il want to ask ia
vor"
Certainly" said the carrier.
And his smile seemed to reassure
her.
Il came to the city," she rapidly ex-
planned, TO find an aunt whom l had
not seen for years. l had written to
her l was coming and knew her ad-
dress. But when | went to the house
found she had suddenly moved away
out of the city, the neighbors said.
And now am quite at a loss what to
do. have never been in city before,
and do not know where to 60" The
young woman's voice trembled little.
'.They told me at home," she added,
that If l got lost or wanted to know
where to find places | must speak to
policeman"
81 am not" said the carrier, "a po-
Iiceman, but that" he hastily added,
"makes no difference" He added it
just in time. for the young woman
seemed quite startled.
81 am only one of Uncle Sans post
men," said the carrier, but Ilncy /
can meet this emergency quite as well
as If ! walked a beat instead of
route"
He smiled as he said this, and his
smile was so infectious that he fancied
the young woman fairly echoed it
Il have itr' he cried. you must go
to Mrs. Torrens. She'll take care of
you tonight anyway Tell her what
you told me and say that sent you"
Here he blushed slightly He was
playing quite a new role.
"And your name?' the young woman
tilnidly asked.
"George.'' replied carrier 400,
George Tolliyer. Here's my card. Mrs.
Torrens knows me. Go back to the
first street turn the corner; it's a
white cottage with blue chairs on the
porch"
She thanked him gratefully and they
went their several ways.
AS he strobe down the street car
rier 400 suddenly noticed that he was
whistling as he hadn't whistled since
he was a boy.
The next morning when he stepped
on the ToIrens porch the door sudden
ly opened and the young woman stood
on the threshold. She looked amazing
ly well without her hat and wonderful
" neat with her white collar and cuffs
"Mrs Torrens said you We're coming
up the street" she murmured, ''and
wanted to thank you for your kindness.
She Is lovely lady, and am to stay
and help her with her sewing for
week. at least. Thank you so much"
Carrier 400 walked up the street