The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1899-04-11

who were still at school.
It was little after three o'clock or
the afternoon Of the same day that 6
stranger entered the Downingyille
postoffice. Mabel was alone. She
noticed, as the man stepped up to the
general delivery, that he was vel
dressed, and perhaps between TWEEN
ty-five and thirty years of age. His
face was not a pleasant one, although
it did not suggest lack Of intelli'
gence. He came close to the window
and said:
"Is there a registered letter for IL.
P. Morganstone here?"
Such letter had come on the latest
mail, aud Mabel had placed it in tle
safe which stood in the corner. Sae
answered 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, I had forgotten. Well, ]
an stranger here, but I can show
you who I am all right" He searched
his pockets, taking out number Of
papers and letters. Two OF tie
latter he pushed through the window.
s'Ihere you see, miss-'M. P. Nor
ganstone, Watertown. Just give NE
the lester-it's very important for ne
to catch the up-train.
"But I can't give out a registere d
letter on such Identification. Nj.
Blodgett, the postmaster, has instruct
ME not ID do So"
Mabel's suspicious were beginning
to be slightly aroused by one thing
about the man. Twice since comm 3
up to the window he had glanced over
his shoulder at the door. She knew,
OF course, that it was her duty to de-
liver the letter it he could fully con-
vince her that It belonged to him; but
she determined to insist on identifcs,-
ton of the strictest kind, as matter
Of protection to herself and her en-
ployer.
"Wby. see here, I've got lots Of
registered letters on less Identifies
ton than this, and at larger Offices, "
the man said. you're going beyond
the rules
"No, I don't think I am. A post
master is responsible for registered
letters. If he delivers one to the
wrong person the rightful owner csn
hold him accountable. Mr.. Blodgett
is very particular. He has told ne to
deliver no such letters to strangers
except on Identification such as would
be satisfactory at bank. You must
know that there you would have to be
vouched for by some one known per-
sonally to the bank people,"
''I can describe the letter." vent on
the man, ignoring what she had said.
Large, oblong envelope. From J.
II. Smith, Riverside. Mailed this
morning. Isn't that right?"
Eyes, but I can't let you have ii
without proper Identification" Mabel
was becoming more suspicious of the
man every moment. His disappoint-
ment and worry over the situation
seemed to be bringing his true char
acter to the surface, and his face and
manner were rapidly growing less
gertle,nanly.
: '<Why, I never saw anything like
this. Do you know T can make trou'
bic for you with the department for
holding back my letter? You know /
am telling you the truth about who T
au, and you have no right to delay
my mail"
Mabel made no reply at all, but
held her ground at the window.
''Now see here, miss, 10 foolish
ness. I'm business man and my
time is worth money. I'm contrac~
tor, and that letter contains papers,
valuable to me, but Of no value to any
one else. Plans and specifications OF
g new factory I'm bidding for over a:
Watertown. Give it to me and lei
me catch my train. It's matter o.
dollars and cents to me-"
II cannot do it, was all that Mabel
said.
The man by this time was growing
very red in the face. and was glanc-
ing more nervously than ever over his
shoulder He hesitated moment,
and then, with little forced laugh,
went on in quieter tone:
'Of course maybe you're right ac-
cording to the strict rule. l don't
want you to get into any trouble on
my account I'll show you in an
other way that I'm telling the truth.
I'm going to bein town again in about
a week. I'll just deposit ten dollars
with you-you can give me a. receipt
and the letter, and if you find its all
right, as you will by that time, you
can give me back the money"
''No, there is no rule authorizing
any such thing"
"I'll leave you fifty dollars. Don't
you see 7 wouldn't do that if I didn't
know it would be all right, and I'd get
my money back?"
"Perhaps not, but it would be an
altogether irregular thing for me to
do"
"Why, you're unreasonable" cried
the man, again beginning to lose his
self-control. He pulled p roll of bills
from his pocket, and laid it down in
the window. "I'll make it a hundred
dollars, yes, two hundred" and he
pushed in four ffty-dollar bills. 'I'll
miss big contract if I don't get that
letter instantly. Give it to me! Never
mind about writing a receipt tor tho