The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1902-02-14
VOL. XLVII--NO T

next room. Then we can discuss this
matter calmly and" smiling. with
less noise"
That's reasonable" said young
John. And forthwith old John SyIves-
ter and four others. fathers in the COM
munity, retired with the inspector to
convince him that there was but one
thing to dot to appoint a white man
In the neGro's place
lis there anything against the black
mans charactcr?" asked Tcrril.
we don't concern ourselves with
the character of niggrrs." answered
Sylvester maj"Stically. Jones is a mig
ger, and that in itself is enough
against him.
Ierrll, who saw that he might as
well have talked to the younger men,
said but little until he had heard all
Sides Of the question. When he re-
turned to the main room and noted
the determined faces before him. he
made his decision promptly, but pri-
vately.
1T will teach them a lesson" he
thought to himself. land. besides,
want to get back to Washington"
"GCntIcmcn." he said aloud, this
matter cannot lie decided Mt once. l
shall have to explain the situation at
headquarters. In the meantime my
instructions are to remove your post.
office to the county seat"
There was look of diSmav Oh the
faces of his hearers.
Tl-1tN
our mail" said one man.
How long will it he before we have
our own office back" asked another.
'Oh, it may not take long to decide"
said Icrril smoothly. Before they had
finished talking about it lac had gath
cred up the money orders. stalnps and
other government property. dismissed
the assistant and WAS on his way to
the county seat. At the postotiice
there he deposited the effects. with the
necessary instructions, tclegraphcd the
railway service not to put off any
mail at Battletown and then fretted
and fumed at the twelve hour wait
until he could take the train to Wash
lngton. En- route he drafted his re-
port and wound up with. I'm view of
the foregoing facts and circumstances
l have the honor to recommend that
the postotlice at BattlctOwn he discon-
hnued for an indefinite period, de-
pendent upon the behavior Of the citf-
zens of the town.
When Terril reached his hotel after
q three days absence from Washing
hn n hn 1XN-r
of which made his heart beat faster.
His face was study as he read:
MY Dear Mr. Terrl--I left Washington
unexpectedly the same day you did,
though by the afternoon train. Did
never tell you that / lived in Eattlotown?
When reached home, just fancy my sur
prise when l heard that you had been
here. gone away and taken our pOstofiice
with you. How could you be so cruel?
1 felt very Indignant with you. especial-
ly so this morning. because | had TO drive
eight miles for my mail. But just now,
when | was handed your vioctS which
my hostess sent after me, my Indignation
cooled perceptibly. and now l want to tell
you how much l appreciate your kind
ness. The violetS are still fresh and
lovely
In your note you ask that l write you
an occasional letter from my southern
home. Under ordinary circumstances
should De pleased 10 DO so, out consider.
am writing this eight miles from home
for convenience sake and must come al
far for an answer.
Cousin John Sylvester says this state OF
affairs may not last long. Do give US a
nice white postmaster. Mr.. Tcrril. and
then l shall send you the prettiest note OF
thanks l can write. Cordially yours,
GRACE DEANE.
First Terril laughed. next Terril
frowned. then Terril thought hard and
tore up his carefully wordcd report. He
rewrote it quite as carefully and wound
up with. I'm view of the foregoing
facts and circumstances | have the
honor to recommend that the present
incumbent he renewed and a white
man be appointed in his stead"
"After all" he said to himself apollo
getically, at is far the simpler way"