New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-08

Year In. year out for thirty years Simon Nerri-
oeW had driven the mail cart that plies between
of Culverton
II was his duty to start from Culverton in the
AFTERNOON with the outgoing mails drive them to
Ihetbridge. and return with the incoming letter
oass on the arrival Of tie night mail at ? a m.
The distance from Culverton TO Thetbridge was
twelve miles. along lonely road
Simon used to reach Thetbridge at in the even
ms "hen 1t was his practice. after seeing 70 his
morse and having his supper. sleep the Three
COWS Inn till il was time 70 prepare for the re-
turn journey. His home was at what he called the
GulVerton end OF the job"
But one evening in November he departed from
MS hdcllual programme in 50 far that. having de-
horse he disreearied fbs stSri Jfsb ~ ri i.s
stew awaiting him i'm the t1p~0orn and yTenfed bis
way up IhetbrIdge-st- a jolly hailfeIlow vell-met
ances that night, but with bent head pursued his
course III he came TO the big draper's shop Of
Pushing open the glass door he stood blinking IN
Co11,1-~S elI oLt1e OF AshL Inc assistants at tne
goods Tor the night. glanced curiOusly SimOn's
looked Ike a customer \ shopwaIker approached
Il was afeard I'd ind YOU closed" he replied DIFF
Royston Ny names n1eTridSv NY o' 'ii
, An. yes said The shopwaker. with gesture of
Merridew that's in our lace department Went
nome nome Ill month ago. didn't she? hope the young
I'm her father. and she's a sight worse" simon
rtRHed- Can see The governor"
ALe SutpWalker said that he would inquire. with
counting house at the far end OF the shop. where
table Uttered with books and papers. Facing him
Al the other side of the table sat young man who
thing OF wistfuI eaFerness
Il made bold to call about my daughter sir as
works here Simon began. addressing the elder OF
the two Shes mortal bad to-day-not I think
she's really worse. but she's worrting because the
month gave her to get well is up and she's not
NJ 20 come back The doctor says it would do her
a power or good II you could ease her mind by let
Ung 9er know that you'd kindly keep the place
open tOr her a DIT longer
The old driver delivered himself nervously. for
no mad been warned by his sick daughter that the
known a hard man. devoid of compassion ex-
cept when he could defy twist 1t into advertise
81 shall do nothing Of the sort" he said harshIy
Miss Merridew is not valuable the firm that
can afford to play pranks with my rules on her
1T win KIN my child. sir" answered Simon with
Nonsense.,' retorted the linen draper. shes not
the girl to die fot lack OF work-always making
known TO himself. Royston, ST. made a very ugly
eye at Royston, jr. the other side Of the table
edFer and put him 1d down as eaaa% 4E h
work so diligently while Margery Merridews life
IL that is your last word sir IT Is my Margery's
death warrant" Simon faltered. the tears coming
oh yes. it's my last word right enough. and it
I have written by to-nights post to your daughter
dispensing with her services, RoystOn clustered.
at the same time pointing TO the door OF the
counting house In a manner not TO be misunder-
stood.
So. in sore detection Simon Merridew went his
way. and as he discussed with poor appetite the
supper long grown cold he pOndered deeply on
Margery's devotion to such a hearties5 employer.
Ihat the effects OF her attack Of influenza would
already have disappeared but for anxiety about
| her situation the doctor had assured him. while
warning MIN that continuance OF the anxiety
would send her into rapid decline The girl 5
weakness and depression had been SO great when he
started from CulvertOn this the last day OF her
| leave OF absence that he had decided the per-
sOnal appeal to Mr.. RoystOu.
I've never held with strikers and such me being
| q Guv ment servant. but it's enough make one
/ insolence, the old man muttered, he pushed his
plate aside. Making eyes at the men, tool That
/ amt Margery's way, I'll bet II she wasn't set
on II I'd be right down glad she wasn't going back
70 chap that salves his conscience by bringing
/ false charge against innocent girl
He drained his beer, and instead OF remaining
! Tor a chat with the frequenters Of the taprOom
1 went straight to the which he occupied over
the stable. to avoid disturbing the house when
he rose IN the middle OF the night. There he slept
till 1t time to put the horse in. but his sleep
was htful. for the germ OF temptation was work
/ ing I'm his mind.
| That germ did not take final shape TIL he had
i loaded his cart with the mail bags at the post
/ office and had driven out OF the town into the
quiet country. IL was crisp starlit night. with
high hung moon three-qUarters fun. and there
being stress Of weather to contend with he was
| able To give free play 10 his thoughts
1t IS terrible hard that I have to be the one
TO carry that letter. he unused. ElanCing askance
at the CulvertOn mail bag which Law at his feet
a giant among the lesser bags for surrounding
| ytllages-'and yet II seemingly gives me a chance
/ shouldn't otherwise get Ciee-up. POlly!'-thi5
TO the mare-'ft don't do to think"
But for all that 5 he drove along between the