The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-27
The CulVertOn Nail Bag.

Year in, year out, for so years. Simon
MerrideW had driven the mail cart
that plies between Thetbridge- Junction
and the outlying market town of Gull
verton-
It was his duty to start from Gull
verton in the afternoon with the out
going mails, drive them to Thetbridge,
and return with the incoming letter
bags on the arrival of the night mail
at 2 a. m. The distance from Culver
ton to Thetbridge was u miles, along
a lonely road
Simon used toreach Thetbrfdge at s in
the morning, when it was his practice,
after seeing to his horse and having his
supper, TO sleep at the Three Cows
inn till IT was time to prepare for the
return journey. His home was at what
he called the .'CulvertOn end of the
jop."
But one evening in November he de
parted from his habitual programme in
so far that. having delivered his mails
at the postofice and stabbed his horse,
he disregarded the steaming dish of
Irish stew awaiting him in the tap
room and wendell his wap up TheI-
bridge street A jolly. ha1l-fellOW-Well-
met old man as a rule, he had no eyes
for acquaintance that night, but, with
bent head pursued his course till he
came to the big diapers shop of Roy
ston & Son.
Pushing open the glass door he stood
blinking in the sudden blaze of light.
The assistants at the counters now III
the midst of putting away the goods
for the night, glanced curiously at 81
mons weather-oeaten face and wiry
form, for he hardly looked like GUS
toner. A shopwalker approached him
and asked what ne wanted
I was afeared I'd find you closed,
he replied difidently. I want to see
Mr.. Royston-oId Mr.. Royston- My
names Merridew."
| "Ah, yes" said the shopwalker, with a
he
/ a relative OF Miss Merridew that's IN
/ our lace department. Went home Ill a
month ago, didn't she? hope the
young lady is better
Tn her father, and she's a sight
worse" Simon replied. Can see the
| GOVERNOR"
The shopwaIker said that he would
( inquire with the result that Simon was
ushered into a. glass counting mouse
at the far end Of the shop. wherein {
stout pursy man of sixty-6ve was
seated at a table Uttered with books
and papers. Facing him at the other
side af the table sat a young man Whe
looked up quickly at Simon's entrance
Il made bold to call about my
daughter, sir, as works here Simon
/ began, addressing the elder OF the two
shes mortal bad todaY-not as
rowing because the month you gave
her to get well is up, and she's not II
+ to come back. The doctor says 1t Woulc
do her a power of good If you coulc
ease her mind by letting her know
that you'd kindly keep the place oper
for her bit longer"
The old driver delivered himsel
nervously. for he had been warned bl
his sick daughter that the appeal weulS
be useless. Mr. Royston, ST., was known
as a hard man, devoid OF compassion
except when he could deity twist /
into an advertisement His answel
| showed that he was not going bacl
! on his reputation
7 shall do nothing of the sort" h
said harshly. Miss Merridew is not 81
/ valuable to the firm that I can afforC
to play pranks with my rules on he
behalf
TT will kill my child. sir" answered
Simon with puckered brow.
Nonsense" retorted the lien draper
/ She's not the girl to die for lack O
| Work-aIways making eyes at tn
men" And for some reason best known
/ TO himself, Royston, ST.. made yer.
ugly eye at Royston, jr., on the othe
side of the table. Simon glanced a
the young man poring over his ledge
and put him down as equally heartles
to work so diligently while Marger.
MerrideW's life was at stake.
If that is your last word sir. it Il
my Margery'S death warrant" Simon
faltered. the tears coming into hi
eyes.
'Oh, yes, it's my last word RICH
enough. and it may save your breati
and my time to tell you that I hav'
written by tonight's post to you
daughter dispensing with her services.
! Royston clustered. at the same tim
pointing to the door of the counting
house in a manner not to be misunder
stood.
So, in sore detection. Simon Merri
dew went his way. and as he discusses