The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-08-24
MERELY A POSTMAN.
A Story of Heroism and Devotion
to Duty.

Postman Martin set out on his usual
round. The weather was frightful.
The rain hGd not ceased to fall for
over Week, and the roads were
Sloughs and quagmires. He had dis
tributed part of his letters, but his
round was far from being at an end
when he passed an insignificant coun-
try inn which stood on the outskirts
Of the wood, and served a double pur-
pose to the peasants Of the district
namely, grocery store and wine
shop.
"Hello! Stop a minute and give
me some information which I require,
and by that time this storm will be
over.''
A big woman came and served them,
and returned to her occupation.
"What a wretched business yours
IS, poStman. I hope YOU haven't
much farther to 60. but suppose YOU
90 as far as La Grande Grise and to
Plassis? | know some one who is
waiting for YOU impatiently there,
and as l am going that way. | could
save you going on by taking your let
ters for you
"Thank yon; l II deliver them my
self.''
"That's just like you, from what
l hear, and, after all, you are right.
It is your duty''
Still talking with loquacity that
the postman did not encourage, the
, stranger lifted the bag which the
postman had placed by his side, and
appeared to examine it,, as trying its
weight, turning it round in different
ways.
"Leave my bag alone, please" said
Martin, dryly. "You have mixed up
all my letters" "
The stranger humbly excused his
awkwardness, and added, "That can
easily be remedied.'
The postman emptied his bag be-
fore him, and began to classify his
letters. His interlocutor affected to
stand discreetly at a distance; but
threw furtive look over his shoulder
While the postman was so occupied,
he heard beside MIN a furious growl-
ing, and the stranger said, suddenly,
"Stop! Our dogs are fghting!"
The postman rose and took his dog,
whose present fury contrasted forci-
bly, with his usual gentleness, by the
collar. The animals behavior made
him more suspicious of the communi-
cative stranger.
He was about to replace the letters
in his bag, when the unknown man,
as if to see what the weather was,
opened the door. Instantly gust
of wind burst impetuously into the
room, filing it with thick smoke, and
catching up the letters on the table,
scattered them over the room.
The postman uttered an exciama-
ton Of anger.
'Bah! That is nothing,' said the
other. "We Will soon pick them
up;' and without taking any notice
of Martini 5 refusal Of his assistance,
he began to assist in recovering the
letters.
When they were gathered, the
postman closely examined them.
"Are there any missing?" said the
other.
"It seems to me that there was an
other letter. replied the postman.
"Oh, you've made mistake, or
else you've left it at the Office
"Well. it is poSsible,' said he, and
added to himself, ''it must be so.'
s However, he recommended his
erch. and looked under all the fur
rlre. but finding nothing, concluded
It his recollection was at fault. for
Re had watched his companion 5 move
Nenents. and it did not appear possible
! that he could have taken a letter.
Still, he hastened to leave, regret
ting that he had entered the inn. The
storm had greatly abated. The sun
illuminated the landscape before the
postman arrived at the nearest vii
lage.
A woman. still young. with an at
tractive and svmpatheti" rather than
remarkably beautiful face. stood al
Rndanndoor Of her house waiting for
BIsxtin. " she said. ''.you have
for me-
Madam Andre. ! have moth