The Donaldsonville chief., 1910-09-03
THE LOST
LETTER
By LAWRENCE ALFRED CLAY


UNDERSTANDINGS, ana the more LleJ
are in love the thicker the misunder
standings come along. Cupid sends
them as tests. Where two people In
love can't patch up misunderstood
ing and go ahead and be happier than
before they shouldn't marry.
It was little awkward in this case
that Miss Nina Farrand, school
teacher, was going on her summer
vacation the next morning, and so Mr.
James Clfngham of the insurance com
pany wouldn't have an opportunity to
drop in next evening and bring the
dove Of peace under his arm. Miss
Nina had as good as said that she
wouldn't write line while she was
gone, and he had as good as said that
his time would be fully occupied with
out writing private letters.
When Miss Nina reached her aunt's $
in the country she found it was five
miles from the nearest post office.
She had given Mr.. Clingham the ad-
dress before the spat On the way up
there she hoped the distance would be
20 miles, for she was cross yet, but
when told it was only five miles her
heart was like lead Five miles to
the post Office, and sometimes the
family did not send or go for whole
fortnight. Five dusty miles, and most
of the way uphill, and she and Mr..
Ciingham mad at each otheri
If there had been a post Office with
dc hn foT
head and braved 1t out, but five miles!
She wanted to weep. She wanted to
write a long letter the day she ar
rived, if only there had been a tele-
phone-but there wasn't!
Miss Nina waited five long days and
then she wrote She had heart, and
she wanted to spread it with the ink,
but it wouldn't do Mr. Clingham must
be taught lesson. She mentioned
that she had arrived, that she had
found her aunt about as usual. that
there were ho1lyhocks In the garden,
that 1t was dry weather and that
goose had chased her.
Mr.. Jones and his old horse and
wagon came jogging along on time,
and when the letter had departed the
schoolma'am felt relieved. Indeed,
she almost felt sure that the farmer
would bring her one in return. Mr.
Clingham might simply write that it
was his busy day-and the city was
dusty-and the comet didn't amount
to shucks-and he was going to the
ball game, and sign it: Your very
obedient servant" but 1t would be a
comfort. She went half a mile up the
road to meet Farmer Jones on his
return. She pretended she was look
ing for scenery.
Got you letter, by gol!" he shout
ed at her from point 20 rods of.
yes. got you letter, and it's post.
marked in the city. Bet it's from your
fellow. Whoa. Eph! Here's the
e-pistle.'
He started to draw 1t from the
pocket of his old lined duster, while
the heart of the young lady started up
a-tunking, but 1t wasn't there. He
searched other pockets. He looked
into his hat. He hunted over the
wagon No letter.
"Jerusha, but I've lost it!" he
finally admitted.
"Oh, Mr.. Jones!"
Now don't have a f1t, young lady.
The harness busted on me about four
miles back, and I got down to fix it.
must have lost the letter then. II |
was right at the foot of a hill, and |
there was cow looking over the
fence. I'll start right out in the morn
Ing and look for it."
But I'm so sorry!" walled Miss
Nina.
Som I, but don't have a fit. The
letter will be right there in the morn.
ing"
In the morning when Mr.. Jones
came along, Miss Nina insisted on
driving along with him. He was full
Of confidence that the letter would be
found, and when he finally reached
the foot of a particular hill he drew
rein and said:
Right here is where the harness
busted, and right here is where l gel
down. Well find that letter in q
iiffy."
The fatal spot was reached at last.
There on stone sat-not the lost
etter, but Mr.. Clingham himself! She
vas within twenty feet of him before
she saw him. They were staring at
zach other in the most awkward way,
when rumbling in the distance was
leard From down the road came a
lord of dust, and in the midst of it
,ouii be made out Farmer Jones and
lis old rig. The old horse was on the
'un and the old wagon was creaking
md the farmer was shouting and hold
ng letter up to view. He drew
learer. He stopped. He fIourished
he letter once more, and shouted:
Never lost the thing tall! Hole In
ny pocket, and it got into the lining
lest found 1t an hour. ago, and came
IN the ga11op."
The letter was handed down, and he
urned and headed for home. AS he
,ot along to Miss Nina's aunt she was
It the gate to ask:
We'll, did you find herr
Eyes"