Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1912-08-01
CHAPTER XXX.
The Judae Reoelves a Letter.

After he had parted with Solomon
Mahaffy the Judge applied himself
diligently to shaping that miracle
working document which he was pre-
pairing as an Offset to whatever risk
he ran in meeting Fentress. Az SAN
guine as he was sanguinary he conf
IDENTITY expected to survive the en-
counter, yet It was we'll to provide for
a possible emergency-had he not his
grandson's future to consider7 While
thus occupied he saw the afternoon
stage arrive and depart from before
the City Tavern.
Half an hour later Mr.. Wesley, the
postmaster, came sauntering up the
street. In his hand he carried a let
ter
'Howdy,' he drawled, from just be-
yond the judges open door.
The judge glanced up, his quill pen
poised aloft.
Good evening, sir; won't you step
inside and be Beated?' he asked gra-
ciously His dealings with the United
States mail service were OF the most
Insignificant description, and in per-
sonally delivering a letter. If this was
what had brought him there, he felt
Mr. Wesley had reached the limit OF
official courtesy and despatch,
We'll. sir; II looks like you'd never
told us moro than two-thirds OF the
truth" said the postmaster. He sur
veyed the Judge curiously.
Il nm complimented By your opir
ion Of my veracity," responded tnat
gentleman promptly. Il consider E@o-
thirds On enormously high per cent
70 have achieved"
There is something in that too
agreed Mr. Wesley, Who Is Colonel
Slocum Price TurberYille7"
The Judge started up from his
chair.
II have that honor" said he. bow
ing.
well, here's o letter come In a0-
dressed like that, and as you've been
using part OF the name am willing
to assume you're legally entitled to
the rest Of It. 1t clears up q point
that on and on has troubled me con
siderable. ] can only wonder l want
smarter"
what point, may / askH"
why, about the time you hung out
your shingle here, some one wrote a
letter TO General Jackson. II was
mailed after night, and when seen II
in the morning ! was clean beat
couldn't locate the handwriting, and
yet l kept that letter back a couple OF
days and give 10 all my spare time,
1t amt that I'm one OF your spying
Bort--theres nothing OF the Yankee
about mel"
Certainly not" agreed the Judge.
Candid, Judge. / reckon you wrote
that letter, seeing this one comes un.
der frank from Washington. No, sir
II couldn't make out who was cor,
responding with the president, and II
worried me, not knowing, more than
anything I've had to contend against
since ! came into Office. / calculate
there amt a postmaster in the United
States takes q more personal interest
in the service than me. I've frequent
ly set patrons right when they was
in doubt as to the date they had
mailed such and such a letter" AS
Mr.. Wesley sometimes Cancelled az
many as three or four stamps in @
single day he might have been par
doned his pride in brain which thus
lightly dealt with the burden OF Off.
cial business. He surrendered the
letter with marked reluctance.
"Your surmise is correct" said the
Judge with dignity. 81 had occasion
to write my friend, General Jackson,
and unless ] am greatly mistaken
have my answer here" And with a
fine air Of indifference he tossed the
letter on the table.
And do you know Old Hickory"
cried Mr., Wesley.
why not? Does 1t surprise your"
inquired the judge. 1t was only his
innate courtesy which restrained him
from kicking the postmaster into the
street, so intense was his desire to
be rid Of him.
mo, don't know as It does, Judge
Naturally public man like him is in
the way Of meeting with all sorts. A
politician can't afford to be too blame
particular. Well, next time you write
you might just send him my regards
G. w. M. de l.. Wesley's regards
there was considerable contention
over my getting this office; reckon
he amt forgot. There was speeches
made, / understand the lie was passed
between two United States senators
and that q quid of tobacco was
throwed in anger" Having thus clear
ly established the fact that he was q
more or less national character, Mr.
Wesley took himself OF.
When he had disappeared from
sight down the street, the judge closed
the door Then he picked uD the let