The Springdale news., 1912-07-26

that letter, seeing this one comes un- der frank from Washington. No, sir T couldn't make out who was cor responding with the president, and 1t worried me, not knowing, more than anything I've had to contend against since 1 came into office. l calculate there ain't a postmaster in the United States takes more personal interest in the service than ne. 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 MT Wesley sometimes canceled as many as three or four stamps In a single day he might have been par doned his pride In brain which thus lightly dealt with the burden Of otfi- cial business. He surrendered the letter with marked reluctance
 Your surmise is correct said the judge with dignity. "I had occasion to write my friend, General Jackson, and unless I 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 2" cried MT. Wesley.
 Why not? Does 1t surprise you '" Inquired the judge It 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.
 No, I don't know as 1t does, judge. Naturally public man like him Is in the way of meeting with all sorts A politician cant afford to be too blame particular. Well. next time you write you might just send Jim my regards C. W. NJ. de L. Nesiey's regards there was considerable contention over my getting this office; I reckon Ne ain't forgot. There was speeches made 1 understand the He was passed between two United States senators, and that qaid of tobacco was throwed in anger. Having thus clear y established the fact that he was a more or less aationaI character, Mr Wesley took himself off
 When he had disappeared from sight down the street, the judge closed the door. Then he picked up the let ter. For long minute he held 1t in his hand, uncertain, fearful, while his mind slipped back into the past unti! lis inward searching vision ferreted oat handsome soidierly tigure-his own.
 That's what Jackson remembers if he remembers anything he nut tered, as with trembling fingers he broke the seal Almost instantly a smile overspread his battered fea- t4res. He hitehed his chin higher and squared his ponderous shoulders T lm not forgotten-no. damn it-no," Ae exulted under his breath Recalls ne with sincere esteem and eonsid- CTS my services to the country as well worthy Of =reeognition-" the judge bfeathed deep What would Mahaty ind 10 say now Certainly thIs was Well calculated te disturb the sour cynieism of his friend Ills bleared eyes brim.2ed After all his groping he had touched hands with the reali- ties at last Even a federal judgeship though not an office of first repute in the south, had its dignity--it signified something! He would make Solomon his clerk The judge reached for his hat. Nahafry must know at once that fortune had mended for them. Why, receipt of an income.
 He sat down, the better to enjoy the unique sensation. Taxes were be- ing levied and collected with no other end in view than his stipend-his ar dent fancy saw the whole machinery of government in operation for his benefit. It was a singular feeling he experienced Then promptly his spendthrift brain became active. lie needed clothes-so did Mahany-so did his grandson; they must take a larger house; he would buy himself a man servant. these were pressing ne- cessities as he now viewed them
 Once again he reached for his hat; the desire to rush of to Belle Plain was overmastering
 T reckon Id be justified in hiring conveyance from Pegloe, he thought, but just here he had a say Ing memory Of his unfinished task i; that claimed precedence and he re- sumed his pen.
 
 An hour later Pegloes black boy presented himself to the judge He came bearing gift, and the gift ap- propriately enough was a square case bottle or respectable size. The judge was greatly touched by this attention. but he began by making a most tenn perate Use Of the tayern-keepers of. fertng then as the formidable docu- ment he was preparing took shape un- der his hand he more and more lost that feeling of Spartan fortitude