Page:California Inter Pocula.djvu/285



lines dispensing  the  ordinary  edibles  of  the  table. Finally, after  long  and  tiresome  waiting,  the  office  win- dow is opened  and  the  line  moves  forward  at  the  rate of a  step  in  about  three  minutes.

Standing in  those  lines  through  hours  that  seem  like ages, outwardly  jocund,  but  inwardly  bleeding,  the cursings and  ribald  jests  that  fall  upon  the  ear  mingling discordantly with  the  purest  strains  of  human  affections awakened by  tender  thoughts  and  heart-longings,  a rare  opportunity  offers  us  to  see  of  what  stuff  these men are  made. They are  rough-looking  fellows,  most of them,  even  if  our  post-office  be  located  in  San  Fran- cisco. Many of  them  fossil- featured  with  bronze coniplexion, shaggy-haired  and  unshaven,  have  torn shirts and  ragged  pantaloons;  while  their  heavy  boots and slouched  hats  are  so  worn  and  full  of  holes  as scarcely  to  hold  together. Are they  not  what  they seem ? Does their  aspect  in  any  way  belie  them  ;  or see  we  here  men  of  sovereign  and  elastic  natures  so disguised  that  even  their  mothers  would  not  know them ?

Look into  their  eyes  as  you  go  along  the  line  and tell me  if  you  discovered  much  that  you  dare  trifle with ;  look  under  the  unkempt  hair  and  tell  me  if  vou find no  intellect,  and  through  the  worn  vestures  t^nd tough, storm-beaten  flesh-coverino-s  down  into  the heart whence  ebb  and  flow  the  issues  of  life  and  tell me if  you  see  there  no  pleasing  pictures,  no  gardens or palaces  where  truth  and  loveliness  sit  enshrined. If you  would  know  somewhat  of  them,  regard  them attentively as  they  receive  and  read  their  letters ;  for he who  can  open  a  letter  from  the  home  he  has  not heard from  for  months  without  a  flush  or  quickened pulse is  either  a  very  courageous  or  a  very  callous man. This letter-opening  at  very  wide  intervals  is  a sort  of  gambling  with  fate,  in  which  hope  not  unfre- quently stakes  happiness  against  fearful  odds.

On nearino;  the  window  the  face  leng-thens  and  looks anxious. The name  is  given,  and  the  response  comes