Page:The leopard's spots - a romance of the white man's burden-1865-1900 (IA leopardsspotsrom00dixo).pdf/232



ASTON called at the post-office to get his mail. One relief the Cleveland administration had brought Hambright—a decent citizen in charge of the post-office. Dave Haley had given place to a Democrat and was now scheming and working with McLeod for the "salvation" of it the state, which of course meant for the old slave trader the restoration of his office under a Republican administration. If the South had held no other reason for hating the Republican party, the character of the men appointed to Federal office was enough to send every honest man hurrying into the opposite party without asking any questions as to its principles.

Sam Love, the new postmaster was a jovial, honest, lazy, good-natured Democrat whose ideal of a luxurious life was attained in his office. He handed Gaston his mail with a giggle.

"What's the matter with you, Sam?"

"Nuthin' 'tall. I just thought I'd tell you that I like her handwriting," he laughed.

"How dare you study the handwriting on my letters, sir!"

"What's the use of being postmaster? There ain't no big money in it. I just take pride in the office," said Sam genially. "That's a new one, ain't it?"

Gaston looked at the letter incredulously. It was a