Page:The mislaid uncle (IA mislaiduncle00raym).pdf/45

 mark most Baltimore homes, and the ring of an electric bell that the expressman touched:

"A 'parcel' for Joseph Smith. Billed from San Diego, Cal. Live here, eh?"

It was a colored man in livery who replied:

"Yes, suh. Mister Joseph Smith, he done live here, suh."

"Sign, please. That is, if you can write."

"Course I can write. I allays signs parcels for Mister Smith, suh. Where's the parcel at, suh?" returned the liveried negro.

"Sign. I'll fetch it," came the prompt answer.

Old Peter signed, being the trusted and trustworthy servant of his master, and returned the book to the agent's hands, who himself returned to the carriage, lifted out Josephine and Rudanthy, conveyed them up the glistening steps, and left them to their fate.