He folded the first with a steel letter file, two inches and a quarter wide, and docketed it,—"Received June 11. Respectfully referred to Next Friday, Esq., P.M."
When the boatswain heard of Mr. Friday, he thought it was surely Robinson Crusoe.
But the next letter, unread, was filed and docketed—"Respectfully referred to Next Saturday, Esq., A.M."
"P.M. and A.M.," cried the boatswain; "they have masters of arts here as well as postmasters."
"Not at all," said the governor severely; "A.M.—Ante-Meridiem; P.M.,—Post-Meridiem"; and without reading the next letter, he filed it, and indorsed it,—"Respectfully referred to Next Sunday, Esq., M."
"Young man," said he, "I shall examine and file this letter on Friday afternoon; this one on Saturday morning; this on Sunday noon. Let all things be done regularly and in order."
The mate and boatswain were alarmed. They hastily finished their bean-soup and fled to the boat, returning with six men, who rolled a barrel of junk up the well-kept gravel walk.
"Invoice?" said the governor.
There was no invoice.
"Prepare an invoice."