Mr. Warfield had been a seeker after the nomination as member for Congress from that district almost as long as our hero could remember, and he well knew that he was still in the field—"in the hands of his friends," as he expressed it.
"Mr. Warfield," said the postboy, in his quiet, determined way, "I am not going to make any new promise, but I repeat those I have made, and when you have found me faithless to my duty I will willingly make room for Mr. Shag or any other man."
The mention of the name of the postmaster of Hollow Tree made the politician wince.
"Bah! he isn't half so competent to carry the mail as your horse, Jack."
"Still he is making all of this trouble, simply because he is mad with me for getting the route when he wanted it. There you have the truth in a nutshell."
CHAPTER VIII.
"I AM STANDING ON MY OWN FEET."
"I don't know but you are right, Dix. Still, you haven't explained the worst feature of your case. How came the missing package of mail in your possession?"
"I cannot tell. Some one must have put it there, but who or when, I cannot say."
"You said it was missing before you got to Hollow Tree?"
"No, sir. I said it was not in the pouch when I looked for it at the request of Mr. Shag; but you must remember I did not see the pouch until after he had examined it, and had had the opportunity to take it out if he had chosen."