Then it broke.
One morning an important-looking envelope lay in her letter-box.
It was long and puffy, and was stamped in the upper corner with a
picture of a brewery in full operation. One end bore an
inscription addressed to the postmaster, stating that in case Mr.
Thomas Grogan was not found within ten days, it should be returned
to Schwartz & Co., Brewers.
The village post-office had several other letter-boxes, faced with
glass, so that the contents of each could be seen from the
outside. Two of these contained similar envelopes, looking
equally important, one being addressed to McGaw.
When he had called for his mail, the close resemblance between the
two envelopes seen in the letter-boxes set McGaw to thinking.
Actual scrutiny through the glass revealed the picture of the
brewery on each. He knew then that Tom had been asked to bid for
the brewery hauling. That night a special meeting of the Union
was called at eight o'clock. Quigg, Crimmins, and McGaw signed
the call.
"Hully gee, what a wad!" said Cully, when the postmaster passed
Tom's big letter out to him. One of Cully's duties was to go for
the mail.
When Pop broke the seal in Tom's presence,--one of Pop's duties
was to open what Cully brought,--out dropped a type-written sheet
notifying Mr.
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