Not only were there those on the business of the Mica Company, but Mr.
Darby, the storekeeper at Akeville, thought it necessary to send a
message to Hetertown by the new line, and there were two or three other
private telegrams, that would probably never have been sent had it not
been for the novelty of the thing.

But that rascal, Jim Haskins, did not make his appearance, and when
Harry found that it was not likely that he would come at all, he induced
Aunt Judy to go out and look for some one to carry the telegrams to
Hetertown. Harry had just finished copying the messages--and this took
some time, for he wrote each one of them in official form--when Aunt
Judy returned, bringing with her a telegraphic messenger.

It was Uncle Braddock.

"Here's a man to take yer letters," said Aunt Judy, as she ushered in
the old man.

Harry looked up from his table in surprise.

"Why, Uncle Braddock," said he, "you can't carry these telegrams. I want
a boy, on a mule or a horse, to go as fast as he can."

"Lor' bress ye, Mah'sr Harry," said the old negro, "I kin git along fas'
enough. Aunt Judy said ye wanted Jim, an' Nobleses mule; but dat dar
mule he back hindwards jist about as much as he walks frontwards. I jist
keep right straight along, an' I kin beat dat dar ole mule, all holler.
Jist gim me yer letters, an' I'll tote 'em ober dar fur ten cents. Ye see
I wuz cotched on dis side de creek, an' wuz jist comin ober to see Aunt