Show A pounds worth of stamps and the cash all in coppers 7 I 1 can t take it you must bring silver said the postmistress to an old irishwoman but mr johnson seat for them said the irishwoman cant help it said the tress who was an old maid and as crusty as it she had been hard baked faith and sure marm said the irishwoman I 1 can t go ridout em but I 1 say said the postmistress I 1 won t take copper and she banked the little door in the old woman s face the inshaw oman was nonplussed for a minute or so and then a brilliant idea occurred to her which she put into operation at once taking a penny from the bag she knocked at the little door with it well what do you wanta said the old maid opening the door Is this the postoffice post office marma said the irishwoman politely you know it is snapped the old maid plaze marm do you sell of course I 1 do would you be after giving me one then marma said the irishwoman the postmistress could not refuse this request though a pound s worth of copper was not a legal tender a penny most certainly wa and she handed out the stamp and swept he penny into the drawer thank you kindly said the irish woman and the door banged to again in a few seconds another rap at the door brought up the old maid again who was getting her tea VI ell what is it ie demanded angrily sure marm I 1 m thinking be wanting a stamp said the Irl an with a look of innocence ten inches deep and she put a penny down the old maid in giving her the stamp brought her open hand down with a thwack on the desk that would have caused a mortal explosion in a black beetle and her looks would have turned beer into vinegar on the spot thank you kindly said the irish woman again with a curtsy that made the old maid blush and wish that shearing gasn wasn t a sin and the door went to with an extra bang in a few minutes more there was another rap at the door and the old maid sprang from the tea table with something that did sound just a little like an oath but which we hepe was not one what do you want nowa she said to the old dame looking in at the lit tie doorway I 1 think have a stamp honey was the answer delivered with most exasperating humility here then said the old maid with a look of hate that would burn a hole through a firebrick it it could have been converted into force where 11 I 1 pu it on the letter said the old lady coaxingly go hang yourself you old hag said the furious postmistress and the faith an sure marm I 1 can t go wid out em door went to with a bang that shook the whole building another rap presently and then the old maid let out something beginning alth a big D but she turned it into something else at the last minute and looked round for some weapon for there was murder in her heart but it was no use she knew the old dame was within her rights and with hands clenched till the nails entered the flesh she again opened the little door diaze marm is this a said the irishwoman with a look childlike and bland and then the post mistress went off ater dancing round the room like a gushing ahng of fifteen summers and upsetting the tea table in her avra v eions she clapped her hands together in an ecstasy of boundless rage and madness sure marm its good news been havin this morning yo re EO live ly said the old lady outside and then the gushing maiden went off aga n jumping like an india rubber ball plaze do vou sell stamps herec said the irishwoman putting her head ins de oh dear oh dear sighed the postmistress after her exhausting ex arcise wl alever do you want nowa be troubling you for a stamp I 1 m thinking said her tormentor very well there it Is said the old 1 II 11 be troubling you for a stamp I 1 m thinking said her tormentor maid with an effort to be calm that shortened her life several hours oh thank you kindly said the bel dame outside and the little door went to once more this time with a gentler swish than before after listening awhile the tress hearing nothing more sat down on a chair and wondered what irish women and this one in particular were made for then she wondered if it would be possible to lure this one inside and cut her throat and then she felt like crying and then she looked at her broken teacups and the comforting tea that was wasted and then she crouched down in a corner and opening a drawer put her head inside it and swore a volley of fern nine oaths into it in a hoarse whisper this comforted her for a minute and then came that awful rap at the little door again with a groan that seemed to come all the way from her toes she rose to her feet and walked round the room two or three times to cool herself and she opened the door cgale A stamp if ye plaze said the am poster outside with a smile of super human innocence how many do you want said the humbled postmistress oh sure marm only one at pres ent ill be comin again soon maybe it s a rale good customer be marm and she turned away take them now please said the i old maid in a faint choking voice take copper liverpool eng 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