64 CAROLINE.

Mode of applying for letters. The column.

whose names began with those letters, were to inquire at
that window, while those whose names began with any
other letters, were to go to the next window. As Beech-
nut’s name, Bianchinette, began with B, he went to the
first recess.

There were a number of men and boys formed in a
line here, or rather in a column, waiting for their turns
to inquire for letters. The one who was at the head of
this column was at the window. Beechnut took his place
at the foot of it. The man at the head of the column
soon got his letter, and went away. Then the next man
went up to the window, and the whole column advanced
one step. Thus as fast as those at the head of the column
received their letters, the column advanced, while at the
same time new-comers were continually joining in at the
foot of it. Thus the column continued always of nearly
the same length, being kept up by a constant succession
of persons going and coming.

Pretty soon, Beechnut got up near the window. He
could hear the men before him ask for their letters.
Those who were accustomed to come to the office, would
speak briefly,—simply giving their name; while those
who were strangers at the office, usually made a long
sentence of it, in speaking to the clerk. For instance,
the man who was next but two to Beechnut, put his
head to the window and said to the clerk inside, “ Is there
any letter here, to-day, for Samuel Thompson ? ” whereas,
the man who had preceded him simply said, speaking
very distinctly, “ George Jones.” This last was sufficient,
for as the clerk within was perfectly aware that nobody
came to that window for anything but letters, all that he
needed to be informed in respect to each new applicant