"Just one moment." "Don't you take out dat letter! It ain't fer yous!" expostulated the messenger.

"Here's your letter." But the "General," with watering mouth, was already feverishly devouring a violet-colored note beginning, "Darling Guy," his bulbous nose close to the paper and scenting scandal in every line -- that is, he devoured it until, quite unexpectedly, the bantam squared off and proceeded to hand him a few "upper cuts," "hooks," and straight leads from the shoulder, until the scandalmonger howled for mercy.

But the bantam had his instructions.
"No!" says he.

Bing! "I'll teach you to read other people's letters!" Bing! "I'll show yous what yous'll get if yous violates de United States mail--see ?" Bing! "Read Mr .-- --'s letter, will yous ?" Bing! "Not wit' me here--see ?" Bing! Bing! "You white- haired old son of a printing-press!" Hennessey's description, on his return to the office, of the "General's" appearance at the conclusion of his drubbing was eminently satisfactory; and he forthwith exchanged his messenger's uniform for his Broadway regalia and a crisp one-hundred dollar bill.

That is the only time, so far as I ever learned, that the "General" ever got his real deserts; but I am glad that he did, for once.