In one hand he held an envelope and in the other his straw hat.

George Ray, more observant than the rest, took note of the fact that it was with the hat that he was fanning himself vigorously.
"A plain vanilla--please rush it along," commanded the stranger.

Mr.
Lamson, if possible slower than the town itself, actually showed unmistakable signs of acceleration.

Tossing off the soda, the stranger dried his lips with a blue-hemmed white handkerchief.

"Is this the post-office ?" he asked.
"Yep," said Mr.Lamson, who was too penurious to waste words.
"Anything here for me ?" demanded the newcomer.
"I'll see," said the postmaster, and from force of habit began looking through the pile of letters without asking the man's name.