The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-07-29
Miscellaneous.
From Chambers Edinburgh Journal.
THE BATH POST-DOY.

1t was in tho carly part of tho last century,
when tho mail was transmitted from tho prin-
cipal towns of England in charge ola moun-
ted postman, with holster pistols and saddle
bars. and carried from the smaller ones by
poor boys, who received half penny milo
for serving the Post Office all wcathers, that
the Postmaster of Bath informed all whom
it might concern, by printed bill in the win
dow, that n smart active lad of fifteen or there
10y was required to carry the mail between
that town and Marlborough, at tho above
mentioned rates of wngcs.
The road was long and rough; and three
days had already passed, during which the
.asnai was carried by the Postmastcr's own
good boy, and man ofall work, much 10 his
discomfort, and the manifest dissatisfaction
s,o of the good people of Marlborough, to whom
,thcir letters camo several hours too late; but
no candidate for tho situation had yet pre-
scented himself At length, on the fourth
norning,w was that of sultry July day,
a thin, muscular, intelligent looking boy,
dressed in the hablimcnts of earlier years,
which he had evidently outgrown, made his
appearance, cap in hand, before Mr. Burton,
the senior clerk, and inquired, "Sir, if you
please. would be old enough 10 carry the
marlborough bag? Pm only fourteen yet,
butpll always be growing older and wiser
hope"
"And may he worse!" mu;tcrcd the clerk,
who happened TO he ont of temper that NOR
ming. "But step in here" he continued, poin-
ting to another room, "and Mr. Lcahcm
will sec what you're good for"
Mr. Lealhem was Il quietly elderly gentle
man who had kept the Post Office for sever
al years in the rich and gay city of Bath,
which was at the period of our story, the re-
sort of all the fj,shionables Of Britain, espcc-
tally i'll the summer season, resembling, in
'tat respect, what Brighton has since become.
lie spoke TO the boy more civilly than lis
'clcrk had done; said he considered him tall
enough for the business; and then he inGuir.
cd what was his name, where his parents
lived, mud if lie knew any respectable per
son who would give him n character for hon.
esiy md sobricty,as without such IA certificate
the Post Office could not employ him? Tho
boy answered that his name was RaIuh Al Hen
that his father had been a poor tradcsnan
but he was dead, and his mother supported
herselfhy taking iH washing; and 81 wasn't
brought up here, sir; but my mother cumc
in hopes of getting fine work from the gentry:
and here's II certificate froma kind gentle
man, the vicar Of our parish; used TO ran
brands for him, and he said it might be usc-
FIJI to mC:"
"This is to certify that Ralph Allen is a sen
sihlr, honest, industrious boy,aud hope will
cOntinuc 10 be so.
WILLIAM WARDURTON."
Said the Post Master, reading loud, "Wcll,
that's good certificate, though the writer is
unknown TO me; hut we will let it pass for
this time, and take you on trial"
After several CXhortaliOns to hq careful Of
the mail, AMI walk fast, that he might arrive
in time, Ralph Allen was duly equipped with
icathcrn bag. suspended ly strap over his
shoulder, containing all The letters and news
papers in those days transmitted 10 Narlbo-
rough, and sent forth TO earn the half penny
per mile.
Day after day he performed that appointed
Journey, through sun and shower, going and
coming to the entire satisfaction of the Posi-
Masters of Bath and Marlborough. Roads
were not then so convenient for travellers, moI
Aime so precious with the public, as ~ pres
enl; but Ralph was never known to locr hy
the way, or arrive an hour too late, which
could seldom be said Of other post-boys.-
Travellers between the towns soon began to
know him on the road, and remarked from
stage coach, wagon, or sadGlc--thC only
modes of conveyance in those days-that his
conduct was always careful and steady; and
,neople who did not travel trusted him with
small messages in consequence Of their re-
ports. fla lady wanted n fashionable cap
from Bath, or notable housc-kccpor some
,irihe which could he bought cheaper in MARI
borough. Ralph Allen was known TO be So
Der and less cXorbitant carrier than either the
.conchman or WAGNER, and he was pcricrrcd
accordingly. This was source Of addition
al gain, which Increased every day, till the
boy generally reached his destination in eth
er town laden with parcels of all sorts and
sizes, for the carriage Of which he received
from two pence to n fnrthing, as the case
might be, or the libcrality of his employers
dictated. How the short time allowed be-
tween the close of his daily duty and his
nightly rest was usually spent in his mothers
poor hut clean garrett, nobody could tell; Ill
Mr. Lenthem, who had by this time a very
high opinion of his postboy for general gooc
conduct and correctness in his station, in
quired one morning, while Ralph was wait
ing for the mail, what book was that pro
truding from his pocket?
''Its the Universal Spelling Book sir,
said Ralph, reddening rs no pulled out tin
well-worn volume. 81 try to learn at hom
in the little time that l have, and can nov
nearly read"
"That's well, my boy" said Mr. Loathen
81 wish the rest of our boys would spoEt
their leisure time So"
"And, sir" continued Ralph, now oncour
nged to speak out, 81 am trying to write, too
and got the master of the Blue Coat Schoo
10 give me n lesson sometimes for doing hi
messages, sir"
"You'll be a clerk yet, Ralph" said tn,
POSTMASTER, laughing. "But it is good en-
deavor, and | hope you will succeed; bu
mind be careful of the mail.'
His employers words turned out true, tho
spoken half in jest. Ralph continued t,
earn, by every honest though small way with
IN his roach his earnings were saved 10 pur
chase an old book when he could not borrow