Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-07-07
FiOs Chambers Edinburgh 10
The Bath POst-BOy.

P'"N'P"' N""s VI Eilgianu IN charge oil
mounted postman, with hoster.pistols an
saddle-bags, and carried from the smalle
ones by poor boys, who received half pen
ny mile for serving the Post Office in al
weathers, that the Postmaster Of Bath in
formed all whom ii might concern, by
printed bill IN the window, that smart &C
i've lad OF fifteen or thereby was required /,
carry the mail between that town and Mari
borough, al the aforementioned rates o
wages.
The road was long and rough and tire,
days had already passed, during which III,
mail was carried by the Postmaslers owr
good boy, and man-of. al.work, much TO hi.
discomfort, aud the manifest dissatisfaction
OF the good people Of Marlborough, to
whom their letters came several hours too
late; but no candidate for the situation had
yet presented himself At length, on the
lourih morning, which was that Of a sultry
July day, thin, muscular, intelligent look.
ing boy, dressed IN the habilments Of EARL.
er years, which he had evidently oulgrown,
made his appearance, cap in hand, before
Mr. Burton, the senior clerk, snd inquired,
Sir, II you please, would he old enough
to carry the Marlborough bagl I'm only
fourteen yet, but III always be growing old.
or aud wiser hope"
And may be worse - mutiered the
clerk, who happened to be out Of temper
mat morning, "But step in here" he con.
tnued, pointing to another room, "and Mr.
LeaIhem will see what you're fit for"
Mr. Leathem was quiet elderly gentleman
who had kept the Post Office for several
years in the rich and gay city Of Bath.
which was at the period Of our story, the
resort Of all the fashionables Of Britain. es.
peclally IN the Summer season, resembling.
IN that respect, what Brighton has since be-
come. He spoke TO the boy more ciyilly
than his clerk had done said he consider.
ed him tall enough for the business; aud
then he inquired what was his name, where
his parents lived. and if he knew any re.
spectacle person who would give him a
character for honesty and sobtiety, ms with.
out such certificate the Post Office could
not employ him 7 The boy answered that
his name was Ralph Allen that his father
had been poor tradesman, but he was
dead. and his mother supported herself by
taking in washing; aud II wasn't brouqh,
up here, sir 4; but my mother came in homes
OF getting fine work from the gentry; and
here's certificate from kind gentleman.
the vicar OF our parish used to run er.
rands Tor him, and he said il might be use.
fu TO me: :"
This is TO certify that Ralph Allen is a
sensible, honest, industrious boy, and /
hope will continue to be so.
WILLIAM WARBuRroH."
said the Postmaster. reading loud. "Well,
that BV0u NS'''aSssS, ssVugh tuc wInrI I
Is unknown to me- but we will let ii pass
for this time, and take you on trial"
Alter several exhouations to be careful
Of the mail, and walk fast, that he might
arrive IN time, Ralph Allen was duly equip
ped with lealhern bag. suspended by
strap over his shoulder, containing all the
letters and Newspapers in those days trans.
mitted to Marlborough, and sent forth to
earn the half penny per mile
Day after day he performed that appoint
ed journey, through sun and shower, going
and coming TO the entire satisfaction Of the
Postmasters Of Bath and Marlborough.-I
Roads were not then so conyeniei.s for tray. |
elers, nor time so precious with the public. |
as at present; hut Ralph was never known
to loiier by the way, nor arrive an hour 90
late, which could seldom be said Of other
Posl-boys. Travellers between the towns
soon began 10 know him on the road, and re.
marked from stage-cosch wagon or saddle I
the only modes Of conveyance in those
days-thai his conduet was always careful
and steady and people who did not travel I
trusted hun with small messages in eonsr- |
quence OF their reports. II lady wanted 4
fashionable cap from Bath, or notable I
house.keeper some trihe which could be .
bought cheaper in Marlborough, Ralph A. 1
len was known 10 be a sober aud less exor.
bitant carrier than either the eoaehman or
WAGNER, and he was preferred accordingly.
This was source Of additional gain, which |
increased every day, till the boy generally
reached his destination in either town laden .
with parcels Of all sorts and sizes, for The
carriage Of which he received from two
pence to farIhing, as the case might be,
or the llberalily Of his employers dictated.
How the short ii ne allowed between the
close Of his daily duty and his nightly rest
was usually spent in his mothers poor but
clean garrett, nobody could tell TIL Mr.
Leathem, who had by this time a very high
opinion OF his poslboy for general good con
duct and correctness in his station, inquired
one morning, while Ralph was waiting for
the mail, what book was that proiruding
from his pocket
"Il's the Universal Spelling Book, SIR"
said Ralph, reddening as he pulled out the
well-worn volume. II Try to learn at home
IN the little time have, and can now nearl,
read"
That's we'll, my boy" said Mr. Leath-
en-: 81 wish the rest Of our boys would
spend their leisure time So"
"And. sir" lconIinued Ralph, now en-
eour0ged TO speak out, "Im trying TO write,
too. and have got the master Of the Blue
Coat School TO give me lesson sometimes
Tor doing his messages. sir"
you'll be a clerk yet. Ralph" said the
Postmaster, laughing. "Bul II is a good
endeavor, and hope you'll succeed but
mind be careful Of the mail"
His employer words turned out true.
though spoken half in Jest. Ralph eonlin.
ued TO earn, by every honest though small
way within his reach his earnings we're