Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1851-09-04
The Express Man.

The Express Man.
How things change in this world Hart, the stage
driver, is succeeded by Adams, the Express man.
Now the duties belong TO both OF these departments
are very onerous. Nobody fully realizes the impor-
lance of the calling of the Express man. who has
not lived in country village just set yoursefdown
during season, in seven-by-nne village, where
there are some half dozen dress makers, or two or
three miIlners, few grocers, and two or three dry
goods shops; one LAWYER, Unversalist, Metho-
dist, Freew Baptist, and Calyinist minister,
whose whole members, put into one house, would
make barely respectable congregation. But there
is but one Express man to attend to all the calls of
this little heap of people.
The milliner wants to match that shade of silk,
or to exchange a few shawls she purchased yester-
daY, for another set of colors; and she has
rand be done she entirely forgot when in the city
and the dressmaker wants new cloak pattern, she
has seen advertised, and she Degotlates with the En-
press man to get 1t for seventy-hve cents, because
she Is of the trade, and ought TO be considered;
and great trouble comes out Of this The pattern
seller insists on her doar-says she knows only one
price, and "Miss Bond' is dressmaker of whom
she never heard; and alter the poor fellow has hag-
ged away his precious half hour, and paid the full
price, he must run down on Long Wharf and deliver
MIR. Grocers order and out into Elm street to speak
for some dried fruit; and this reminds him, the Wild
ow Ellery spoke TO him week ago TO get her drum
OF hgs, and box of raislns then he must hurry
to Washington street, and leave an order from the
dry goods store for two pieces of nice black silk to be
devered-at a dollar per yard-and the partner
who sold it " is down town." and there is nobody
who knows anything about such piece; and then
Sophia Blake wanted short lace veil, and Sally
Slack sent for a pair of corset, and the measure
lrdS lost
Squire Low wanted some blanks and forms, for
land conveyances. besides quire of ruled paper and
IA small cheap blank book. Gershom Allen sent for
pair of chickens, first chop, and Solomon Twist
wanted shoulder of mutton. Tom Bowen desired
the Express to step into Boardman's and get a
gallon of pure Cognac-and dozen of champagne,
"CiIley' brand" Mr.. " yeth has not received his
newspaper regularly, and sends 10 the office get
back numbers, and to know the cause of his not re-
ceivlng them by mail. Old lady Constant wants a
few gift books under price, for Christmas and New
Years presents 10 her grandchildren, and likewise
to know what good strong gingham umbrellas are
worth. He might give fifty cents for prime article,
with nice whalebone sticks Nancy Gerrsh wants
muff and boa, but limits the price to five dollars,
and Susan Hart has heard that good Bay State shaws
be bought for three dollars, and will take one at
two seventy-6ve
card, is-Call at 276 Washington street to get bun
dle;-Down by Cragies Bridge Tor hat case; at the
West End to deliver package, and at the North
End for Mrs. Sy's cloak
Now all these errands are expected to be done
precisely as they directed, and the small sum of
sxpence is considered fair charge-but woe to the
man who forgets single message
Besides, it is expected the Express man will carry
about him sunny countenance, never get vexed
with anybody, thank every one, instead of receiving
thanks; know everybody, and he willing 10 obige
everybody, because ii is his business. No matter
how many floating remarks are made to him, he is
not expected to resent them; and although he is the
most important parsonage in the village better than
Clergyman, lawyer, or representative, all Of whom
could be spared, and not be half as much missed
yet every idle man in the village feels competent to
undertake the business ofan Express man. In truth,
1t is an important office, and he who fills it satisfac
torily must be shrewd, goodnatured, obiging, self
hcent, all-suificient, but by insufficient
man. Yankee Blade.