Litchfield enquirer., 1856-09-11
EDWARD .. GOODWIN, Editor and Pnblisher. 5

coming to the entire satisfaction of the Post masters Of Bath and Marlborough. Reads were not then so convenient for travellers, nor time so precious with the public, as at present but Ralph was never known to loiter by the way, nor 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 saddle-the only mode of conveyance ln these days-that his conduct was always careful and steady people who did not travel trusted him with small messages in consequence of their reports. If a lady wanted fashion able cap from Bath, or a notable house-keeper some triie which could be bought cheaper in Marlborough, Ralph Allen was known to be sober and less exorbitant carrier than either the coachman or wagoner, and he was preferred accordingly.
 l This was source of additional gain, which in- creased every day, till the boy generally reached ms destination In either town laden with parcels or all sorts and sizes, for the carriage of which he received from twopence to a farthing, as the case might be, or the libcrality of his employ CTS dictated. How the short time allowed between the close of his daily duty and his nightly rest was usually spent in his mothers poor but clean garret nobody could tell till MT. Leathem, who had at this time a very high opinion of his post-boy, for general good con duct and correctness in his station inquired one morning, while Ralph was waiting for the mail, what book was that protrudine from his pocket?
 :" It's the Universal Spelling Book. sir said Ralph reckoning as he pulled out the we'll worn volume. "I try to learn at home in the little time have and can now nearly readn That's well, my boy" said Mir. Leathem l wish the rest of our boys would spend their leisure time so."
 And, sir. continued Ralph, now encouraged to speak out, " I'm trying to write, too, and have got the master of the Blue Coat School to give me lesson sometimes for doing his messages, sir"
 You'll be clerk yet Ralph," said the Postmaster laughing But it is good en- deavor, and hope you'll succeed, but mind be careful of the mail"
 His employers words turned out true, though spoken half in jest. Ralph continued to earn by'every honest though small way, within his reach His earnings were saved to purchase an old book, when he could not borrow it. or supply himself pens. ink, and paper, by which he ut once amused and improved his few leisure hours lu reading, or even spelling, to his mother, when her days toll was also done, and practic- ing the chance lessons he could obtain from the schoomastcr. Reading was at that period rare thing in his class, and cheap books of in- struction were equally so but from the Spell ing Book Ralph Allen advanced to the D:ction- ary and Grammar from "strokesp to writing good fair hund His savings also increased by slow degrees, for both he and his mother were prudent and Ralph only wished for, lat time when he might aspire to some better s;tu- ation and be enabled to add to her rest and comfort. Five years had thus passed away Ralph Allen had grown almost man, when all the message senders of Bath, among whom he was well known, rcjoiced, even amid their regrets that they must look out for another e1rrier, to hear that Ralph Allen had been promoted through the kindness of Mr. Leathcm to cleraship in the Bath Post Office, and was actually seen in new suit of clothes perform ing his new duties at the Post Office window. After this his mother washed nothing but lace uad ca,nhr:c. and Ralph was as steady and obliging in tue Post Office as l.s. had been with the mail on his back. His salary was com paratiyely small, but his prudence was great, and in another year or two, people discovered that Ralph had something in tue bauk His habits of reading aud thought also gave him another ability to invent Improvements in the Post Office, which was then very impcrfcctIy managed. These were medestly proposed aud as their necessity was seen, they soon ob- tained the sanction of the superior authorities, | and raised the young clerk, not only in their estimation but in office also, as in three years after his entrance he succeeded the senior clerk, Mir. Burton, by whom his application for the carriage of the Marlborough bag had been so ungraciously received, and who now retired to a small property he had purchased in the couu- try. Two years more and Ralph himself began to think of purchasing property also There was large sterile farm called Coome Down in the neighborhood of the city, which the last three tenants had successiyely left in disgust and wcariness, declaring that their lsbor and money were both lost on such an unproitablc spot and the landlord offered it for sheepgrazing on the very lowest terms. Great was the as tonishment of all who knew him, when Ralph l Allen became the purchaser of these poor and barren acres. Some said the young mans brains | were turned with tho books he read and even bis mother shook her head, and hoped it would turn out for the best but Ralph gave up his situation at the Post Office, collected round him workmcn and tools, and commenced not without creating much wonder aud many sur misses. to break up the ground in all directions, as if in search of . mine. |
 Ncig9bor, do you expect to find . pot of gold in that farm '" said an old farmer to him II oyer the fance one n,orn;nr ,.An-n h 1 h;.