The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1869-10-08
The Postman,s "Cooler.v

IT was hot day-a very hot day; peo-
pie said the hottest we had ever had.
The sun blazed in speckless sky, and not
cloud shaded the earth from its burning
rays.
It was oppressively hot in the country,
and the reader may imagine what it was
in London streets. One side of Fleet
street was so baking hot, that although my
Office branched out of it, Imade rush for
the other side for the sake of a few
hundred yards of shade. I met pedestri-
ans with wells and pieces of linen hanging
behind their hats as preventative against
sun-stroke, and saw omnibus drivers
similarly protected.
My Office is tolerably cool in the most
scorching weather, being up shady
court, into which the rays of the sun do
not penetrate. Judge, then, what the
oven-like atmosphere must have been
outside, when even this shady nook
began to feel more and more like the
Desert of Sahara, and to grow almost un-
bearablel
In the outer office was my lad, who
began life by becoming member of the
Band of Hope; and his bright red hair
and blooming face seemed to make the
place hotter. l read all that the Times had
to say about cooling drinks and was glad
to see that all those who wrote letters
were unanimous in their condemnation of
alcoholic beverages Instead of assuaging,
these increased ones thirst. How much
| lemonade and how much iced water took
this morning, l am afraid to estimate;
only knew things were approaching des-
perate pass when a quick footstep re-
sounded in the court
Yes, there was man who actually had
the hardihood to walk quickly this
weather. and presently he passed my
window with smile upon his counte
nance. A man smiling, with do not
know how much in the shade! He was q
postman, and he seemed no more to feel
the heat than if he we're salamander. He
trotted up the steps as if it were a spring
morning. languidly gazed at the man
who could do this on the hottest day we
had had, partly in admiration, and partly
in establishment
Having delivered his letters, he said to
my lad, "I'll take cooler, if you please"
Certainly" replied Rosy, turning to an
earthenware jug, and pouring out glass
full of water
Being curious to know what a cooler"
was, it was with some interest watched
the postman take out of his pocket a
packet, out of which he poured something
into the glass which Immediately turned
the water into a muddy brown.
"What have you got there?" l cried /;
ait surely is not wholesome to drink that
thick composition this weather"
This, sir, is my cooler" said the post
man, holding up the glass.
but what is it?" l inquired.
"Oh, you need not be alarmed sir" was
the reply; " it's very simple; it is only a
little oatmeal and water"
Oatmeall have heard of it in cruel,
and very good it is but l never heard OF
persons drinking it before"
g See me do it, sir" said the postman,
l shall be cool, while other people are fry.
ingr'
"You astonish me-" I said.
Every likely, sir; but l find this drink
good both for winter and summer; in win.
ter it feeds ones stomach, and in summer
4 does that and cools at the same time.
have tried it for long time, and can speak
from experience"
Are you total abstainer, my friend %
said, after pause
."Oh, yes, sir, am happy to say" was
the cheerful rejoinder. 81 don't know how
should get through this hot weather if
were not 1 often pity those poor fellows
who take their ale and other Intoxicating
drinks on burning day like this. There
are many people besides myself, though
that take oatmeal and water by the way
of a cooler" added the postman, smiling
Indeed who are they?"
"Well, you must go down into the BLACK
Country, among the blacksmiths and pud
dlers, among whom there are many alb
stainers, if you would see what comfor
little oatmeal and water is to the poo
fellows. But must not stop any longer,
said the postman I" / am nice and coo
now, sir; and if you want to be so during
this hot weather, take my mixture"
The postman's advice was sound. A
first the muddy look of the oatmeal ant
water set one rather against it; but ono
having got over that, the postman'
, "cooler," as / have christened it, was fount
/ to be an excellent drink; and 1 hereb.
recommend it to all those who are eX
hausted by hot weater.-Band Of Hope Re
: a,io7