The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1869-10-09
The POsalnan's SCOOTER"

1t was hot day-a very hot day people said
the hottest We ever had. The sun blazed in q
| speckless sky, and not a cloud shaded the earth
from its burning rays. i,
1t was oppressively hot in the country, and the
| reader may imagine what it was in London
| streets. One side OF Fleet street was 30 baking
hot, that although my office branched out of it,
i made rush for the other side for the sake of a
few hundred yards of shade met pedestrians
with wells and pieces of liren hanging behind
| their hats as preservative against sun-stroke,
and l saw. omnibus drivers who were similarly
protected.
My office is toerably cool in the most scorching
weather, being up shady court, into which the
rays of the scorchng hot sun did not penetrate.
Judge, then, what the oven-ike atmosphere must
have been outside, when even this shady noook
began to feel more and more like the desert of
Sahara, and to grow almost unbearable!
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 SEEM
ed 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 l took this morning, 1 am afraid to
estimate; l only knew things were approaching
a desperate pass when quick footstep resound-
ed in the court .,-t
Yes there was man who actually had the
hardihood to walk quickly this weather and
presently he passed my window with smile up
on his countenance. A man smiling, with / do
not know how much in the shade He was
postman, and he seemed no more co feel the heat
than if he were a salamnndar. He trotted up
the steps as if it were a spring morning. lam
ynS cd ett ba, 10 pr!l Il.
the hottest day we had had, partly in admira-
ton, partly i'll astonishment.
Having delivered his letters he said to my
lad, "I'll take cooler, if you please" Certain
ly," replied Rosy, turning to an earthen Jug, and
pouring out glass-fnll of water.
Being curious to know what cooler was, it
was with some interest l., watched the postman
take out Of his pocket a packet, out of which he
poured something into the glass which immedi-
ately turned the water into muddy brown
color. t-e .sa3sp
"What have Won got there Z" l cried; sit sure
ly Is not wholesome to drink that thick compo-
siton this weather"
"This sir, is my cooler" said the postman,
holding up the glass 81
'Bus what is it 7" inquired.
ooh, you need not be alarmed, sir" was the re-
ply, 'it is very simple; it is only little oatmeal
and water" 81"
"Oatmeal have heard of it in cruel, and
very good it is; but l never heard of persons
drinking it before"
'See iae do it, SIR said the postman, tossing
off the glass. "There, cir. Now / shall be cool,
while other people are frying!"
"You astonsh me-" | said
"Very likely, sir: but l find the drink good
both for winter and summer; in winter it feeds
ones stomach, and in summer it does that and
cools at the same time. have tried it for long
time, and can speak from experience"
Are you a total abstainer, my friend ?" said
after pause. , r . E.
''Oh yes, sir, l am happy to say" was the
cheerful joinder. 81 don't know how should get
through TINS hot weather if were not often
pity those poor fellows wbe take their ale and
other intoxicating drinks on a burning day like
this. There are many people besides myself,
though, that take oatmeal and water by the way
eli cooler" added the postman, smiling.
"Indeed who are they Z" f1il@
swell you must 20 down into the Black Coun-
try, among the blacksmiths and puddlers, among
when there are many abstainers, if you would
see what comfort little oatmeal and water
is to the poor fellows. But l must not stop any
longer, am mics and cool now, sir : and ii you
want to be so during this no. weather, take my
mixture" said the postman.
The postman's advice was sound. AT first the
muddy look of the oatmeal and water set one
rather against it but once having got over that,
the postmans 'cooier, us | have christened it,,
was found to be an excellent drink and here
by recommend it TO all those who are exhausted
by hot weather.-Baad IF Hope Rscaen.
cnu