Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1870-06-09
AN EXPRESS MESSENGER'S
STORY.


In the summer of 1868 was serving
as messenger on the British and Ameri-
can (now called Canadian) Express. My
route lay between Portland and South
Paris, though my Office was in Norway,
mile and half distant from the latter
station, between which two points trav-
eled with my own team. AS three and
sometimes four lines of stages connected
with the Grand Trunk road at South
Paris. through all Of which our express
did business, my route was an important
and a responsible one.
1t was on Saturday, August goth. |
ate my dinner, and then vent into the
Portland Office to get my freight and my
orders for the country. After the porter
had taken out the various articles con-
signed to my charge, Mr.. Prindle, our
agent, called me to his desk, and exhibit
ted package, directed to a party in
South Paris, containing three thousand
dollars.
DO you know that man q he asked me,
pointing to the superscription.
Yes said /.
DO you know where he livesP
Yes
show far from your depot?'
"a mile and a Ealf l should thiLk, on
the old Rumford road
'WeIl,' be pursued. i don't care to
have this lay over at the depot, and you'd
better deliver it yourself
/ told him would do so.
NAV here remark that we had no
regular office at South Paris. Itwas my
custom to deliver such matter as was con-
signed to parties living in the village,
within radius of half a mile or so, while
parcels going beyond those limits, l
usually left with the station master to be-
called for. And so. even at Norway, it
was understood by cur patrons that we
did not deliver express matter beyond the
limits of the village corporation.
As was leaving the Office, l observed
one of the porters. assisted by a clerk,
lifting a soldier into the wagon of the
Kennebec Express. Said soldiers right
leg was swathed in thick bandages from
tho knee to the toes, and he hobbeG up
on crutches; his uniform was worn and
soiled, and he appeared to be one who
had seen hard service.
Poor fellow said the clerk, as be met
ire upon tho sidewalk. 'He's got two
minnie balls through his leg-wounded
at Gettysburg. He started down from
the International for the depot on HE
clutches, but he gave out here
At that time. when the great battle
was yet thing of the present. a hero of
Gettysburg was an object of interest to
me; and felt almost like taking off my
hat TO the warn worn and shattered vet
eran; but he had gained his seat, and was
driven away before l had opportunity 10
salute him.
At the depot saw my freight safely
in the car, and after we had started |
took turn through the train. l found
our Gettysburg hero in the forward car,
occupying a whole seat, with the rim of
his old slouched hat pulled down over his
face, probably asleep. Poor fellow! He
was weak and weary.
We arrived az South Paris at half past
three z. H., where | found my team
waiting for me-a common express wag-
on drawn by horse which | considered
as rather superior to express horses in
general. As the last package was placed
in the wagon, observed the veteran of
Gettysburg hobbling toward me, on the
platform.
bad strapped up the tailboard. and
~as on the way to my seat, when he adj
dressed me:
Say, my friend which way ye goirg?'
Just round the village, to deliver
freight told him.
He looked disappointed.
Il was in hopes he said, that l should
find somebody going up the old Rum
ford road piece. Ny leg is about play
ed OUT
1 remembered the package / had to
deliver on the same road, and / told him
If he didn't mind riding around through
the village, | would take him as far as
the old Jordan Place. He said that it
would be a great help to him. So with
the assistance of the station baggage
master, | helped him to his seat. He
was large, heavy man, and as he SEEM
ed unable 20 help himself in climbing, the
labor of hosting him up was not light
one.
Il shall come down easier.' he said,
laughing.
'All right replied, as 1 took my seat
by his side. /.
| made quick work of delivering my
stuff in the village. and when we bad
struck the old road beyond | asked nv