Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-04-08
stlctt storp.
~ EMPRESS MESSENGERS
STORI.
ny sYLyASrs conn. JR.

In the summer OF 1868 was serving As
Messenger on the British and American
(now called the Canadian y Express. Ny
route lay between Portland and South
Paris, though my office was in Norway, 4
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 responsible one.
IL was on Saturday, August %. ate
my dinner, and went into the Portland
Office to get my freight and my orders Tor
the country. After the porterS had taken
out the various parcels consigned TO my
care, Mr.. Prindle, our agent, called me
to his desk. and exhibited to me a pack
age directed TO a party in South Paris,
containing three thousand dollars.
DO YOU know that man - he asked
me pointing to the superscription.
Yes" said l.
"Do you know where he lives ?'
Yes
"lIow far from the depot p
"A mile aud a half. should think, on
the old Rumford road"
"Well. he pursued. II don't care 10
have this money lay over at the depot
and YOU had better deliver it yourself"
told him would do 50.
may here remark. that we had no
regular Office at South Paris. 1t was my
custom TO deliver such matter rs was con-
signed to parties living in the village,
within the radius of half mile or SO
while packages going beyond those limits
usually left with the station-maSter, 10
be- called for And so. even at Norway,
il was understood by our patrons that we
did not deliver express matter beyond
the limits of the village corporation.
As was leaving the office observed
one oft the porters, assisted by clerk,
lifting 4 soldier into the wagon OF the
Kennebec Express. Said soldiers right
leg was swathed in thick bandageS, llom
the knee TO his toes and he hobbled upon
clutches. His uniform was worn out and
soiIed, and he appeared TO be one who
had seen hard service.
Poor fellow" said the clerk, as he
met me upon the sidewalk. Hes got
two mimic balls through his leg-wound-
ed at Gettysburg He started down from
the International for the depot on his
crutcheS but he gave out here"
At that time, when the great battle was
vet a thing of the present, hero of Get
tysburg was an object ofinterest to me !;
and felt almost like taking off my hat TO
the war-worn and shattered veteran; but
he had gained his seat, and was driven
away before | had IN opportunity to sa.
lutte him.
At the depot l saw my freight safely in
the ca, and after we had started | took q
turn through the train. | found our Get
tysburg hero in the forward ear occupy
ing a whole seat, with the rim of his old
slouched hal pulled down over his face,
apparently asleep. Poor fellow, Le was
weak and cary.
We arrived at South Paris at halfpast
three p. NJ, where found my team in
waiting for me-a common express wa
gon drawn by horse which | consider
ed rather superior to express horses in
general. As the last package was placed
in the wagon | observed the veteran OF
Gettysburg hobbling toward me upon
the platform. | had strapped up the
tail. board and was on my way to my seat
when he addressed me:
''Say. my friend, which way are ye
going?"
Just around the village, to deliver
freight. | told him.
He looked disappointed.
al yvas in homes y no said "that |