The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1879-02-07
THE MAIL BOYS ADVENTURE.

Never did boy have more lonely ride.
1t was the year after our family moved up
from Penobscot county, Ne, to begin life
anew on backwoods farm. My father
had taken contract to carry the mail from
l., the town:next below US, to D.,
eleven miles above. Between these two
points the mail was carried twice a week.
The sum received for the service was only
Sl1O. The distance was upward Of fifteen
miles, and 1O4 round trips, Of over thirty
miles each, were made during the year.
Bus my father had counted on my doing
the carrying on horseback. 1 was then in
my fourteenth year.
Every Tuesday and Saturday morning l
had to set off for D. at six o'clock with
the mail bag, and ride over the country
road to D.. This road ran through the
forest, and had not been long built. There
were but three clearings and watering
troughs in the whole distance. Woods,
woods, woods bordered the roAds on both
sides. Often did not meet single team
or person from the time was fairly out Of
l. till reached D.. sometimes
saw the tracks of bears in the road, and
sometimes my horse would stop and snort,
as the scent Of some Wild animal was borne
to him. Several times that season / had
glimpses of bears crossing the road some
distance in advance of me. l commonly
arrived at D. by eleven o'clock, bu.
had to wait there till halfpa two for the
down mail, 50 that when autumn came
was always late home,
The adventure of which am going to
speak happened to me that summer
Above D., in the woods on the river, a
numbering firm had for two years previous
been getting out spruce aad pine. They
employed large number of men both sum
mer and winter and did an extensive bust
ness Their mails came to D and
doubtless checks and drafts for large sums
were often sent them in letters aud were
placed in my mail bag. OLe afternoon as
was going to l., aud had left the
town Of D. four or five miles behind
me, 1 overlook a woman dressed in a soiled
calico gown, with an old dirty white
''cloud" en- her head. She limped pain
fully, aud had quite large bundle tied up
in calico apron.
knew she was Province woman. As
came up to pass her she cast a most pitt
ful look in ny face. She looked young,
not more thsn eighteen or twenty years
old.
so, my good boy" says she, cant yeI
give me lift on yer horse ?'
How far are you going o. asked.
0Doon ter - said she, land
from ther ITO Barngour Bangor inter
service"
"Do you expect ts walk all the way?"
80, yes but 1 uosldn't mind that at al
ef hadn't trod on the stoon up here
Ne shoes are thin sOied. an it stock right
inter the hollow of my foot, and think as
It's IA ther now, for /. hRrts me that much
I can hardly bear pound on it. oh, this
is hard woreld ~ and she concluded with
heart-1Oving sigh.
NY syspsthies were stirred, and felt
that ought to let her ride, FOX she looked
very tired and had wonderfully pleading
pair OF dull black eyes. had no thought,
however, OF riding double with hes; so
got off at the turn. and, leading my horse
20 a stump beside the road, let her get on
bis back with her bundle. Then, unbuck-
ling the rein to make halter Of it, I threw
the mail bag over my shoulder and walked
along leading the horse. Ny passenger
was quite laxative aud very thankful. She