Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-07-13
Written for the Vermont watchmsn
The Old Mail Carrier.

ance belonging TO the old order Of things
which should not be forgotten, and that is
the old mail carrier. In the country some
thirty or more years ago there was post
office in each town, and the mail was carried
from one to another by man on horseback,
about twice week, or once each way. The
mail routes usually extended across the
country from point on some turnpike, or
main road, to point on another, traversed
twice week or more by the old Concord
coaches. What times those were, when the
big stage, which had come all the way from
Portsmouth, or Lowell, or some other city,
came rolling into village, its four or six
horses driven by portly fellow, with look
of placid indifference, as though that were
nothing to what he could do. How deftly
he would bring the heavy coach within an
inch of the stone steps, or wooden piazza,
and not touch. Was there ever boy who
saw that sight who did not aspire to be a
stage driver?
The mail was assorted, very mysteriously,
and the few letters and papers for the mail
carrier were put in saddle bags, slung across
his horse, and he mounted and rode away
| well remember the man who carried the
mail distance of about seventeen miles,
passing my fathers house about half way
on his route. He had a dash of Scotch blood,
of which he was very proud, and when a
little excited always fell into curious broad
dialect. He would mount his old red mare,
with his saddle bags, Tuesday morning and
return Friday. Many times have seen him
jogging along fast asleep. The old beast
might just as well have gone alone, for she
knew where to stop, and there were no cars
to run over her, and no boys who would dare
to stone horse carrying the mail The
old man knew where the best cider was
kept, and was pretty sure to get thirsty
when he came to such places. In return
for full mug he would tell all the news he
had heard, and add one or two of his sto-
ries, told in his own inimitable manner, and
jog on to leave letter or two al each post
office on the way, and on his return, few
papers. Among the newspapers remem-
3Rsr 3 tbe Msg Hsmgshirs Sta!ssmaa the Her;
which were read and exchanged by all the
neighborhood. Sometimes the old man
would stop and take up boy or girl and
give them a ride behind him. When he
thought they had gone far enough he would
give them cent perhaps, and set them down
to foot it back Small packages of various
kinds were often carried by him, and if a
piece of news was to be sent to any one by
the way, it was more frequently told to him
than sent in letter. The old man never
forgot, especially if bit of silver was given
with the message, and if he happened to
pass the place asleep he would turn back
Sometimes a passenger would wish to be
taken over his route, and then the old mare
was hitched into an old sulky, or any sort
OF vehicle that would hold together.
The old mans domestic life was none OF
the happiest, for he had veritable Mrs
Gummidge for wife, and no children. When
all other means Of annoyance failed, she
would threaten to hang herself, but it soon
failed of its effect Once he took home Q
young man whom he carried as passenger
it being the only thing to be done, as there
was no hotel and violent storm coming on
His wife happened to be out of sorts, and
seeing a stranger coming without her leave
she hastily left her supper of hasty pudding
and milk, seized small rope which wa,
handy and rushed out to the woodshed
The old man took his guest into the house
seated him in the place just vacated, and
bidding him help himself, proceeded to cal
his supper. Soon the boy who did chores
for his board came in, and very seriously
told the old man his wife had gone and
hung herself. The old man cast comical
glance at his visitor, and in his peculiar
fashion replied, Weel, weel, lad, let hel
hang til ha' done my supper" and stirred
not foot. In the morning they had sub
stantial breakfast, as she had got over the
changing" and was really thrifty house
wife.
At last, after few years, a new mai
carrier was appointed in his place who rode
in covered wagon, and the old mail carrier
had passed on. The wife no more hanged
herself, for she died peacefully in her bed
aud the little yellow house in the woods, SC
long the home Of both, was full of stran
gers. The old mail carrier period was ended