The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1881-11-09
A VICTIM OF DUTY.

TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH OF LOUIS
corLAs.
You have often seen him pass through
the fields with hasty step, recOgniz-
able not only by his blouse and his
regulation hat, but also by the sus-
tanned activity OF his movements, be-
cause for him the instants are counted
and he has not the right to slacken his
pace. An indefatiRable walker, he &C
complishes his task from the first to the
last day of the year without ever rest.
ing. No matter though tropical sun
invite all creatures to become motion
less, though the cold be Siberian,
though it blow and snow, he must go to
the last village on his route to carry the
letters, newspapers and prospectuses
which trade confdes by millions to the
care OF the post.
The highways are not made for him I;
must he not cross the country, passing
through woods and marshes, to seek
the hut lost in the depths of the soli-
tuda. far removed from any public
road?
he travels from eight to ten leagues
daily, making circuits, crossing brooks,
scaling rocks, venturing into ravines
and wounding himself among the hedges
and briars. LoItering is forbidden to
him, for the official hour of return is
fixed; the letters he brings back must
depart by the next mail. They are
waited for at the postoffice and the least
variation of his programme may have
grave consequences.
We cannot without ingratitude forget
the services of this incorruptible mes
senger, whose probity and zeal are con-
stantly put to the proof, who brings us
at certain hour our letters and our
journals, the news, the expectation of
which keeps us full of anxiety; who
contributes to soften for us the bitter
ness of absence and distance. Imagine
the void the disappearance of these
humble funetionaries would leave in
our existence
knew man who for twenty years
filed this position. A former soldier,
thanks to irreproachable records of
service strengthened by a little inhu-
ence, he had obtained the great favor of
having placed to his credit fifty francs
per month at the postofice of the dis
trict.
Pere Martin was not very fond of
this brilliant position, but he perfectly
understood his responsibility and duties;
he never complained.
Everybody in the district was
acquainted with this little gray haired
man with bronzed features, whose limbs
had the pliancy Snd strength of steel.
He was highly appreciated, for, while a
scrupulous observer of the regulation,
he never refused to perform a service,
provided it did not conflict with his
duties.
There was not corner of his route
which he had not passed over, accom-
panied by his wolf dog. He knew to a
meter the distance separating the small
est hamlet from the chief town of the
district, and was familiar with all the
paths and byways.
To spare himself half an hours walk
he never would have thrown into a
ditch some silly prospectus or some
pspted matter tearing doubtful ad-
dress If he returned anything to the
postotiice it was because its address
could not be found. He was the slave
of his orders, as punctual as the clock,
and so discreet as to discourage the
most curious. Everybody greeted him
kindly when he arrived at q, village; the
children came to him, and even the
dogs barked ioyously at his approach.
There was considerable rivalry as to
who should offer him glass Of cider
and slice of bacon. But he rarely
accepted anything. Time passed and