Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1881-10-20
A VICTIM OF DUTY.
rRANs1ArED FROM THE FRENCH OF noun


CoLLAs.
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 indefatigable walker, he ac-
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 notion
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 confides by millions to the
care Of the post.
The highways are not made for him !;
must he not cross the country, passing
through woods and marshes, to seek
the hut lost in the depths of the soli-
tude, far removed from any public
road?
He travels from eight to ten leagues
daily, making circuits, crossing brooks,
scaling rocks, yenturing 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 a 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 functionaries would leave in
our existence
/ knew man who for twenty years
filed this position. a former soldier,
thanks to irrepIoachable records of
service strengthened by little infu-
ence, he had obtained the great favor of
having placed to his credit fifty francs
per month at the postoffice Of the dis
trict.
Pers 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 and strength of steel.
He was highly appreciated, for, while a
scrupulous observer of the regulation,
he never refused to perform 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 bis wcG dog. He knew to b
meter the distance separating the small
est hamlet fromSthe chief town of the
district, and waE.familiar with all the
paths and byways.
To spare himself half an hours walk
he never would have thrown into D
ditch some silly pr spectus or some
printed matter bearing a doubtful ad-
dress if he returned anything to the
postoffice it vas because its address
could not be found. He was the slave
pf his orders, as punctual as the clock,
and so discreet as to discourage the
most curious. Everybody greeted him
kindly when he arrived at village; the
children came to him, and even the
dogs barkeG joyously at his approach.
There was considerable rivalry as to
who should offer him glass of eide,
II n eli - H. Dx-+ IL
accepted anything. Time passed and
he did not like to contract troublesome
obligations.
Hence the notes made concerning
him were excellent, and his chiefs re-
gretted that the parsimony If the adj
ministration only permitted them tc
reward his loyal services with con.
temptible gifts.
One day in the middle of October be
departed On is usual round. The
weather was frightful; it had beer
raining necessarily for more than .
week; the roads had become bogs and
the brooks had been transformed intt
torrents; what foliage remained on the
trees was 60 i1npregnated with water
that it could not offer protecting
shelter. The postman, wet to the skin
walked with the impassibility of an Ole
soldier who does not discuss his orders
He had distributed portion of hil
mail, but his round was far from being
finished when he passed an inn, or rather
q miserable drinking house, situated q
the entrance of wood; this place WA
mainly patronized BY sabot makers, whit