The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-10-20
A VICTIM OF DUTY.
TRANsL ATED FROM THE FRENCH OF LOUIS
CoLLAS.


Co1LAs.
You have often seen him pass through
the fields with a hasty step, recognjz-
able not only by his blouse and his
regulation hat, but also by the sus-
taired activity of his movements, be-
cause for him the instants are counted
and he has not the right to slacken his
pace. An indera5igable walker, he ac
complishes his task from the first to the
last day of the year without ever rest
ing. Ne matter though tropical sun
invite all creatures to become motion
less, thoneh the cold be Siberian,
thougl it blow and snow, he must go to
the las- village on his route to carry the
letters, newspapers and prospectuses
which trade conhdes by millions to the
care OF the post.
TIE highv ays are not made for him
must h. 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, venturing into raviues
and wounding himself among the hedges
and briars. Loltering 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 postotfice and the least
variation of his programme may have
grave consequences.
We cannot without ingratitude forget
A. e ~ III.
senger, whose probity and zeal are con-
stantIy 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 rs 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 irreproachable 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 postotfice 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 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 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 q
ditch some silly prospectus or some
printed matter bearing doubtful adj
dress if he returned anything to the
postofice 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 hin
kindly when he arrived at a village; the
children came to him, and even the
dogs barked joyously at his approach
There was considerable rivalry as tc
who should offer him glass of eide
and slice of bacon. But he rarel.
accepted anything. Time passed anC
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 ad
ministration only permitted them t.
reward his loyal services with con
temptible gifts.
One day in the middle of October h.
departed on is usual round. Th
weather was frightful; it had beel
raining necessarily for more than
week; the roads had become bogs an
the brooks had been transformed int
torrents; what foliage remained on tn
trees was. so impregnated with waite