Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1881-09-21

arrived at village; the children came to
him, and even the dogs parked joyous
lyat his approach. There was consider
able rivalry as to who should offer him
a glass of cider and a slice of bacon. But
he rarely accepted anything. Time
passed and he did not like to contract
troublesome obligations.
Hence the notes made concerning him
were excellent, and his chiefs regretted
that the parsimony of the administration
only permitted them to reward his loyal
services with contemplate gifts.
One day in the middle of October he
departed on his usual round. The
weather was frightful; it had been rain
ing necessarily for more than a week; the
roads had become boys and the brooks
had been Transformed into torrents; what
foliage remained on the trees was so i'm
pregnated with water that it could not
offer protecting shelter. Thepostman,
wet to the skin, walked with the impas-
sibility of an old soldier who does not
discuss his orders.
He had distributed portion of his
mail, but his round was far from being
finished, when he passed an inn, or
rather a miserable drinking house,
situated at the entrance of wood. This
place was mainly patronized by sabot
makers, who found there alcoholic drinks
and few groceries.
clio! Monsieur, the postman, stop
here for an instant; while you are giving
me the information [ need, the violence
of the storm will abate."
This invitation was addressed to him
1ox-a -ho h Il 011th
was standing upon the threshold of the
drinking house.
The rain was pouring down st that
moment; fierce blast swept it into Pere
Martins face, prevented him from walk
ing and bent to the ground the stalwart
trees.
The postman was a little ahead of
time, and the demands of the service do
not go SO far as to forbid the acceptance
of momentary shelter when it offers
itself under such circumstances.
He, therefore, went into the house and
sat down beside the fire which cracked
on the hearth. The man who had in
vlted him to enter threw upon it some
dry branches, which were soon in flames;
heavy vapor arose from Martin s
soaked garments.
The stranger Intercepted the postman
as to the hours of the departure of the
mails, and asked him host of questions
about himself, his service, and everything
concerning it.
man.
"Parbleu Everybody loves and es-
teens you here; Pere Martins value is
well known. I hope you will not refuse
to drink with me. Ho! Madame Roster,
two glasses of your best brandy"
A woman waited on them and returned
to her occupation.
"What dogs trade you follow, Pere
Martin said the man. CIVIL it take
you much longer to finish your round :?
You doubtless have yet to go to the
Landa Grise, in Plessis. I know some
one who is impatiently waiting for you
there. [ am obliged to pass in the VI
entity. If you wish it I will relieve you
of your letters
"Thank you I will deliver them my
self"
"That's yourself out and out. After
all you are right. It is your duty to de-
liver them"
While talking with loquacity which
did not encourage the postman he took
up the sack the latter had placed beside
him, seemed to feel its weight and turned
it over and over.
"Let my sack alone, please" said
Martin, cody. "You have disarranged
all my letters. [ shall no longer know
what to do.
The other humbly excused himself for
this awkwardness.
"The evil is reparable," added he.
"Seat yourself at this table, and you will
have no trouble to arrange the letters
according to the route you should take. :"
The postman emptied his sack before
him and began to arrange his letters.
His questioner affected to keep discreet
Iy at distance, but found an opportun-
ity to cast a furtive glance over his
shoulder
While Martin was busy with his work
he heard furious growls behind him.
"Pere Martin, help me to prevent
your dog from strangling mine, said his
new acquaintance.
The pOstman arose and caught his dog
by the skin of the neck. The animals
fury contrasted with its habitual gentle
ness.
This fact seemed strange to Martin.
He felt distrust of the communicative
stranger grow upon him. He was about
to replace his papers in the sack when
the man, as if to see what was the state
of the weather, opened the door.
At the same instant the wind swept
impetuously into the room, which it
filed with thick smoke, and lifting the
letters spread out upon the table, scat
tered them in every direction.
The postman uttered an exclamation
of anger.
Bah it's nothing" said the person
who had caused the accident. "We two
will speedily gather them up"
And without needing the refusal of
Martin, who wished to avoid his help
and do the work alone, he began to
search for the letters.
When they had collectedal1 they could