The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1881-11-09
he did not like to contract Troublesome

him were excellent, and his chiefs re-
gretted that the parsimony Jf the adj
ministration only permitted them to
reward his loyal services With con-
temptible gifts.
One day in the middle of October he
departed on is usual round. The
weather was frightful; it had been
raining incessantly for more than a
week; the roads had become bogs and
the brooks had been transformed into
torrents; what foliage remained on the
trees was so impregnated with water
that it could not offer q protecting
shelter. The postman, wet to the skin,
walked with the impassibility of an old
soldier who does not discuss his orders.
He had distributed a portion of his
mail, but his round was far from being
finished when he passed an inn, or rather
a miserable clearinghouse, situated at
the entrance of wood; this place was
mainly patronized by sabot-makers, who
found there alcoholic drinks and few
groceries.
"Hol Monsieur, the postman, stop
here for an instant; while you are Civ
ing me the information 1 need, the
violence of the storm will abate."
This invitation was addressed to him
by man who, with a pipe in his
mouth, was standing upon the threshold
of the clearinghouse.
The rain was pouring down at that
moment; a fierce blast swept it into
Pere Martins face, prevented him from
walking 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 ac-
ceptance of a 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 invited him to enter threw upon it
some dry branches, which were soon in
flames; heavy vapor arose from Mar
tins soaked garments.
The stranger interrogated the post
man as to the hours of the departure
of the mails, and asked him host of
questions about himself, his service and
everything concerning it.
"You krow me then2" said the post
man.
"Parbl9u Everybody loves and
esteems you here; Pere Martins value
is we'll known. hope you will not re-
fuse to drink with me. Hol Madam
Roster, two glasses of your best
brandy"
A woman waited on them and re-
turned to her occupation.
"What dogs trade you follow, Pere
Martin |" said the man. "Will it take
you much longer to finish your round e?
You doubtless have yet to go to the
Landa Grise, to Plessis. / know some
one who is impatiently waiting for you
there. am obliged to pass in the
vicinity. If you wish it will relieve
you of your letters"
"Thank you 1 will deliver them my
self"
"That's yourself out and out. After
all you are right. 1t is your duty to
deliver 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, coldly. "You have disar-
ranged all my letters. shall no longer
know what to do"
The other humbly excused himself
for his awkwardness.
"The evil is reparable," added he.
"Seat yourself at this table, and you
will have no trouble to arrange the let
ters 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 dis
creetly at distance, but found an OPP
portunity to cast 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 ami
malls fury contrasted with its habitual
gentleness.
This fact seemed strange to Martin.
He felt distrust of the communicative
stranger grow up 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 a thick smoke, and lifting
the letters spread out upon the table
scattered them in every direction.
The postman uttered an exclamation
of anger.
"Bah it is 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 collected all they
fill