The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-09-15
THE COUNTRY POsTMAN.

}i3s5jS
~ Story OF . Hero-Translatetf from the
French of Louis Collas.
You have often seen him pass through
the fields with hasty step, recognizable
not only by his blouse and his regulated hats
but also by the sustained activity Of his
movements, because for him the instant,
are counted and he has not the right to
slacken his pace. An indefatigable walker,
he accompishes his task from the first to
the last day Of the year without ever rest
ing. No matter though a tropical sun In
Nte all creatures to become motionless.
thought blow and snow, he must 90 toAhe
last village on his route to carry his letters,
newspapers and prospectuses which trade
confdes by millions to the care Of the post.
Tie highways are not made fer him;
must he not cross the country, passing
through the woods and marshes, to seek
the hut lost in the depths Of the solitude,
far removed from any public road?
He travels from eightto ten leagues daily,
making circuits, crossing brooks, scaling
rocks, venturing into ravines and wOundinQ
himself among the hedges and briars.
lettering is forbidden to him, for the Of
hclal hour Of return is fixed; the letters he
brings back must depart by the next mail
They are waited for at the post office and
u
have grave consequences.
We cannot without ingratitude forget
the services Of this incorruptible messen-
ger, whose probity and zeal are constantly
put to the proof, VINO brings us at certain
hour our letters and our Journals, the news,
the expectation of which keeps US SO full
of anxiety; who contributes to soften for
us the bitterness of absence and distance
Imagine the void the disapp 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 strength
ened by little influence, he had obtained
the great favor Of having placed to his
credit fifty francs per month at the post.
Office of the district.
Pere Martin was not very fond Of this
brilliant position, but he perfectly under
stood 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 pill
ancy and strength Of steel He was highly
appreciated, for, while scrupulous observ-
er of the regulation, he never refused to
perform service, provided it did not con-
hict with his duties.
There was not corner of his route which
he had not passed over, accompanied by
his wolf dog. He knew to metre the dis
lance separating the smallest hamlet from
the Chief town of the district, and was
familiar with all the paths and bywavs.
70 spare himself half an .our's walk he
never would have thrown into ditch some
printed matter bearing doubtful address
if he returned anything to the post Office it
was because its destination could not be
found. He was a 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 the
village; children came to him, and even the
dogs barked joyously at his approach. There
was considerable rivalry as to who should
offer him a glass of cider and slice OF
bacon. But he rarely accepted anything.
Time passedand he did not like to contract
troublesome obligations.
Hence the notes made concerning him
were excellent, and lis 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 de-
parted on his usual round. The weather
was frightful; it had been raining incessent.
ly for more than c week; the roads had
become bogs and the brooks had been
transit into torrents; what foliage re-
NAMED on the trees was so impregnated
with water that it could not offer o protect
ing shelter. The postman, wet to the skin,
walked with the impassibility 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 nlissra-
bic drinking house, situated at the entrance
of wood; this place was mainly patronized
by sabot makers. who found their alcoholic
drinks and few groceries.
Ho! 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 by
q man who, with pipe in his mouth, was
standing upon the threshold of the drink
ing house.
The rain was pouring down at that mo-
mept; q fierce blast swept it into Pere Mar
tins face, prevented him from walking and
bent to the ground the stalwart trees.
The postman was little ahead of time,
and the demands of the service do not go
so far as to forbid the acceptance Of mo-
mentary 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 -vapo,
arose from Martins soaked garments.
The stranger Intercepted the postman as
to the hours of the departure Of the mails,
and asked him a host of questions about
himself his service and everything concern.
ing it.
You know me-, then?'' said the postman.
aParbleu! Everybody loves and esteems
you here Pere Martin value iswell known
hope. you will not refuse to drink with