River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-11-10
A COUNTRY POSTMAN.
a story of a Hero

through the fields with a hasty tread,
recognizable not only by his blouse and
his regulation hit, but also by the sus-
tanned activity of his movements, be-
cause for him the instants are count ed
and he has not the right to slacken his
pace. An indefatigable walker, he &C
composites his task from the first to the
last day of the year without even rest
ing. No matter though a tropical sun
invite all creatures to become motion
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 ard marshes, to seek the
hat lost in the depths of the solitude,
far removed from the public road ?
He travels from eight to ten leagues
daily, making circuits, crossing brooks,
scaling rocks, venturing into ravines
and wounding himself among the
hedges and briers. Lettering is for
hidden 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 pro-
gramme may have grave consequences.
We cannot without ingratitude forget
the services of this incorrupbble mes
senger, whose probity and zeal are con-
stantly put to the proof. who brings us
at 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 ftInctionaries would leave in
our existence.
| knew a man who for twenty years
filled this position. A former soldier,
thanks to the irreproachable records of
service strengthened by IL little influ-
ence, he had obtained the great favor
of having placed to his credit 80 francs
per month at the post office of the dis
trict..'
Pere Martin was not very fond of this
brilliant position, but he perfectly I'M
derstood his responsibilities and duties;
he never complained.
Everybody in the district was ac-
quainted with this little gray-haired
man with bronzed features, whose
limbs had the pliancy and strength of
steel. He was highly appreciated, for,
while q scrupu!Ous observer of the reg
ulation, he never refused to perform a
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 wolfdog. He knew to q
meter the distance separating the
smallest hamlet from the chief town of
the district, and was familiar with all
paths and by-ways.
To spare himself half an hours walk
he never would have thrown into q
ditch some silly prospectus or some
printed matter bearing doubtful ad
dress; if he returned anything to the
post office, it was because its destina-
nation could not be found. He was
the slave of his orders, as punctual as
the clock, and so discreet as to discour-
age the most curious. Everybody greet
ed him kindly when he arrived at the
village; the children came to him, and
even the dogs barked joyously at his
approach. There was considerable RI
valry as to who should offer him glass
of cider and slice of bacon. But he
rarelv accepted anything. Time passed
and he did not like to contract trouble
some Obligations.
Hence the notes made concerning
him were excellent, and the chiefs re-
GREETED that the parsimony of the ad-
ministration only permitted them to
reward his loyal services with con-
temptible 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 tor
rents. What foliage remained on the
trees was so impregnated with water
that it could not offer a 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, miserable drinking house, sltu-
ated ut the entrance of wood. This
place was mainly patronized by sabot-
makers, who found there alcoholic
drinks and few groceries.
"Ho Monsieur, the postman, stop
here for an instant; while you are Civ
ing me the information / need, the ylo-
lence 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 drinking house.
The rain was pouring down at that
= mt
Pere Martins face, preventing 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 aceep-
lance of momentary shelter when 1t
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 Martins soaked garments.
The stranger Intercepted 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 1t.
you know me, them" said the post
man.
"Parbleul Everybody loves and es-
.eems YOU here; Pere Martins value is
well known l hope you will not re-
fuse to drink with me. Hol Madame
Roster, two glasses ofyour best brandy"
A woman waited on them and return
81 ~ bar oacuDati0O
''What dogs trade you follow, Pere
Martini said the man. ''Nll 1t take
you much longer to finish your round?
You doubtless have yet to goto the
Landa Grise, to Plessis. | know some
one who is impatiently waiting for you
there. am obliged to pass in the vi
cinity. If you wish it | will relieve
you of your letters
''Thank you; | will deliver them my
self.
sThat's yourself out and out. After
all. you are right. 1t is your duty TO
deliver them"
While talking with a 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.
81 rN4nasa ~ said