The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1882-02-08
I've COUNTRY POSTWAR.

You nave often seen HIM pass tlirollgl
the fields with hnsty tread, rccognizt.
bic not only by his blouse and his rcgn-
lntion hat, but also by tho sustained ac-
uvty Of his movements, because Tor nm
the instaniS are counted and lac has not
the right TO slackcn his pace. An iuir-
fatigable walker, he accomplishcs lns
task from the first to the last dny OF the
yenr without oven resting. No matter
though Il tropical sun invite all creatures
10 become motiOnlcss, though tho cold
be Siberian, though il blow and snow,
he must 20 10 tho last village on his
route 10 carry the letters, newspapers
and prospcctu5as which trade conidcs
by millions 10 the caro- u tbe post.
The highways are not made for him,
and he must cross the country, passing
through woods and marshes, 10 seek tho
hut lost in the depths Of solitude, far
removed from any public road.
He travels from eight 10 ten leagues
daily, making circuits, crossing brooks,
scaling rocks, venturing intomyincsmd
wUllndmg himself amunP the hedges and
brlars. Lettering is forbidden To him,
for the official hour Of return is fixed
the letters he brings back must depart
by the next mail. They mo waited for
Of the pOstOilicc, and the least variation
OF his programme may have grave con-
sequences.
We cannot, without ingrstitudc, for
got the services OF this incprrnptible
messenger, whose prObity and zeal arc
constantly put to proof who brings us
ut certain hour our letters and our
Journals, the news, the expectation Of
which keeps vs. full Of anxiety; who
contribute TO soften for us the bitterness
OF absence aud distance. Imagine tho
void the disappearance Of these humble
functionarleB would leave in our exist
ence
| knew man who for twenty years
filed this position. A former soldier,
Thanks to irrepronchnblo records Of
service strcngthcncdby IL little influence,
ho had obtained the great favor of having
placed 10 his credit fifty francs per
month AT the postoIlice Of the di5trict
Pcre Martin was not very fond Of this
brilliant position, but ho perfectly mn
dcrstOod his responsibility and duties (;
ho never complained.
Everybody IN the district was nc
quninted with this little gray haired man
with bronzcd features, whose limbs hli
the pIiancy and strength of steel. lie
WAS highly appreciated, ior, while n
scrlpuous observer Of the regulations,
he never refused to perform service,
provided ii did not conflict with his
duties.
There was not corner OF hiS rOnto
which he Ind not passed over nccompn-
MED by his woli-dog. He know to n
meter the distance separating the small
est hamlet from the chief town of tho
district and was familiar with all tho
paths and by.ways.
To spare himself half an hours walk
he never would have thrown into ditch
some silly prospectus or some printed
matter hearing n doubtful address; il he
returned anything 10 tho posioilicc it
was because its destination could not be
found. lic was the slave OF hs orders,
ns punclual as the clock, and 30 discreet
or 10 discourage the most curious. Ey.
orybody greeted him kindly when Inc ar
rived at u village; tho children cnmo Ia
HIM, and even the dogs barked ioyously
at his approach. There was considerable
rivalry us to who should offer him n glass
Of cider and slice of bacon. But lac
rarely accepted anything, Time passed
and he did not like to contract trouble
some obligations.
Hence the notes made concerning him
were excellent, and his chief regretted
that the parsimouy of the administration
only permitted Them to reward his lloyd
services with c0ntemptiblo gifts.
One day in the middle Of October he
departed ON his usual round. Tho
weather was irightiul it had been rain
ing necessarily for more than week F;
the roads had hecome boys, and the
brooks Ind been Transformed into tor.
rents. What foliage remained on the
trees was SO impregnated with water that
II could not offer protecting shelter.
The postmm, wet to the skin, walked
with the inipassability Of an old soldier
who does not discilss his orders.
He had distributed portion of his
mail, but his round was far from being
finished, when ho passed an inn, OF
rather miserable drinking house, stu
ated at the entrance Of wood. This
place was mainly patroni2ed by sabo
makers, who found there alcoholic
drinks and few groceries.
"Ho Monsieur, the postman, stoT
here for an instant: while you nre giving
me the information | need, tho violence
Of the storm will ab1te."
This invitation was addressed 10 him
by man who, with q pipe in his mouth
was standing upon the threshold Of the
drinking house.
The rain was pouring down at thai
moment; a fierce blast swept 1t into PerC
NNrtin's ihne, prevented him from walk
Ing and bent to tho ground tho stalwnrt
trees.
The postman was little ahead Of time
md the demands Of the service do not q
30 lar as TO forbid the acceptance OF Q
momentary shelter when it offers itsel
under such circumstances.
He, therefore, went into the house anC
sat down beside the fire which cracked
on the hearth. Tho man Who hat
invited him to enter threw upon it som,
branches, which were soon in flames;
heavy vspor arose from Martins soaket
garments.
The stranger interrogated tho postman
as to the hours of tho departure of the
mails. and asked him host Of questions
about himself, his service and everything
concerning it.
"You know me, then ?" said the post
man.
&" Parbleu Everybody loves and es
toems you here Pero Martins value il