The Cook County herald., 1905-09-23

In the postal service Of every gov
ernment, the work performed by the
carriers is one of the most important
features of the system. In the carrier
service of the world there are en-
ployed many unique methods, and the
costumes worn, devices employed and
the practices relating to mail delivery
obtaining in the various countries are
Of no little interest. If all the men
who are engaged in carrying the mails
for Uncle Sam alone were assembled
in one place it would be a multitude
distinctly notable for picturesqueness
and variety. Included in this vast
army of United States mail carriers
there would be the Indian and his dog
sledge, the pony rider of the far west,
the rural mail carrier, the native Por>
to Rican and the native Filipino in
their quaint costumes, the gray-uni-
formed carrier of the cities, the native
Hawaiian, and the list might be car
ried on still further. But the cos
tunes of carriers employed by some
turesque and diversified.
Decidedly unique in comparison with
the carrier system obtaining in Cana
dian and United States cities is the
method Of delivering letters in the
Congo district, Africa. The Congo
letter carrier is a negro Of darkest
hue. His uniform, if such scanty at
tire could be so called, consists of only
breech clout, with no shoes or hat,
not even a necktie to accompany this
single and singular article of wearing
apparel. The ebony-hued and meager-
ly clad carrier fastens the letter he is
given to deliver to the end of a staff,
and holding this in one hand high
above his head, he starts on a run
for the plantation of the person to
whom the letter is addressed.
Over sands and wastes, through
small streams and jungles, for miles
and miles in some instances, the fleet
footed Congo postman speeds onward
to his destination, running full to the
door of the plantation house and
knocking with the butt of his spear,
unless previously intercepted. Having
delivered the letter, the carriers days
work is finished in the event he has
made long trip, and after resting
a while and partaking of food, he
postohce, to repeat the performance
to some other part of the country.
A Veritable Santa Claus.
There is a vast difference between
the costume of the Congo carrier and
that of the postman who delivers mail
in the northern part of Russia in win
ter. The latter wears heavy felt boots,
and, over his heavy blue uniform, a
thick fur .overcoat, with cap of the
same material. He loads his mail
sacks, together with snow shoes and
other equipment needed in travelling
in that cold cline, on a. low sleigh
usually drawn by dogs. Occasionally,
is veritable Santa Claus, for in
some instances he drives a team of
.reindeers, and the frost on his long
beard and the snow on his Overcoat
complete his resemblance to the be-
nevolent old man that fills the minds
of the children at Yuletide. Through
the snow and ice the Russian carrier
drives his load of mail freight for days
and days, stopping at the small post
Offices and at farm houses on the way
to deliver his cargo of missives.
Warlike in appearance and resem-
bling more a cavalryman in the army
than a bearer of peaceful messages is
the Swedish mounted carrier. He
wears a dark sblue uniform with long
frock coat ornamented with brass but
tons, while on his head is a peaked
cap, on the front ;of which is pinned a
small plated crown and bugle device
Over his shoulders he wears a heavy
leather cape. About his waist is
buckled a belt, from which sword
is suspended, and in, a holster on
one side of his saddle is a revolver
of large caliber, while on the other
is a bugle with which to announce his
arrival at the farm houses. In addi-
ton to a black leather mail bag, the
Swedish mounted carrier also takes
with him a postmarking outfit and
acts as a postmaster for the families
along his route. The Swedish city
carrier wears the same blue uniform,
with Prince Albert coat and white
collar and tie. He also carries black
leather bag. - -, .*~-
The French System. =.
;. The French city postman's uniform
is Of the severe military type, dark
Eiue in color. II It consists of short