The Newtown bee., 1909-08-06

seven and twenty past, Bell Woo key flung in some packages in a
 furry, while l clambered into the only vacant seat and wedged myself between a pyramid of milliner's boxes aud a hamper of loudly pro" testing kittens.
 Half past six!" announced the voice with decision. Up flew the brake handles and the mare began to move. "Ere, old on, I'm not fin- ished!" yelled the distracted Woo key. The carrier did not slacken speed but he condescended to catch the last two parcels as they were
 tossed up to him.
 "Punctuality's the backbone of a nation," he remarked to me apolo- getically, But I cant get the folks hereabouts to value time. Beg par don, though-not a native of these parts? An! that's all right then. You see, every morning, 'cept Thurs days and Sundays, l start from the Shaven Pig half-past 6 sharp; and every blessed time that Bill Wookey dawdles over the loadin' up till he has fair to skip for the last five r.inutes Real old slow-movine Sussex breed l call hlm-being a Norfolk man myself with energy enough and to spare.
 What made you settle down here then?" I asked curiously.
 'Th>L thers"-he hit the wooden leg a sounding blow that made the brasss-tipped end vibrate and flash in the sun. Accident on board a amputated; no more chance of a life at sea. Parson sug- gested pullin' a chair soon's l could stump along, but bless you, that's lazy life, with no use for brains either. No, l started cab bage grower and I ended carrier Carriers work suits me fine. I've been at it IA year come Michaelmas, and I've got connection that any mans heart might envy. I'll match a yard O penny ribbon for a lady same's she'd do it herself, I'll change you a check for 60ib, or buy you a live pig, prime quality, and never known to be a farthing out" He turned his rugged. weather-beaten face to me in a glow of pardonable pride.
 T take leave to say that I've used my brains more than most" re- sumed the carrier in his deliberate, manner, fiickering the flies from the mares ears with the end of his whip. Tn my trade one has time to think, and thinking tells more than book-learning. It's made me liberal in a 0 hide-bound conser- that swallows what they read without biting, as you might say. But Lord! what stuff folks do write nowadays. Specially in books, good books too, as opinions go.''
 'Indeed!" said deferentially.
 "Yes. Take Dickens, now"
 "Dickens!" I cried. What of lim?"
 Well, there's Barhis, carrier he was, so I reckon I know what I'm .alking about. Now, perhaps you've never read that book though?" he nterpolated hastily, but treasured y my nod he went on. What I akes exception to, is Barkis's be- lavior to Peggotty, the young wo- nan. No carrier in his born days ;arried on like that Carriers sees GO much of womankind ever to be ,ashful with 'em, you may take my word for thst. And it's Barkis's l can't forgive; kind of nsult to the trade or mis-re-pre- He mouthed the long word carefully. "Just look at the opportunities we have; why, when
 with my wooden leg wanted a vifs I had the countryside to choose rom and Thank you kindly" He uhbed his sound leg comrlaeently. l And I never was much of ladies nan, 'cept in a way of business" He roks of with a Pull upi" and an l ncouraging chirrup to the brown 1 1are.
 Then there's another carrier" he egan again presently, "that John