Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-21

his family We're destitute the substitute
was often given his place. In this way 1t
happens that women are now carrying
the mails for Uncle Sam in various parts
of the United States.
There is no prejudice against women"
said Mr. De Graw. but because of the
exposure and hardships connecied with
the work men are preferred. Many in
stances have come under my observation
in the time / have been connected with
the service where women have proved
themselves to be the most honest. cour-
ageous and faithful of any of the de-
partments's employees.
"One case happened not so long ago,
when woman mail carrier, while ford
ing stream on horseback, was thrown
in the fast running current. Her mail
drown, but by swimming and wading,
mostly swimming, she overlook the bag.
and getting ashore mounted her horse and
rode about her duty. The department Is
rather proud of it's woman carriers"
Mr.. De Graw asked a woman carrier
one day what she would do if she should
be ordered to get a uniform. She re-
piled: I'D get the finest and best tailor
ed outfit that could be produced in Chi
cago..'
In the postal service of every govern
ment the work performed by the carriers
is one of the most important features of
the system. In the carrier service of the
world. and particularly the rural service
there are employed many unique methods
The costumes worn, devices employ ed
and the practices relating to mail delivery
obtaining in the various countries are of
no little interest.
Decidedly unique in comparison with
the rural carrier system of the United
States is the method of delivering letters
in the Kongo Free State, Africa. The
Kongo letter carrier is usually an ex-
ceedingly black negro. His uniform con-
sists only of a breech clout, with not
even a necktie. When he is given let
ter to deliver. he fastens 1t to the end of
long staff. and holding this in one hand
high above his head, and with a spear
in the other hand. starts on a dead 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 feet-footed Kongo
postman speeds onward to his destina-
ton, running to the door of the planta
ton house. Having delivered the letter,
the carriers days work is done in the
event he has made long trip, and after
resting awhile, with a bite to eat, he
starts laisurely on his return to the post
ONCE, to repeat the same performance to
some other part of the country the next
day This is rural mail delivery along the
kongo.
There is vast difference between the
costume of the kongo carrier and that of
the postman who delivers the rural mail
in the northern part of Russia in the
winter. The latter wears heavy felt boots
and over his heavy blue uniform, q thick
fur overcoat, with cap of the same ma
ter.al. He loads his mail sacks. together
with snow shoes and other equipment
needed in travelling in that cold cline, on
d low sleigh usually drawn by dogs. Oc-
casionally. however. the north Russian
postman is veritable Santa Claus, for
in some instances he drives a team of
RENDERS and the frost on his long beard
and the snow on his overcoat complete
his resemblance to Santa. Through the
SHOWS and ice the Russian carrier drives
the load of mail freight for days and
days, stopping at small post Offices and
farmhouses odeliver his cargo of mis-
sives.