Joan: Sorry, but it isn't the Pony Express -- it began in April 1860 and lasted less than two years! :-(( By 1880, the telegraph system was in place and the first transcontinental railroad complete (1869), so communication from coast to coast was possible, and goods delivery was, too. So communication east/west and vice versa via horse, rather than by sea, was no longer needed. I suspect that the person could have worked for a local/regional package or goods delivery service, or for the US Post Office working with express mail (probably more likely). Exactly where in the US was the person found in the census? Have you seen the original image or are you just looking at the FamilySearch transcription? The place the person was found could tell me a great deal to help you. Sally Washington state, US