The Columbian fountain., 1846-02-10
MISCELLANEOUS.
POSTMASTER GENERAL In DIS.
GUISE. @
BY soI SMITH.

On my way to the North, in 1885, in
company with several gentlemen Of New
Orleans, It happened that the stage in
which we were passengers stopped for sup
per at small village, situated between the
towns Of Columbus and GAINESVILLE, on the
Cuberland foad, in the State Of Ohio.
There was great gathering of militia
captains, lieutenants, ensigns, sergeants, and
corporals, with considerable sprinkling Of
privates, all of whom had been exhibiting
their patriotism during the day, by marching
up and down the roads, shouldering arms,
carrying arms, presenting aims, and charg-
ing bayonets, preparatory to the intended
hostile operations against the neighboring
State of Michigan, the authorities Of which,
and those of the State Of Ohio, were at open
war--almost-abou boundary.
For the purpose Of amusement, it had
been agreed that the stage-driver should be
informed, confdeniaHy, that / was Amos
Kendall, Postmaster General Of the United
States, travelling in disguise, and assuming
the very common name Of Smith, in order
to discover abuses in the transportation de-.
partment. With many mysterious hints,
and under strict charges of secresy. Jehu
was made acquainted with the awful fact,
that he was actually driving the important
individual above named. The reins al
most fell from his hands sWhat, Mr..
Kindle! Amos Kindle ~ exclaimed the
astonished driver-ss it can't be possible I"
"lt is possible" answered the gentleman
who was impartng the information, and
who was enjoying an outside seat " and
it is his wish to be entirely private, in or
der to avoid the attentions that would 9TH
erwise be lavished upon him." The driver
promised the most inviolable secrecy, and
proceeded to curry down his horses.
We had not been long in the hotel, where
our supper was being prepared, before it was
plainly perceptible that something was going
on, curious glances were thrown into the
bar-room where we were sitting-militia Of
ficers fitted about or collected into groups
the landlord and his family began to
spruce up; in brief, twas evident our secret
thad been confidentially impaired to halfthe
village.
| The first demonstration that twas made,
consisted of an invitation to my friends and
myself to accept the use Of the private par
lor. This being at once agreed to, the
landlord ventured to suggest that if not dis
agreeable to me, my fellow citizens of the
village would like 10 pay their respects to
me, and take me By the hand.
"No objections in the world" said he,
+" let the worthy citizens come in"
Then followed scene Of the richest
kind of fun, bat Dickens has described
similar adventure, and pass on.
Supper was announced was placed at
the head of the table-the richest viands
and preserved fruits were set in profusion
before us. We feasted and during the
operation numerous female heads-or, ra-
ther, heads of females-were continually
popping in at the windows, and open doors,
while the piazza was filled with boys of
all sizes, who amused themselves by firing
off Chinese crackers, sending up young
rockets, and shouting "hurra for Jackson
and his cabinet
Supper over, we retired to the bar, and
demanded our bill of expenses. The landA
lord smiingly answered, that lie was too
happy to entertain us without compensa-
tion-he felt honored by my sitting at his
board, and my friends were equally vel.
come. After much urging, consented to
receive his hospitality gratuitously, since he
insisted on it, but my friends, would not
consent that they should feastat his expense
--oh, no! They must be allowed to pay
for their splendid supper. Well, ifI insisted,
he ,couM take pay from them land he did.
"Could say two or three words to you
in private }" asked the landlord, in low
voice as he walked by my side towards the
coach, which was waiting.
"By all means," | replied and he led
me little one side, into dark part of the
piazza. After two or three hems to clear
his throat the landlord commenced
"Whatever others may think of you, sir,
consider you an honest man"
9" Sir, | feel very much obliged by the
favorable estimate you have formed of me-"
eyes, sir, let the opposition say what
they please, believe you to be aconscien-
tious individual--I do"
"Well, sir, considering this is the first
time we have ever met, must say your
liberality is extraordinary; but thank you
for your good opinion" ...a
"Ah, sir, though we have never met, I
know you well---we all know you for
most efficient officer, and deserving man.''