The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-02-07
POSTMASTER GENERAL in DISGUISE.
BY SOL SMITH.


vile, on the Cumberland road, in the Stale Of
Ohio.
There was great gathering Of militia cap
talns, iieutenants, ensigns. sergeants, and corpo
rails, with considerable sprnkng of priyates
all q, whom had been exhibiting their patriotism
during the day, by marching up and down the
road, shouldering arms, carrying arms presen,
ing arms, aud charging bayone,s, preparatory TO
the intended hostile operations against the neigh
boring State of Michigan, the authorities nj
which. aud those of the State of Ohio, were al
open war-almost-about bOundaru
For the purpose If amusement it had been
agreed that the stage driver should he inf;,rmpd
cohftdenHdity, that was Amos Kendall, Post
master General Of the United States travelling
In disguise, and assuming the very common maine
OF Smith, ia order To discover abuses in the trans
pnfiaiion department. With many mysterious
hints, and under strict charges Of secresy, Jehu
was made acquainted with the awful fact, thai
he was actually driving the important individual
above named. The rens almost fell from his
handss What, Mr.. Kindle! Amos Kindl.r"l
exclaimed the astonished driver it can't be-
possible q 1T is possible" answered the gen
tleman who was Impartng the nformaliun and
VINO was enjoying an outside seat Il" and IL is lis
wish To be entirely private, in order To avoid the
attentions that would otherwise be lavished npun
him" The driver promised The most invioabIe
secresy, and proceeded to curry down his horses
We had not been long ia the hotel. where our
supper was being prepared. before il was plainly
perceptlbe that something was gnng on curluus
glances were thrown into the bar-ruoln where we
were sliting-milita officers fitted about or col
lected into groups-the landlord and his family
began to spruce up; in brief, it was evident our
secret had been confidentially impaired to hall
the village.
The first demonstration that was made. CON-
sisted ct an invitation To my friends and mysell
tn accept the use of the private parlor. This
being at once agreed to, the landlord veniured To
suggest that 1t not dlsagrceable TO me, nv fellow
citizens of The village would like to nav their req
poets TO me. and take me by the baud.
: No objections in the world" said {" let the
worthy citizens come inn
Then followed scene of the richest kind of
tnn--bnt Dickens has described similar adj
venture, and pass on.
Supper was announced. I was placed at the
head ut the table-the richest viands and pre-.
served fruits were set in profusion before us
We toasted - and during the operation numerous
female heads-or. rather, heads of females
were continually popping in at the windows, and
open doors, while the piazza was filled with boys
OF a ! sizes, who amused themselves by firing uff
Chinese crackers. sending up young rockets, and
shouting hurra for jackson and his cabinetir
Supper over, retired 10 the bar, and de-
manded our bill of expenses The landlord
smilIngiy answered, that he was too happy to en-
terrain us without compensa lion-he fell hono.ed
by my sitting at his board, and my friends were
equally welcome. After much urging, consent
ed to receive his hospitality grautously. since
he insisted on it, but my friends, | would not
consent that they should feast at his expense--oh,
no They must be allowed to paw for their
splendid supper. Well if insisted he ,pouid
take pay from Mem-and he did
" Could say two or three words to Won in
private" asked the landlord. in low voice as
he walked by my side towards the coach, which
was waiting.
. BY all MEANS" replied aud he led me
little one side, into dark part of the piazza
After two or three hems to clear his throat, The
landlord commenced
Z" Whatever others may think of you, sir, /
consider you an honest man.
Sir, feel very much obliged by the favora.
Bile estimate formed of me-"
- Yes, sir, let the opposition say what they
please, believe you to bea conscientious indivd-
uaI-I do'
well, sir, considering this is the first time
we have ever met, must say your llberaIlty is
extraordinary but l thank you for your goud
opinion"
All, sir, though we have never met, know
you well-we all know you for most efficient
officer, and a deserving man.
. Ii is true am toIeraby well known in the
Western and Southern country, as for my eff
cheney, | believe do push ahead as hard as a
man conveniently CAM
That you do-all parties must acknowledge
It, You have effected many improvements in
your department"
" Yes. flatter myself that in the stare depart
men have made some improvements"
Your removals have net with general appro.
val in this part of the country -
Removals Oh yes; do travel great deal !"
Yes, you do, and to some purpose. Now
vented to speak to you about our Postmaster
here
/" Indeed! Well, what of him ?"
Are you not aware that he is a whiu %
Nu!--is he2"
" Yes. he s-and it is thought by the friends
of the Administration here, that he ought to be
removed, and good democrat appointed"
What is the Office worth 81
About $3.50 year"
Who would be proper person for the office ~
Why. couldn't exactly say butit''
Would you accept the appointment
Most willingly, If you should think me wor
thy"
Well, Pll tell you what you'd better do
Write ON To the depaument-sia state the matter as
you've stated it To me, and perhaps
met