Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-04-23
MISCELL a N Y


From RolOrooks "7sn gears Among the Nal Bays"
The Fate of the Gambler.
TRUE STORY.
The close of the year 1889, and the opening
of 1910, were marked in the post office depart
ment with frequent and startling announcements
of the loss, by mall of valuable letters from
southern Virginia, and eastern and northern
North Carolina, and directed to Richmond and
other commercial cities farther north.
These cases as they reached the department,
were duly prepared and submitted TO the special
agent for Investigation. Search and inquiry
were promptly instituted; but for time the
utmost vigilance failed to obsain any clue to
the supposed embezzements. The cases OF losses
continued to multiply and at length the agents
attention was particularly drawn to the distri-
;buting post office at z.
A circle OF numerous facts pointed unmstak-
ably to this spot rs the center and locus. II
was here that the lines OF circumstantial evil
dence from every quarter converged and met
The post office at F., therefore, became an OBJ
iect of special interest in the eyes OF the agent.
However, Investigations III the direction prov
ed at first no more successful than elsewhere
The high integrity OF character for which the
post master was distinguished, and the excellent
reputation of his clerks, stood like q wall Of ad-
amant in the way of the evidence and suspicion.
The agent seemed destined to be batfled at
every point. Yet stern truth stared him in
the face, and fixed its i,nmoveable finger over
the distributing office. Every missing letter,
although reaching p. by various routes, had
been mailed at points south of it for points north
of it. Here they must all concentrate, and here
only 1t was, therefore, at this place, only, that
all the losses could have occurred.
Several days were passed by the agent at P.
and the vicinity, quietly pursuing his investiga-
tions. No person knew the secret Of his busi-
ness. He became acquainted with the post
master and his two clerks, studied their charac-
tiers, and their social circumstances.
The first was man of position and compe-
ssnce, whose honor no breath of calumny had
ever dimmed, and who could not possibly have
any motive for periling the peace and prosperity
of his family by q dishonest course. Neither
die the unfawed respectability of the clerks be-
tray any chink or crevice in which to harbor q
doubt.
The eldest of these and the superior in the
office, was young man of education and refine
ment. We will call his name Carleton. His
face was frank, his eyes steady and clear, his
manner always selt-possessed and easy. The
agent liked him and admired him from the first
He learned too that he was favorite with all
who knew him-that his connections were a.
mong the first families in the State; and that by
his talents and hgh-toned, generous impulses, he
so far nobly sustained the lustre OF his family
name.
Another circumstance was greatly in Carle-
tons favor. Although descended from the ''aris-
tocracy,n the fortunes of his family had run
somewhat low in the latter generations; and
now, his father being dead, he devoted himself
zealously to the maintenance of his aged mother,
and the education and support of his only sister.
The junior clerk was youth OF minor preten-
sions. He was uniformly retiring in his manners.
Although by no means q person of torbiddIng
aspect there was something measured and guar
ded in his movements, far less prepossessing than
the free and chivarous bearing of Carleton
This apparent prudence might arise from various
causes. The agent could not believe that it was
the result of secretiye and dishonest DISPOSE
tion If such was the case, however, that some
discretion had effectually succeeded in covering
the property of his moral character from public
scrutiny.
Foiled at every point where he attempted to
hang the sad burden of criminal facts the agent
resolved upon striking a bold and hazardous
blow. He sought private interview with
Carleton.
$40 YOU know" said he, ''that am here on
very delicate and peculiar business Z"
Il had not thought of such thing" replied
Carleton.
''welI, sir, will tell you. | am convinced
that you are the very man to assist me. Il
you will, you will do me and the post-ofhce de-
partment signal service"
III do not understand you"
mo, but you will First, however, give me
your pledge that what have to divulge shall
be held in the strictest confidence and honor by
YOU"
"Certainly," said Carleton, 'if you wish it."
The agent then stated the business that had
brought him to p. Carleton expressed some
surprise, but cheerfully promised to afford the
department any assistance and information in
his power.
"Have you mentioned the subject to Mr.. B n
he asked.
Not yet he is the nominal postmaster, it is
true. but YOU have far more intimate knowledge
of the details of the office than he has. | have
another reason for not speaking with him.
dislike to disturb his confidence until the es
tablishment of strong proofs renders it my duty
to do so.n
~You speak to me with perfect plainness,'
said Carleton.
81 trust SO" replied the agent "And l an
sure you will do all you can to set me rlgnt, II
am wrong. Nor will YOU am convinced suffer
me to injure an innocent person i'll your estima'
ton. 10 come to the point, then, L WISH you