The Empire County argus., 1856-08-30
From Holbrook's Ten Years among the Mail Bags"
Dishonesty in the Post Office

From Holbrooks Ten Years among the Mail Bags"
Dishonesty in the Post Office
Several days were passed by the agent in P. and
the vicinity quietly pursuing his Investigations. No
person knew the secret of his business. He became
acquainted with the postmaster and his two clerks,
studied their characters and their social circumstances
The firsa was a man of position and circumstance,
whose honor no breath of calumny had ever dimmed,
and who covld not possibly have any motive for per-
ling the peace and prosperity Of his family by dis
honest course. Neither did the unhawed respecta-
bity of the clerks betray any chink or crevice in
which to harbor a doubt.
The elder Of these, and the superior in the office,
was a young man of education and refinement. We
will call his name Carlton. His face was frank, his
eye steady and clear his manners always sepossess-
ed and easy. The agent liked and admired him from
the first. He learned toe that he avOrite with
all who knew hm-that his connections were among
the frest families in the State and that by his tai
cnts and high-toned impulses he had noby sustained
the luster of his family name.
Another circumstance was greatly in Cartons fa-
vor Although descended from the aristocracy,'
the fortunes OF his family had run somewhat low in
the later generations and now, his father being
dead he devoted himself zealousy to the maintenance
of bis aged MOTHER and the education and support of
his only sister.
He was uniformly retiring in his manners. Altho'
l}y no means person of forbiddng aspect there was
something measured and guarded in his movements,
far less prepossessng than the free and chvalrous
bearing Of Carlton. This might arise from various
causes The agent could not believe that it was the
result Of secretiye and dishonest disposition. If
such the case, however, that discretion had
Seotually succeeded in covering the poverty of his
moral character from public scrutiny
R3iad at every OOint where he attemnfad to hanp
tire sad burden of criminal facts, the agent resoved
nippon striking bold and hazardous blow. lie sought
y private interview with Carlton
n DO you know said he q" that I am here on very
delicate and peculiar business.'
al had no thought Of such a thing" replied Carl
ton.
"WeIl, sr will tell you l am convinced that
may do me and the Postof1ice Department signal
service.
Il do not understand pou.1
No, but you will. First, however, give me your
pledge that what have to divulge shall be kept in
the strctest confidence and honor by you
Certainly" said Carlton, if you wish it,
The agent then stated the business that had bro't
him to p Carlton expressed some surprise but
checrully promised to afford the Department any as
sistance and information in his power.
Have you mentioned the subject to Mr.. B?' 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. dislike to disturb
his confidence until the establishment of strong proof
renders it my duty to do So"
You can speak to me with perfect painness, y
said Carlton.
81 trust so'' said the agent and to come to the
point at once, wish you to open your nmost tho'ts
and tell if you regard it as possible that your fel
low clerk can be guilty of these depredations upon
the mails
"You shock me-" said Carlton, not without emo
ton.
Speak freely" said the agent.
"Why could almost soon think Of suspecting
Mr.. B. himself" exclaimed the other. Il believe
Howard to be perfectly honest"
Certainly, know nothing to the contrary and
sincerely hope your judgment is well founded You
will not, therefore, fail to unite with me in tracing
the embezzements to their true source matter at
whose door the blame may be laid
Carlton promised him his cooperation, and they
separated.
On our agents return to the hotel, the landlord
thus addressed him:
"You asked me if / could give you any more
large bills in exchange for small ones | can accom-
modate you this morning, / have one hundred dol
lar note which, if you are sending money by mail
VIII be very convenient
Thank you,' replied the agent; ait will be a
great accommodation"
One can imagine the agents secret triumph in dis
covering in this one of the very bills he in search
Of and having made the purchase he held the bank
note up to the light.
81 suppose you will warrant this paper to be gen.
uine?"
There is no doubt about it, sir" said the land
lord
"Of course you know from whom you obtained
it,"
''Fo be sure. took it of one of my boartcrs this
morning, Captain Wilkins"
Il have no doubt the bill is good" said the Agent
putting it into his pocket "You are sure you hat
it of the Captain?"
80, yes! 1t wasn't an hour ago he gave it t.
me-
"By the way, who is this Captain Wilkins? He
very gentlemanly appearing fellow"
30, he's capital fellow" said the landlord.
whats his busness?"
He keeps a faro bank"
Captain Wilkins, who had gone out for ride