Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-02-28

cover the papers, the money is less of an
object
This seemed to relieve him consider
ably, and he replied in cheerful tone.
! have found no such thing. 1t isn't
my business to see through the trains, but
this mans pointing to the other person
present.
'Ah, it's my mistake. Did gou see
anything of pocket-book,' / asked,
turning to the other person indicated.
NO. was the answer; have you lost
such an article?'
Twas relieved from the difficulty of this
question by rap on the door from the
Chief of Police, who was the man Of all
others / wished to see.
As he entered, l intimated to him in
whisper what was on foot, and then turn
ing to the baggage master, without any
preamble or formality, requested him
to hand me the mail-key which he had in
his possession.
/ haven't any mail-key,' was the dull
response. Very well, then, said /, 'we
shall have to search you
He turned pale, and remarked, with as
sumed carelessness, : ] suppose l know
what you want
One of the side pockets of his overcoat
appeared somewhat distended, I com
menced my investigation with that. The
first article that appeared was the large
package of letters made up that evening
for delivery at the neighboring city, be-
fore alluded to, and the next dive brought
to light heavy distribution packages for
the same Office. Several other packages
of less size were afterwards drawn forth.
After the search had been completed,
the culprit was handcufed and lodged
in Jail within half an hour from the
time when he committed this depreda-
ton.
After we had dispatched this part of
the business, we turned our attention to
the companion of the unfortunate baggage
master, who had been observing our pro-
ceedings with the utmost equanimity, tho
not without interest.
That's rather hard on Ed said he, as
the door closed on the culprit.
Yes replied I, it is. But 1 believe
we must search you, for 1 think you are
concerned in this affair
I never was searched in my life, said
he smilingly, excepting when l searched
my own pockets, and then never found
much. Perhaps you'll have better luck
at any rate it won't hurt me to have it
tried and thus saying he laid aside his
cigar, and presented himself to undergo
the ordeal. But nothing was found that
could implicate him in any way.
l then expressed fear that he might
still be an accomplice, as noticed the
baggage master open and shut the door
of the little room, while rifing the mails
that night.
An honest laugh followed this remark,
and an explanation was given me, which
satisfactorily accounted for the suspicious
circumstance.
| 1t seems that his dishonest companion,
fearing that he might come out of the
room, and detect him in the act, had
opened the door, telling him that he would
have to be locked in till the train ar
rived, and turned the key on the outside.
This passed for joke, and the imprisoned
person thought little of it, as he would
have no occasion to leave the room until
the train arrived, when it would
W AAS ouSJ " MS pCCt tut CdIb--
1t also appeared that this locking up
trick had been played several times
previously, no doubt for similar pur.
pose. -......
Thus was an honest man subject to sus-
picion, by circumstances beyond his con.
troll. A satisfactory explanation Of this
= however, was not beyond his power, and
his experience goes to increase the array
of testimony, to show the inestimable val.
ue Of clear conscience in all exigien.
leies whatever.
The key of private desk in the bag.
gage room was taken from the robber
: and in this desk was found about $4,000
in bank drafts, checks, &c, and more thar
a hundred rifed letters, which, as then
: postmark showed, must have been the
proceeds of one or two nights robbery
Eyerthing taken from the mails excep
money, had been committed to the flames
, as the criminal himself afterwards con
fessed. A large portion of the availabl,
funds which he had accumulated was re
: covered, and restored TO the rightfu