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

railroad depots were carefully looked af-
ter, but all appeared right among them.
AS for post offices, there were not more
than two out of all affected by the nu-
merous losses, through which half dozen
of the lost letters would have passed.
There was, however, one man who had
not thus far been included in the investi-
cation, chiefly because in the discharge
of his ordinary duties as baggage-master,
at central station or junction where
mail-carriers were provided by the rail-
road companies, he was not supposed to
have even a temporary charge OF any of
the mails. But while watching one of the
mail-carriers on certain evening, as he
was conveying a number of mails from a
city post office to the cars, the Agent OBJ
served him placing them in charge of the
aforesaid baggage-master, prior to the ar
rival of the train by which they were to
be forwarded.
After they had thus been committed to
his custody, he was seen to throw them
carelessly into his baggage-room, and en-
ter the room, closing the door behind him
After lapse of several minutes, he came
out, piled the bags upon a barrow or bag
gage-truck, and wheeled them to point
upon the platform, opposite which the ap-
preaching train was to stop. The un-
necessary operation of placing the bags
in the room when the train was nearly OF
quite due, was very suspicious circum.
stance, when taken in connection with
other movements. The Postmaster of q
neighboring city was requested to be
present at the opening Of the mail, to see
whether certain letter packages arrived
which were known to have been in the
through mail pouch for his Office thai
evening. The reply was, opened mai
myself, no letterssfor this delivery.
An hour and half had now passed
since the train had left, and if the maik
had been rifed in the baggage-room, suf
ficient time had been afforded the robbel
to have concealed or destroyed the direct
proof of his guilt upon this occasion
Hence no open action was then taken il
view of the discoveries made. Besides
there was too much at stake to warrant
the incurring of any risk on the strength
of these facts.
The following evening the movements
ofthe uspectedperson were again watched
the Agent having better knowledge re
specting the exact nature and value of &
portion Of the mail bags which were to bt
forwarded at that time.
Upon this occasion, the train was 'or
time and the carrier little later thar
usual, so the mails were placed directly
upon the barrow, and wheeled by ths
baggage-master to an obscure part of tht
depot, more remote from observation anC
less in the way of passers, than where
they were carried the previous night
After remaining there a short time, he
rolled the truck and its valuable loa(
back to the usual spot, in readiness fol
the train. -.E1 & .Gs5
The strange maneuvre indicated still
another and colder operation, but thu
probability were that he had been foilet
in any attempt he might have designed
to make by a person whom l saw follow
ing him into his dark retreat to max,
application for baggage, as I supposed
for they both entered the baggage room
and soon came out, the stranger with ;
valise in his hand. The contre temp
excited in my mind no very amiable feel
ings towards its innocent cause, for / ha,
concluded to bring the affair to crisi
at once, should the telegraph report any
thing missing from the mails. But tn
dispatch received that evening, was Al
right, which confirmed my belief that m,
plans and those of the baggage maste
had been frustrated by the stranger.
Another train from the opposite direc
ton, and bringing mails for delivery a
this point, were due at late hour, an
as there had also been losses from thes
mails, l decided to wait and see wha
usage they received on their arrival
which owing to heavy snowdrifs some
where on the road, was delayed till nea
midnight.
When the train came in, and the bag
gage was disposed of the mails were a.
carried to the baggage room instead c
the post office, and after putting out tn
gas lights about the depot, the faithful
baggage master returned to his apart
ments. a aE
Through small swinging window de
singed for ventilation, opening into hi
room near the top, i could see fair
light, and from its unsteady motions