The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1856-03-28
Catching a Mail Robber.

hSeu' vi LUG iost once Department. Til,
book may be had at DUFF1Es bookstore
Newberry c. g., for 81 25, and the reade
who desires rich repast will do well t,
order copy.-EDs. Press.
The close Of the year 1889, and the ope
nlng OF 1910, were marked in the Post
Otflce Department with frequent and start
ling announcements of the loss, by mail. O
valuable " letters from Southern Virginia, anc
Eastern and Northern North Carolina, di
rected to Richmond and other commercial
cities farther North.
These cases, as they reached the depart
ment, were duly prepared aud submitted tc
the Special Agent for investigation. Search
and inquiry were promptly instituted. Bu,
tor time the utmost vigilance failed to Oh,
tain any clue to the supposed embezzlemcnts
The cases of loss continued to multiply
and at length the Agents attention was
particularly drawn 10 the Distributing Post.
Office at p.
A circle of numerous facts pointed un.
nlstakeably to this spot as their centre and
focus. 1t was here that the lines Of circu,n-
stant'ai evidence from every quarter con-
verged and met. The post-office at p.
therefore, became an Object of special inter
est in the eyes of the Agent.
However, investigations in this direction
proved at first no more successful than else,
where: The high integrity of character
'or which the post master was distinguish
cd, and the excellent reputation Of his
clerks, stood like a wall of adamant in the
way OF all evidence and all suspicion.
The agent seemed destined to be b,ffled
at every point. Yet stern truth stared
him in the face, and fixed its immoveablc
|lnger over the Distributing office. Every
missing letter, although reaching P. by va
'ious routes, had been mailed at no;nts
South Of it for points North of it. Here
hey must all concentrate. and Lprn -=e>..l.
he losses could have occurred.
Several days were passed by the Agent
n p. and the vicinity, quietly pursuing his
Investigations. No person knew the secret
If his business. lie became acquainted
With the post master and his two clerks,
studied their characters, and their social
I
The first was man Of position and COM
petence, whose honor no breath of calumny
lad ever dimmed, and who could not posi-
bly, have any motive for periIing the peace
md prosperity Of his family by dishonest
course. Neither did tho unflnwed respcc-
ability Of the clerks bctray any chink or
,revice in which 10 harbor doubt.
The elder of these, and the superior in
'ffice, was a young man of education and
efncmcnt. We will call his name Garlic
on. His face was frank, his eye steady
md clear, his manners always sclfpossesscd
md easy The Agent liked and admired
lin from. the first. He learned too that he
vas favorite with all who knew him
hat his connections were among the first
antilles in the State; and that by histnlents
md high-toned generous impulses, he had
20 far nobly sustained the lustre Of his fam
ly name.
Another circumstance was greatly in
Carleton's favor. Although descended from
The "aristocracy," the fortunes Of his family
had run somewhat low in the latter genera
lions; and now, his father being dead, he
devoted himself zealously to the maintcn-
ance of hisaged mother, and tie education
and support of his'only sister.
The junior clerk was youth Of minor
He was uniformly retiring in
his manners. Although by no means per-
son Of forbidding aspect, there was some
thing measured and guarded in his move
ments, far less progressing than the free
and chivalrous bearing Of Carleton. This
apparent prudence might arise from various
causes. The Agent could not believe that
it was the result Of secretive and dishon-
est disposition. If such was the case, how
ever, that same discretion had effectually
in covering the poverty 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 bold
and hazardous blow. He sought a,private
interview With Carleton.
.."Do you know" said he, "that I am here
on very delicate. and peculiar .businessa"
"lhad not thoughaof such q thing ro-
piled Carleton. g :. ~ a s.,
"Well, sir, l will itell you. am con.
vinced that you are the very man 70 assist
me. Iftyou will, you may do me and ..the
PoskG Office Department o signal service"
a4T do not understand you.s - .;. s.,
but yon win. First, however, give
me ycaFpledge that what / have 70 divnlge
shall ilsbe. held 10 striotes. conAdenes and
honor by you. rs 81; = = ::ss,
ertainly. said Ga.lesan, .'iitsyous via
The Agent then stated fhss is aSiiS sil sial
bad brought him 10 esffIet6a
oppressed soHe y suFpsis y e q 81 gsse