Litchfield enquirer., 1870-07-21
PARKER'S PRIVATE SECRETARY.

IS put lltIl9 KnOWQ, ana WHICH you VIII not find in books, but one of which neverthe- less had great effect on her destinies.
 About the beginning of this century, while the Revolutionary wars were raging, ,comum- nication in cipher was naturally very preva- lent; and ingenuity was taxed to the ut most on one hand to invent, and on the otber to detect the medium used in secret correspondence. As a rule, the decipherer had beaten the cipher, and no known method was secure of detection. If con- ventional signs merely were used, the re- curence of the different symbols gave 8 key easily followed out. Some ingenious spirits correspond by reference to the pages and lines of particular editions of books methods, although they might preserve the secret, disclosed what was often quite as dangerous, there was a secret. | am about to tell you of plan which for long time was not only undetected, but unsus- pected.
 It was at that time when the first Ma poleon had assembled his fleet and trans ports at Brest, with the ostensible, and as is generally believed the real view, of mak- ing descent on England. The greatest precautions were observed by the English government in regard to correspondence from France, and all amount of espionage was practiced at the post efice, which left Sir James Graham's subsequent perform ances in that line far behind. The nation al excitement was intense, and the political departments of the government were ad- ministered with an iron sway.
 My uncle, Sir George Trevor, was, as all the world then knew, high in the Admi- rality-and as it was from him that heard this anecdote, it's veracity may be depended on.
 The dispatches to and from the Admiralty were the subject of the gravest vigilance, and the most stringent regulations. The clerks were not permitted to send or re- ceive letters which were not flst submitted to the chief clerk; and it was believed that letters addressed even to private residences were frequently opened at the post-ofice.
 At the time l speak of, the chief clerk was an elderly man of the name of Parker a wizened, wiry, dapper individual, so inn bued with the official tincture of Whitehall that it had become second nature to him. He lived and breathed and thought and slept solely for the Admiralty, and knew no other pleasure or care. He was withal genial and kindly soul, keen and ener- getic in the affairs of his office, and in all others mere child.
 He had assumed as his private secretary young fellow of the name of Beaumont, who was one of the most promising sub- ordinates in the establishment He was modest and unassuming, very good looking, with countenance and an air suggestive of depression and melancholy He was evidently of good education. and probably we'll born also, for his manners were easy and indicated good breeding. He was a 0f T h-,1 :,~I~ to the notice of tha- admiralty authorities by some influential member of Parliment. He was much liked in the office and dis. charged his duties to perfection.
 One morning Parker presented himself before my uncle with visage pale with woe and trembling with excitement.
 sWhy, what is the matter, Parker? Has Bonaparte come?" .....s .
 He may have for aught I know" said Parker. 'Things are all wrong, Sir Georger
 "What is wrong?"
 'The letters are wrong. There is spy among us. l have known it for long time, now l am quite sure; but l cannot find him out"
 Parker went on to explain that he had for some time suspected that some one in the office communicated their private in- formation and despatches outside. He had redoubled his precautions; but, more than ever confirmed in his suspicious, was entirely baffled in his endeavors to detect the culprit. ..... ...-. ........f.
 ''But, Parker" said my uncle, chow do you come to be so sure that your secrets have transpiied?" s
 By the funds, Sir George. They an- swer to the news as surely as the bell down stairs answers to the bell rope. I find them going up and down as if they were sitting in the office, 'said Parker, personify- ing the stock exchange for momnt.
 "Have all the letters to the clerks been examined strictly?"
 ''Yes; I read them all myself"
 s'Find nothing in them?" ....
 Mighty little. Some are from home and some from friends; but most of them from sweethearts," said Parker, twisting his face into @ grim smile, ''and rum things they say in them"
 ''And the young mems letters. Are they rum, too?"
 'sThey are more careful like, as they know am to see them; but Lord save you, sir, they are all stuff; not ha'porth of harm in them"
 ''This matter must be seen to-" said my uncle; "I have had my own misgivings on the same subject. Bring me all the let. ters which come to and are sent by the clerks for the next week. There is no reason why you should have all the rum things to yourself"
 So my uncle had the letters for week, and found them very much such as Parker had described them. The suspicious symp- toms increased; the stock exchange re- sponded more sensitively than ever; but not the slightest ground for suspecting any one transpired. My uncle was be- wildered, and Parker was rapidly verging to insanity"
 sIt is certainly not the clerks" said my uncle. '"There is no reason there," said he, pushing back the letters of the day. 'By the way, how does young Beaumont get on9 She seems nice creature, that sister of his, to judge by her letters"
 ''He is the best hand in the office, long sight; and his sister is 8 very ladylike crea- ture. They are orphans, poor things, and he supports her out of his salary. She called at the office two months ago, and gave him leave to see her for few mo- ments in my room. But he knew it was against the rules, and has not seen her here again. #.
 t.But what are we to do?" said my uncle. 'I think will speak to the First Lord.'.
 So he spoke to the First Lord, who thought the affair serious enough.
 ''It must be in the letters, said he.
 sIt cannot be in the letters" said my