The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-08-16
From the jackson (Mo.) Cosbbook.
A MAIL CARRIER WHO WAS
NOT A MALE CARRIER.

About four months since, n trim.
rosy-looking boy applied to Colonel
Pendergrass, Of the Globe Hotel,
mail contractor between this place
and Peryville, for the situation of
mail carrier on the route, The Colo
mel, pleased with the 1.-THE and sup
pie figure of the applicant, whose
avoirdupois seemed commensurate
with the powers of the ordinary pos
tai horse or mule, struck the bargain,
and Billy Reed (the name given by
the YOUTH held up his little hand
swore to do all kinds of possible and
impossible things with the love-let-
ters, garden-seeds, Z. Ds., etc., that
might be entrusted to his care as
United States ofiicial-not liable to
be drafted into the army.
Billy made his first trip in excel
lent time. Herr Fredrichs smiled
sweetly as the mail bag came flying
into his window an hour earlier than
usual; and the Colonel, after looking
at his mules back TO see that it was
not rubbed, patted Billy on the head
and as q reward for his industry
promised to let him sleep with the
Globes general boarder. Captain
Dick Ivers, of the Court House.
But this part didn't work well, for
in the morning Captain Dick inform
ed the landlord that he wanted him
to take that boy out of his bed, mas
much as said boy slept with his
clothes on and rolled himself up into
knot. Billy also complained of
Captain Dicks snoring. In conse-
quence, they thereafter wooed tired
Natures sweet restorer in their own
separate cots.
Billy continued his avocation for
about two weeks, when he suddenly
disappeared; but after a short ab-
sence returned to the mail sacks and
continued on the route until last
Thursday, when he again turned up
missing. But the mail must go.
Col. p. started his son Johnny, who,
when near Patton, discovered the
absconding Billy lislurely walking
down the road in company with a
young man. Johnny rubbed his
eyes TO make sure it was Billy he
saw; for since he had last played
marbles with Billy, the latter's per-
sonal appearance had undergone a
wonderful change. Instead of the
black slonch hat, was gay Dolly
Warden; the coat had merged in a
loose sack, and the breeches had
magically disappeared in the bright
folds Of gingham dress, from the
collar of which flashed resplendent
breastpin. In q word, Billy was
herself again, charming little maid.
The story is soon told: While out
riding near Perryvill few days pre-
yious. she had been discovered by
her brother. He prevailed on her
to stop the "male" business. and
come down to jackson with him.
Wednesday night she quietly folded
up her boyhood's clothes. assumed a
more graceful attire, and, with her
brother, quietly stole away.
She was born in Bollinger county
and was early left an orphan. Her
name is Mary Jane Sherwood, aged
about sixteen years, and is quite a
comely lass. Mr., Farmer, near
Millersville, took her to raise; bu.
after remaining short time she went
to live with widow Valentine Knott,
whence she SO mysteriously disap-
peared as to arouse suspicion of foul
play, now happily allayed. Busi-
ness matters she conducted with
scurpulous honesty, and her name is
unattended with the shadow of re-
proach. So we'll did she manage
her disguise, that not the slightest
suspicion was entertained by any Of
her real sex.