Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1872-06-13
POSTAL ROMANCE.
A Mail carrier who Was Not a Male
Carrier,
From the Jackson (AIo.> Cashbook.

Carrier,
From the Jackson DIo.) Cashbook.
About four months since trim, rosy
looking boy applied to Col. Pendegrass
of the Globe hotel mail contractor be-
tween this place and Perryyille, for the
situation of mail carrier on the route
The colonel, pleased with the little and
supple figure of the applicant, whose
avoirdupois seemed commensurable
with the powers OF the ordinary postal
horse or mule struck the bargain and
Billy Reed (the name given by the
YOUTH held up his little hand and
swore to do all kinds Of possible things
with the loye-letters, garden-seeds, z.
DIS, &c, that might be entrusted to his
care as a q. S. official not liable to be
drafted into the army
Billy made his first trip in excellent
time. Herr Fricdrichs SMILED sweetly
as the mailbag 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, pat
ted Billy on the head and, as reward
for his industry promised to let him
sleep with the Globes genial boarder,
Capt. Dick Ivers of the court house
But this part didn't work well for in
the morning Capt. Dick informed the
landlord that he wanted him to take
that boy ont Of his bed. inasmuch as
said boy slept with his clothes on and
rolled himself up in a knot. Billy also
complained of Capt Dicks snoring
IN consequence, they thereafter woed
tired natures sweet restOrer III their
own separate cots.
Billy continued his avocation for
about two weeks, when he suddenly
disappeared; but after a short absence
returned to the mail sacks and continu-
ed 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 Billie leIs
urely walking down the road il com
pany with a young man. Johnny rub
bed his eyes to make sure that it was
Billy he saw Cor since he had PLAYED
marbles with Billy the latter's person.
al appearance had undergone n wonder
full change. Instead of the black
SLOUGH hat, was Il gay Dolly Warden;
the coat had merged into a loose sack,
and the breeches had magicallv disup-
peared in the bright folds of a cling
ham dress, from the collar of which
flashed a respondent breastpin. In a
word, Billy was herself again, charm
ing little maid The story is soon
told: While out riding near Perryyille,
few days previous, she had been dis
covered by her brother. He prevailed
on her to stop the male" business,
and came down to Jackson with her.
Wednesday night she quietly folded up
her boyhood's clothes, assumed a more
graceful attire, and, with her brother,
silently stole away.
She was born in Bolinger county, and
was early left an orphan. Her name is
Mary J. Sherwood, aged about sixteen
years, and Is quite a comedy lass Mr.
Farmer, near Millersville, took her to
raise but after remaining short time,
she went to live at the widow Valentine
knott's where she so mysteriously dis
appeared as to arouse suspicious OF foul
play, now happily allayed, Business
matters she conducted with scrupulous
honesty, aud her name is unattended
with the shadow of reproach. So well
did she manage her disguise, that not
the slightest suspicion was entertained
by any of her real sex.