New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1878-09-04
THE PRIVATE SECRETARY.
An HI cident OF SapOleoM's Threatened
Invasion Of England


About the beginning of this century,
while the Revolutionary Vans were rag
Ing. communication in cipher was snatur-
ally very prevalent; and ingenuity was
taxed to the utmost on one hand to in
vent, and On the other 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 conventional signs mere
ly were used, the recurrence of the differ
ent symbols gave key easily followed
out. Some ingenious spirits correspond
ed by reference to the pages and lines
particular editions of particular books
others by an agreed-on vocabulary. But
these last methods, although they might
preserve the secret, disclosed what was
often quite as dangerous, that there was a
secret. am about to tell you Of a plan
which for q long time was not only unde-
tected, but unsupported. rs 5-if> / D =
It was at that time when the first Ma
poleon had assembled his fleets and tran
sports at Brest, with the 5ostenslb.e. and
as is generally believed the real, view of
making q descent on England. The
greatest precautions were observed BY
the English Government in regard to
correspondence with France, and an
amount of espionage was practiced at the
post-office which left Sir James Graham 8
subsequent performances in that line far
behind. The national excitement was
intense, and the political department was
administered with an iron sway.
IL My uncle, Sir George Trevor, was, as
all the world then knew, high in the Ad-
miralty; and as it was, from him that
heard this anecdote, its tveracity may be
depended on. 70 s.r.s -... .,-.-,,-.
The dispatches to and from the Ad-
miralty were the subject of the greatest
vigilance and the most stringent 1egula-
tons. The clerks were not permitted to
send or receive letters which were not
first submitted to the chief clerk, and it
was believed that letters addressed even
to their private residences were frequent
ly opened at the post office. ...-..-,. -..-.....
At the time speak of, the chief clerk
was an elderly man of the name of Park
era wizened, wiry, dapper individual,
so imbued with the official tlncture of
Whitehall that it had become second ma
ture to him. III He was a genial and kindly
soul, keen and energetic IN the affairs Of
his office. and mall Others a mere child.
He had ,engaged4as private secretary
young fellow by the name of Beaumont,
who was one of the most promising sub
ordinates in the establishment. He was
a modest, unassuming man, very good
looking, with countenance and an air
suggestive Of depression and melancholy
He was evidently of good education, and
probably well-born also, for his manners
were easy, and indicated good breeding
~ He was native of jersey and had been
introduced to the notice Of the Admiral
ty authorities by some influential men,
Der Of Parliament. He was much liked
in the office, and dicharged; his duties to
perfection. ~
One morning Parker presented himself
before my uncle, with a visage pale with
woe, and trembling with excitement
"Why, what is the matter, Parker? Has
Benaparte Gomez"
He may have, for aught know" said
Parker. Things are all wrong, Sir
Georgcw
What are wrong?'
"The letters are wrong. There is spy
among us. / have known it for long;
now am quite sure: but can not find
him OUT ~
Parker went on to explain that he had
Tor some time suspected that some one in
the office communicated their private in
formation and dispatches outside. He
had redoubled his precautions; but more
than ever confirmed in his suspicious,
was entirely baffied in his endeavors to
detect the. culprit.
"But, Parker" said my uncle, chow do
you cvme to be SO sure that your secrets
have transpired"
by the funds, Sir George. They an,
swer to the news as surely as the bell
down stairs does to the bell-rope. | find
them going up and down as if they we're