National Republican., 1883-08-24
LOST IN TIE MOUNTAINS.
The Unpiea snnt Experience OF II Postal
Inspector in Search OF Thief

IhNuOctpNid ITtSSs
Curious experiences Why, bless you,
plenty of them" said Postal Inspector Charles
d. Barrett, in answer to a question by re-
porter, and the man who has grown gray in
the service of the government lay back in his
chair and laughed heartily. Gone in partic-
lar occurs to my mind" said the inspector.
"A few years ago registered letter contain
ing S75 was stolen from q postofiice among
the mountains in Lebanon county, and il
was my duty to find the thief When
left tho train at the point where the post
office was said to be located there
was no evidence of habitation in the
vast wilderness that met my eyes no mat
tor in what direction / turned them. l was
about arriving at tho conclusion that | was
the victim of n hoax so far as the location
of tho postofce was concerned, when dis
covered what appeared to be n pathway load
ing through some shrubbery. l resolved to
explore, and after short walk came across
u frame shanty, over the door of which was
the sign "Postofiice" Entering, l found an
old man, who learned was the postmaster,
and to him | disclosed the nature of my
business inquiring If no knew where so and
30, mentioning tho name of the man wanted
for the theft, livedp
"'Bout four miles across the hills" was tho
reply"
"Well, you might hitch up and drive me
over" suggested.
Cant be done; only have n mule, and q
catamount or some other critter, crawled
into the stable last night and chawed Off part
of one of his shoulders" was the reionder of
tho postmaster. Its only a short walk
cross the hills, and / guess we can foot it, "
he continued, as he slung a shot gun across
his back and pouch by his side. These war
like preparations somewhat alarmed me, and
| exclaimed:
"My gracious! Mr.. Postmaster, what are
you going to do"
"Might need them," said he, as he placed
his lips to tho mouth of suspicious looking
black jug and took several gulps of something,
inviting me to do the same. l declined, and
then we started. After trudgng along for a
considerable distance we came to n mountain,
in the ascent of which | was several times
forced to stop for breath. When near the top,
which was ovcrshadowed by heavy fog, my
companion informed me that he thought he
knew Of q shorter cut For goodness sake
take it," gasped. and then we followed a
winding and rugged course, picking our way
through brars and brushwood. Finally
it dawned upon me that my guide had
lost his way. and when l intimated as
much to him he exclaimed "Durned if |
don't believe / have" We wandered about
four hours and in an exhausted condition, we
eventually succeeded in reaching our point of
destination. The house of the man for whom
was looking was inhabited by woman
several half dressed children, pigs, chickens.
and other creatures of tho lower kingdom.
The man was at work in q charcoal kiln a
couple of miles away. We found him black
as could be, and on returning to the house his
wife took him to n spring, made him STRIP
and then soused him with several bucketluls
of water. After this he appeared more civil
lied and l brought him on to this city, where
he was tried and convicted"