The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-08-31
Lost I'm tho Mountains.
THE UNPLEASANT EXPERIENCE OF A POSTAL
INSPECTOR IN SEARCH OF A THIEF.
philadelphia Press.J

INSPECTOR IN SEARCH OF THIEF.
philadelphia Press.I
"Curious experiences :" Why. bless
you, plenty OF them" SAID Postal-Inspec-
tor Charles b. Barrett in answer to a ques-
ton by reporter, and the man who has
grown gray in the service OF the Govern
ment lay back in his chair and laughed
heartily. zone in particular occurs to my
mind" said the Inspector. "a few years
ago a registered letter containing S7j was
stolen from a post-ofilce among the noun
tains in Lebanon county, and 1t was my
duty to find the thief. When left
the 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 matter in
what direction l turned them. was about
arriving at the conclusion that l was the
victim OF a hoax so far as the location OF
the post-oflice was concerned, when | dis
covered what appeared to be pathway
leading through some shrubbery. | re-
solved to explore, and after a short walk
came across frame shanty, over the door
OF which was the sign 'Post-ofhce.' En-
tering, | found an old man, who | learned
was the postmaster, and to him disclosed
the nature Of my business, inquiring II he
knew where so and so-mentioning the
name OF the man wanted for theft-lived."
"Bout four miles across the hills" was
the reply.
"Well, you might hitch up and drive
me over" | suggested.
Cant be done: only have a mule, and
a catamount or some other critter crawled
into the stable last night and chawed off
part OF one Of his shoulders" was the re-
joinder OF the postmaster. "lts only
short walk 'cross the hills, and guess we
can foot It," he continued, as he slung
shotgun across his back and pouch by
his side. These war-like preparations
somewhat alarmed me, and exclaimed:
"My gracious Mr.. Postmaster, what
arc you going to do!"
"Migbt need them" said he, as he placed
his lips to the mouth OF a suspicous-look-
ing black jug and took several gulps OF
something, inviting me TO do the same. |
| declined, and then we started. After
trudging along for considerable distance
we came to mountain, in the ascent OF
which L was several times forced to stop
for breath. When near the top, which was
| overshadowed by heavy fog, my COM
panion informed me that he thought he
knew OF shorter cut. 'For goodness
sake take it, gasped; and then we fol-
lowed winding and rugged course, pick
ing our way through briars and brushwood.
Finally it dawned upon me that my guide
had lost his way, and when intmated as
much to him he exclaimed: Burned il
L 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 oflthe lower kingdom. The man
was at work In a charcoal kiln couple OF
miles away. We found him black as he
could be. and on returning to the house
his wife took him to spring, made him
strip, and then soused him with several
bucketfuls Of water. After this he ap-
peared more civilized and / brought him
on to this city, where he was tired and con-
victed."