The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-03-06
WHY HE DISAPPEARED.
Atlanta Constitution. l

When the war broke out Jim Dutton was the postmaster at Blue Rock. He had held the position for number of years, and no man in the settlement stood higher. Jim's strong point was his honesty. He had very little book-learn- ing, and was ignorant of the ways of the world. Still, with the assistance of his wife, charming little woman, he suc- post. 0 ffice in such manner as ts give general satisfaction.
 While the Confederate government was getting its affairs in order, the postal ma chinery organized under the United States authorities continued to run on. This was public necessity, as the postmas- ters could not ali be changed in an in stant, or be reccmmissioned. As clever Georgian. though not strong Conieder- ate, ] m Dutton held on under the new regime and did his duty But 1t was only for couple of weeks. Oae Monday morning the villagers found the post office closed, and investig ation disclosed the fact that Dutton and his wife had mysteriously disappeared. The money and accounts of the office turned out to be all right, and nobody could under stand why Jim and his wife should have slipped ofi at night without leaving a clue. It was ascertained that a day or two before their departure the postmas- ter mortgaged his cottage and furniture tor almost their full value as security for loan which he had obtained. s. the couple did not go away unprovided with money.
 No event ever in the history of Blue Rock created such intense excitement. It was a santalizing mystery, and it was impossible to unravel 1t. The rapid pro- gress of the war, however, soon absorbed public attention, and the Dutton episode ceased to be talked about.
 Some time ago. iu little town in west ern Texas, ! accidentally ran against J,m Dutton. There was no mistaking the man. Time had dealt gently with him and he looked prosperous. l slapped him on the back with hearty:
 Hello, Jun Dutton 1"
 Jim turned and fell all to pieces, so to speak. He recognized me and shook hands. After long and pleasant conver- sation, Jim said:
 Colonel, reckon you would like to know why my wife and 1 left B ue Rock ["
 Well, you may explain if you feel like it." replied.
 Later, in my room at the hotel before q blazing fire agd with a good cigar to stimulate him, Datton unbosomed himself to me
 Colonel" said he, !" i, makes me binsh now to think what a greenhorn, what a miserable ignorsmus was at the begin ming of the war"
 .Oh, no," suggested deprecaiingly.
 {" But was," continued ,m. "l ver- fly believe vas the biggest fool in Geor- gia, and yet thought was the smArtest man in the state You see, being post n aster had puffed me up so that felt as big as the governor himself. We'll after the Confe6eEacy organze ed went ahead under my old Federal commission, at- tending to the pos,al ousiness of the Con- federate states One sight my wife, who was a great reader, hlnted to me 'ha, may be had laid myself liable for high treason. At first laughed at the idea, and then rummaged through some old histories and found that in every civilized country where there was a rebellion and a government officer sided with the rebels he was held euilty of treason. Nov, it struck me that our secession was in fact a rebellion, snd if we were whipped, as. feared VIC would be, l would be in bad