The Irish standard., 1886-06-26
WHY HE DISAPPEARED.

WHY HE D{S1APPEAR
When the war broke out Jim Dutton
was the postmaster at Blue Rock. He
had held the position for number ol
years, and no man in the settlement stood
higher Jim's strong poist was his
| honesty. He had very little book learning,
| and was ignorant Of the ways OF the world
Still, with the assistance of his wife, d
charming little woman, he succeeded in
managing the business of the post0ftice III
such & manner as to give general salts
faction.
While the new Confederate Govern.
ment was getting its affairs in order, the
old postal machinery, organized under the
United States authorities continued to run
on. This was Il public necessity, as the
postmasters could not all be changed in
an instant, or be recom1nissioned AS a
clever Georgian, though not a strong Con.
federate, Jim Dutton held on under The new
regime and did his duty. But it was only
for couple OF weeks. One Monday morn
ing the villagers found the postotfice
closed. and investigation disclosed the
fact that Dutton and his wife had myster-
iously disappeared. The money and &C
counts of the office turned out to be all
right, and nobody could understand why
jim and his wife should have slipped off
at night without leaving clue. 1t was
ascertained that a day or two before their
departure the postmaster mortgaged his
cottage and furniture for almost their full
value as security for loan which he had
obtained. So the couple did not 60 away
unproyided with money.
No event ever in the history of Blue Rock
created such intense excitement. 1t was
a tantalZing mystery, and it was impossi-
bic to unravel it. The rapid progress Of
the war, however, soon absorbed public
attention, and the Dutton episode ceased
to he talked about.
Some time ago, in a little town In West
ern Texas, accidentally ran against Jim
Dutton. There was no mistaking the
man. Time had dealt gently with him.
and he looked prosperous slapped him,
on the back with hearty:
"Hello, Jim Dutton!"
jim turned, and fell ali to pieces SO to
speak. He recognized me and shook
hands. After long and pleasant con-
versation Jim said:
"Colonel. I reckon you wonld like to
know why my wife and I left Blue Rock?"
it," replied
Later in my room at the hotel before
blazing fire, and with good cigar to
stimulate him, Dutton unbosomed him
self to me.
"Colonel" said he, -.tit makes me blush
now to think what greenhorn, what
miserable ignoramus, I was at the
beginning of the War."
stOb M r al fiur7v
sBut was,'' continued jim. II verify
lieve was the biggest fool in Georgia, and
vet thought was the smartest man in
the State. You see being postmaster had
puffed ms mp SO that felt as big as the
governor himself. Well, after the Cou-
federacy organized [ went ahead under
my Old Federal commission, attending to
the postal business of the Confederate
States. One night my wife, who was
great reader, limited to me that maybe
had laid myself liable for high treason.
AT first I laughed at the idea, and then
rummaged through some old histories
and found that in every civilized conntry
where there was rebellion and u Govern
ment officer sided with the rebels he was
held guilty of treason. Now, it struck me
that our secession was in fact rebellion,
and if we were whipped, as / feared we
would be, I would be in a bad box. told
my wife about it, and she reminded me that
I had copy of Blackstone, and advised
me to read up on the punishment OF
treason"
Dutton paused moment, and then
said:
"You see, was so badly scared that I
was afraid to consult anybody, and be-
eidoe +horo .xx,oa M a R1no R0cl-
I had heard heap about Blackstone and
supposed everything in it was the law of
the land. So that night got the book
down and my wife and L looked through
it. give you my word that what we
read made our hair stand on end. Why,
sir, We learned from that internal book
that was liable to be convicted of trea-
son, drawn to the place Of execution OH
hurdle, hanged, divided into four quarters,
besides forfeiting my prorerty and having
my blood corrupted My wife burst into
food of tears and threw her arms
around my neck. I blubbered little,
too.
"sJust to think said my wife, that
my Jimmie must be cut into four quarters
like beef, and be hanged, and all sorts of
horrid things
"tIt is burned bad,' said, and then
see my blood is to be corrupted
elbow can that hurt you,' asked my
wife, after you are dead p
Sex Dunno said, .but don't like the
idea
ssWell, the long and short of it was,
we decided to skip. made my arrange
ments about the property as you know,
and we slid out one Saturday night We
never stopped till we got way out here.
It was on the frontier then, and bless
your soul, the war never bothered us.
We never saw a soldier"
sBut,'' said I, "didn't you find out
very soon that your fears were without
foundation ?'
'.No, sir; it was years and years before
felt safe. In fact it was some time after
the war ended. had begun to accumu-
late property. My ranch was turning out
we'll, and T had leisure to read books and
newspapers. You bet 1 looked up that
treason business and found what an mon
umental fool had made Of myself"
leaned back in my chair and laughed
heartily.
sob, you may laugh said Dutton,
t'but my folly and ignorance were the
making of me.'
.tYou would have done well if you had
remained in Georgia. ! rep'ied.
Z - t @ +.