The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-07-16
5fliscellallrn1ts.
WHY HE DISAPPEARED
A Romance of the War.

A Romance of the War.
Atlanta (Ga.,) Constitution.
When the war broke out Jim Dutton was
the postmaster at Blue Rock. He held the
position for a number of years, and no man
in the settlement stood higher. nJm's strong
point 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, charming little woman, he succeeded
in managing the business of the postoffice in
such a manner as to give general satisfaction
While the new Confederate Government
was getting its affairs in order the old
machinery organized under the United States
authorities continued to run on. This was
not public necessity, as the postmasters
could not all be changed in an instant, or be
reconnaissance AS clever Georgian,
though not strong Confederate, Jim Dut-
ton held on under the new regime and did
his duty. But it was only for couple of
weeks. One morning the villagers found the
postoffice closed, and investigation disclosed
the fact that Dutton and his wife had mys-
teriously disappeared. The money and ac-
counts of the office turned out to be ali right,
and nobody could understand why Jim and
his wife should have slipped off at night with
out leaving a clue. 1t was ascertained that
day or two before their departure the post
master mortgaged his cottage and furniture
for almost their full value as security for
loan which he had obtained. SO the couple
did not go away unprovided with money.
No event ever in the history of Blue Rock
created such intense excitement. 1t was
tantalizing mystery, and it was impossible to
unravel it. The rapid progress of the war;
however, soon absorbed public attention, and
the Dutton episode ceased to be talked about
Some time ago, in little town in Western
Texas, accidentally ran against jim Dut-
ton. There was no mistaking the man.
Time had dealt gently with him, and he look
ed prosperous. | slapped him on the back
hearty Hello, Jim DuttonI
Jim turned and fell all to pieces, SO to
speak. He recognized me and shook hands
After long and pleasant conversation, Jim
said
"Colonel, l reckon you would like to know
why my wife and left Blue Rock"
well, you may explain, fyou feel like il"
replied.
Later, in my room at the hotel before
blazing fire, and with good cigar to stimu-
late him, Dutton unbosomed himself TO me-
Colonel" said he, "it makes me blush now
to think what greenhorn, what miserable
ignoramus l was at the beginning of the
war"
But l was" continued Jim. II verify
believe was the biggest fool in Georgia, and
yet thought was the smartest man in the
State. You see, being postmaster had pulled
me up 80 that | felt us big as the Governor
himself Well, after the Confederacy organ
lied went ahead under my old Federal COM
mission, attending to the postal business of the
Confederate States. One night my wife, who
was great reader limited to me that maybe
III had laid myself liable for high treason. AT
first laughed at the idea, and then rum
mayed through some old histories and found
that in every civilized country where there
was rebellion and government officer sided
with the rebels he was held guilty oftreason.
Now, it struck me that our secession was in
fact rebellion, and five were whipped, as
feared we would be, would be in bad box
told my wife about it, and she reminded
me had copy of Blackstone, and advised
me 10 read up on the punishment of treason"
Dutton paused a moment, and then said:
"You see | was so badly scared that was
afraid to consult anybody, and besides there
was no lawyer at Blue Rock. had heard
heap about Blackstone, and supposed every
thing in it was the law of the land. SO that
night got the book and my wife and look
ed through it. give you my word that what
we read made our hair stand on end. Why,
SIT, we ledEHeu HUH that poOh tHdt was
liable to be convicted of treason, drawn to
the place of execution on hurdle, hanged,
divided into four quarters, besides FORGETTING
my property and having my blood corrupted
My wife burst into fit of tears and threw
her arms around my neck. l blubbered
little, too.
"'Just 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"
ut is bad, said, and then see my blood
is to be corrupted"
"How can that hurt your" asked my wife,
after you are dead?'
"'Dunno,' l said, but | don't like the
idea
"Well, the long and short of it was, we
decided to skip. l made my arrangements
about the property, as you know, and we slid
out one Saturday night We never stopped
till we got away out here. 1t was on the
frontier then, and bless your soul, the war
never bothered us. We never saw soldier"
But" said /, didn't you find out very
soon that your fears were without founda-
tion2"
mo, sir {; it was years before felt safe