Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-08-29
the posrMAsTsR's DAUGHTER.
She Robbed the Mail, but the rnspeotey
Kept Her Secret.

She Robbed the Mail, but the Inspcctey
Kept Her Secret.
An inspector had Il queer experience
some time ago In pretty little town
In Maryland AS the train neared
this village he walked into the mail
car and asked for the mail clerk,
showed his commission and put In a
letter addressed to James Lancaster,
o fictitious name The letter con-
tanned a $40 bill. The inspector
stood upon the platform of the mail
car when the train stopped and the
pouch was thrown off. A boy took
the pouch over his shoulder and
started up the village street. There
was a crowd of visitors inside the
office who swarmed toward the lit
us desk. The inspector waited 10
minutes until they had all gone to
get their mail. He entered the place.
A handsome girl, IL years old, dressed
in an old fashioned bodice and light
colored skirt, sat behind the wire
grating in n rocking chair, sewing.
is there a letter here for James
Lancaster2" he asked.
NO" she said after sorting some
letters in tho case marked "L."
II am sure the letter must have
come" said the inspector.
Its not here"
Are you the postmaster2"
No. l am the assistant. My ia
Their is the postmaster
WHO opened the pouch that came
in by the last train9"
ibid"
No one to help your"
mo, sir"
Maybe it's stuck in the pouch.
have heard of such things. Won't
you look2"
She took the pouch, turned it up
side down, shook it and looked in
side. No letter.
Wont you let me come In and
help you look for it2"
No. No ono is allowed in here"
The inspector drew out his com
mission May come in now2" he
! asked,
YES" blushing; Il beg your par
don"
IT mailed letter myself to James
Lancaster" the inspector said. 1t Is
fictitious name-Iancaster. The
letter was put in that pouch by the
mail clerk on the train, who took 6
memorandum of 1t and locked the
pouch in my presence. When that
pouch was put off at the station,
followed it and kept it in sight unit
it was taken into the postoffice
Now, you say you opened it alone
and that no one else touched it
Where Is my lettsrm
II never saw it, sir. If you doub
me, you can search me-"
The inspector began to pace tn,
floor in deep thought The girl, mor'
beautiful than ever in her excite
ment, sat down in the chair, crosset
her legs and began to rock herself tx
and fro.
Call your mother, and she car
search you in my presence.
MY mother Is dead"
Again the inspector paced the floor
AS he walked back and forth he no
ticed the swinging feet of the post
masters daughter. One of her stock
ings had fallen a little, and under i
was the shape of an envelope.
Your stocking has dropped" h,
said.
The girl turned scarlet and the1
white and stopped rocking. Sh,
caught her breath and almost faint
ed. Then she recovered, took the let
ter from it's hiding place, handed i
to the inspector and burst into floot
Of passionate tears. The girl had ad
mirers, as was natural. Her fathe
was miserly, not giving her the none,
even that was needed for bright bi
Of ribbon, let alone a new dress. Sh
had been tempted to take none,
from the mails for bits of finory. Tn,
inspector bitterly accused the OLE
man of being the one to blame.
II suppose you will arrest herr" b,
said.
will you make restitution of tn,
sum stolen9"
1t was handed over.
will you arrest herr"
IF did, what would be her future
No. Unless you or she tell, this will
never be known. - indianapolis
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