The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-10-22
THE LOST BRACELET.
BY N. ROBERTS.

IuluBS, Shlu JOnu jules, I'LL Olu naQ
who had spent his life Oh the secret
police; ''but our life is not altogether
free from romance; and as / have
nothing to do at present, will relate
u circumstance that occurred to me
professionally;
Immediately after the war It was
no small job to reopen the postofices
in the different Southern states, and
in spite Of the regulations Of the post
Office department, and the vigilance
OF the detective force, the amount Of
mail matter lost was truly astonishing
hot only letters money and jewelry
were mis-sent or stolen, but whole
bags Of mail were carried offat time,
and in many instances so slyly that
the thief was never detected.
cat that time was In the secret
service Of the postofice department,
and was stationed in the South. Twas
kept more or less busy, but had moth
ing of Importance to see after. Most
of my work consisted in finding mail
bags that had been mis-sent on account
of the ignorance OF Garelessness of the
mail agent.
II had grown somewhat tired of the
monOtOny, when one dizzy | received o
letter from the department at Wash
ington to report Of one Of the largest
Southern cities.
Next day 1 was OF the postoffice
there, long before the regular time Of
opening; and, while waiting, I noticed
young man about twenty-five, with
sandy monstache, walking up and
down the street, and looking anxiously
ut the closed door Of the postoffice.
watched him some time as he passed
me In his hasty walk to and fro. At
last no stopped In front Of me, and
asked in an angry voice;
"'AFe you connected with the post
Officer
II answered in the affirmative, apd
was about to explain / was not the
postmaster, when he interrupted me-
will you open this concern today
or not Is what l want to know
h II knew by bis voice he was from
the Eastern states, and having travelled
y considerably through the Eastern and
Middle states, ! asked him:
From New England, STRIP
'He looked at me 0 moment; his
eyes flashed, his cheeks turned red
with anger. In fact, / never saw O
man 30 angry from 50 slight 0 cause.
"It makes no difference where ]
am from, he at last said, ! want to
know when this swindling concern
will open, at the same time nodding
his head in the direction of the office.
II forget my reply, but 1t was not
calculated to continue so unpleasant
conversation, and ! could bot help
smiling when he, scarcely able con-
tain bis rage, walked of.
when the office was open, re-
ported to the postmaster, and, after
we had retired to his private Office,
he said, as lie pointed to the man
whom / had met in the street:
"'Mr. Jones, Mr.. Levy here has
lost diamond bracelet. It was
mailed in Virginia and directed to
New Orleans, but 1t has never reached
its Dissipation. l have done all can
do in this matter and now turn the
case over to you with all tie fo"tO !"
The knowledge received was of no
practical use, Several mail agents had
bec:l suspected between the point Of
mailing and New Orleans.
"Will you please describe the Brace
let? l asked Mr.. Levy.
Yes, SIR he answered, as he
showed me the mate of the one which
was lost 1t was like this, he snid
with the word "Mary" engraved on
The inside.
HaH ever seen. 1t was o. perfect
gem; and, as 1 held it in nv hand 7
'0@ taI not refrain from asking:
Why did you send such va,noh,o
piece OF jowelry by mail?'
10 ~ was the mistake of friend
ne answered I directed it to be- sa1+
ny express, but he, thinking it sofor
oy registered letter, sent il. and ' vo11
already know the result ""
He then broke out in fit Of rooo
a and h9aped abuse upon every one con- con,
acted ctt with the department.. ~
= ana not blame him as much thon
Is aid when first met him in +In
street. DiiH III Vhe
After learning all I could Of tho
case, and promising to telegrGnh 't 10
Mr. Levy il I fonnd the braea ga y :
started on the trail 1t seemed aInost
hopeless. traced II as far So TtI,o 81
Charlotte North Carolina, but the We
al traces ceased. The distance bo
tween Charlotte and New Orleans Noe voc
very great, and any of the maigagents s
tno postmosters along the line eonlJ
nave taken it. 1t was my first io oI"[ ~ ,
Importance in the South. and wo ~,
determined to find it if it nossi TIs
could be found. P'''1oiy
so, - examined KAN the receipts of the