Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1901-07-25

- UGBY started out into the driz-
X zling twilight. The outlook was
IL no less gloomy than his feel
ings.
If IL had been any man on the force
but old John Compton. | wouldn't take
the thing to heart. But to think Of old
John being arrested, prosecuted, i'm
prisoned. BY heavens, | feel as il il
were one of my own flesh and blood"
The young inspector dug the toe Of
his boot viciously into the thick rug
His elder companion and fellow work.
er tapped the table nervously.
THE evidence is overwhelming. and
yet we'll | suppose Wen have to call
him in
Rugby silently picked up his hat and
left the room. His chief leaned back in
the great revolving chair and review
ed the case.
John Compton was widower, resid-
ing with his unmarried daughter, and
had been mail carrier for over twenty
years. The managers of the Nelson
department store, which lay on Johns
route. claimed that their mail had
been systematically robbed of money
orders and cash sent loose in letters
Before lodging any complaint they had
conducted a small detective campaign
of their own. Twenty letters contain
ing money had been sent to as many
places to be forwarded to the concern.
Only fifteen came to light. 1t could not
be argued that the missing five had
ben lost in the mails. The Nelson peo-
pie pointed the finger of suspicion at
old John.
John had gained white hair and hon
or in the postal service. During the
first ten years of his work there was
not single mark against him. In the
second term there was just one-he
had been marked late" because of the
illness of his daughter.
Rugby was detailed on the case, and
prepared decoy letters enclosing mark
ed money. He took them to various
points within a few miles of the city,
and had them directed by strange
hands. He saw them arrive in the post
office-saw them placed In the old
mans pouch---saw him start out with
them. Then he followed the old car
rier with feeling almost self-condem-
natory.
After covering half of his route,
Compton stopped Tor ten minutes at
his own home. which was In fiat
house. He came out whistling and
went on his way. Rugby was seated
in a dim nook of the Nelson Office
when Compton reached the little win
dow and handed over the mail. In
stantly he counted the decoy letters.
Only six of them had been deliver
These were the facts that Inspector
Smith was reviewing as he sat In the
dull twilight When Rugby and Comp
ton entered Smiths office there was a
look of wonder in the old mans eyes,
but no trace of guilt OF anxiety. When
told of the charge he smiled almost
childishly. When ordered to empty
his pockets he complied without the
least hesitatancy, yet OF the twelve
dollars he laid on the table, no less
than ten were in the marked money.
when this was pointed out to him his
eontiding smile vanished. and he turn
ed pale as he said
why. | got this money only two
hours ago. | gave ten-dollar bill in
exchange.
Then of course YOU can name the
party and clear yourselfy asked
Smith. kindly
"Of course can. It--was-was---
There he stopped. A queer change
came over his face. His lips Quivered
like those of trusting child who had
Unexpectedly received n blow from the
hand it loved Suddenly he drew him
self up and looked from Smith to Rug
by,
DO either of YOU gentlemen believe
that have tured thief in my Old
age"
We don't want TO believe 1t. was
the reply. but letters have been stol-
en- and you have the money that was
enclosed In them