The Washington times., 1901-12-07
TAMPERING WITH THE MAIL.
Curiosity More Potent Factor Than
Robbery.

Legislative enactments have been
found no less necessary to defend the sa-
credness OF private correspondence from
the prying eye of curiosity than from the
plundering hand of dishonesty" said a
postofiice inspector.
There are many" continued the off,
cial. who would recoil from the thought
OF robbing a letter OF its pecuniary con-
tents, but feel no compunction at vio-
| lating its secrecy for the sake OF indulg-
Ing an idle or malicious inquisitiveness.
Sometimes a state of things exists in
a neighborhood which clearly shows that
some unauthorized person is acquainted
with the contents Of many of the letters
passing through the postOfflce before the
| rightful owners have received them. Sc
crets OF the utmost Importance are sud
denly biazed abroad, and these of less con-
sequence are used to InhIct much annoy
auce upon the persons whom they concern
Those in charge OF the postofiice be-
come the objects Of suspicion, and the in
habitants Of the infected district, if they
are unable to obtain positive proof of un-
lawful meddling with their correspond
ence, at least show by their endcavors to
prevent their letters from going through
the dangerous ch1nnej that they have
lost their confidence in the integrity Of
the postmaster or Of his assistants
Here is an instance" continued the
inspector. Farmer Plumpote's daughter
had settled the preliminaries OF treaty
OF most tender description with youn,,
gentleman Of neighboring city, though
without the knowledge and contrary to
the wishes Of the parental potentates on
both sides. Their happiness clearly de-
pended on preserving their secret inv!o-
late. Therefore in order TO avoid the Sc
r.sa.ae Loo L. HfWaar
risked, as being too hazardous, but q cor
respondence was carried on under ncti-
tious rames.
Much solicitude was felt by the inqui-
Fitive matron that presided over the Rub
Der Neck postoffice to know who Edythe
Bloater could be. So she cross ques-
toned the boy who inquired for letters
for the aforesaid Edythe, but he was de-
cidedly noneommittal.
AS a last resort she sent her maid
servant TO follow the unwary messenger
and see where he went She returned with
the exciting intelligence that Jane Plum
pote tthe farmers daughter; met him and
received from his hands the letter which
the boy had Just taken from the office.
The information but aggravated the
thirst for knowledge which burned in the
breast Of the postmistress, and she re-
solved to UnraYel the mystery that lurksd |
under the name OF 'Edythe Blorter.'
The town was shortly afterward star |
tied with the news OF the proposed |
match and as the postofice dame was |
not supposed to deaf in clairvoyance. the |
inference was natural that some css cred |
table but more certain method mad been |
adopted to bring TO light the important |
fact.
THE detection OF guilt in cases of this
kind Has formerly very difficult. and here
tefore the inspectors had rather under
lake the investigation OF a dozen cases of
mail robbery than to attempt to unearth
1re OF there moles, working underground |
ard gnawing at the roots OF their neigh
Dors reputation and happiness For
these 'rubbernecits' leave but little trace
'y winch they may be ferreted out, how
ever strong the grounds of suspicion may
be-"