Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1913-01-01
CHAPTER vli.-lcontinued.)

Maybe that's why Rouser has dis
appeared" suggested the constable.
He's been spending lot OF money
lately. Rouser has. Maybe he knew
the inspector was coming and was
short in his accounts"
."He couldn't have known It," pro-
tested. THE inspector himself didn't
know he was coming here until late
yesterday afternoon, and there isn't
( any way possible that the postmaster
could have been advised Of his com.
ing"
The arrival Of the substitute official
diverted the conversation. Miss Cox,
an unima ginative, unattractive wom-
an OF thirty, in most matter-of-fact
way entered the building and took
charge.
"The first thing" she said as she
calmly hung up her hat and coat, lis
for all you men to get out Of here so
that / can sort the mall"
Even the constable moved toward
the door, impelled by the authority in
her tone and his own respect for gov
eminent property. determined not
i TO be routed so easily. 1t seemed to
me that the occasion afforded me an
excellent opportunity, not to solve the
mystery OF the missing postmaster.
but to work out one of my own puz-
zles-who 1t was that had rented Lock
Box II.
Miss Cox,"I said. 'as personal
\ friend of Post Office Inspector Davis,
who IL to Join me here in a few hours
in connection with an important mat
ter, and for your own sake as well,
would suggest that you should keep at
least two Of us here as witnesses. This
is government property. The postmas-
ter has disappeared and some Of the
property may be miss
Ing. If your inspection Is made in the
presence OF two witnesses there can
be no question about your statement
OF the condition in which you found
things. really think it is neces-
sary precaution. would suggest that
two of US, say the constable and my
self. be permitted to remain as Wit
nesses."
"By ginger, he's right" said the
constable. whose attitude toward me
at once became one Of decided friend
Illness.
Maybe had" said J 'ss Cox. You
two may stay, but the rest get out"
With narrow sense Of duty she in.
sisted on sorting the mornings mail
before she made any investigation.
Meanwhile the constable and dis
cussed the case. From him I learned
that Rouser, the postmaster. was a
likable young fellow of twenty-five or
six, who had held the Office for two or
three years.
1.-THE way he come to be postmaster
was this: His father had represented
this district in Congress for twenty
years or so before he died. The old
man was an able citizen. but never
had accumulated much money, though
he gave the boy good education.
Charlie, however, wasn't much good.
He was bright and smart enough, but
he seemed to lack the git-up and git
TODD for himself After his father
died he lived on the little money left
him till 1t was all gone and then just
drifted around, getting meal where
he could and his clothes growing shah.
bier and shabbier. The women-folks
all liked him and was always trying to
find something for him to do. He'd
work II he had 1t, but he wasn't the
kind OF fellow to be teaming or gar
dening or trucking, and it was the
hardest sort Of Job to find something
that would suit him. The old postmas-
ter died and the politicians was about
4 equally divided as to who was entitled
to the place. They didn't seem able
!. to agree on no one. Then somebody
suggested Charlie Rouser, some of the
women-folks guess it was. and first
thing you rknow he had It.
1T don't pay much, only six hun
y dred a year, but Charlie don't drink
and don't gamble, SO he's been able to
get along on that well enough, and he
amt made bad postmaster. He's a
weak youngster and easily led, and II
he'd ever got into bad company can
see his finish. Lately I've noticed he
seemed to be spending a lot Of money,
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