On one occasion, after
depositing his letters, he observed a part of a letter, put in by some
other person, projecting above the opening in the bag. Seizing the
opportunity he extracted this letter without being seen, and took it
home. On examination he found it contained a draft for one thousand
dollars. Forging the name of the person on whom it was drawn, he
presented the draft at a bank and drew the money, and very soon
afterwards proceeded to a distant western city.
After a little while, the draft was missed and inquiries made. It was
found that this lad had been near the mailbag on the day when the
missing letter had been put in it, that he was unusually well provided
with money, and that he had suddenly disappeared. Officers of justice
were commissioned to find him. They soon traced him to his new
residence, charged him with his crime, which he at once confessed, and
brought him back to meet the consequences of a judicial investigation.
After a short imprisonment he was released on bail, but still held to
answer, and thus the case stands at present. He must of course be
convicted, but whether the penalty of the law will be inflicted in whole
or in part, it will be for the Executive to say.
Meanwhile the circumstances suggest some thoughts which may be worth the
reader's attention. This lad was a member of a Sunday school, but
irregular in his attendance, and this latter fact may in some degree
explain his wandering from the right path.
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