Here was a strong statement, exhibiting a greater difference in the business and correspondence of the three villages than even the papers on the official files of the Department had claimed. I was therefore disposed to call for the proof, if it could be had, before proceeding further.
"Is there any way of getting at what you have just stated as a fact?" I inquired.
They were not to be caught napping, for the "Committee on Statistics" was on the spot, to meet any such exigencies that might arise.
A slight nod of the gentleman's head toward the corner of the room was promptly responded to by one of the company, whom I had observed listening more intently, if possible, than the rest, to the opening address.
He might be described as a gentleman about forty years of age, with sharp features, and withal as active and keen-looking a body as you will often come across. With a smile, and an air of self-reliance, he drew from his hat a bundle of papers of different shapes, from an inch wide to a full sheet of large size "cap," and, coming to the table, placed them upon it. A moment's search, during which not a word was spoken, produced the desired voucher, which was to confirm the truth of the three-fourths assertion. It proved to be a certificate signed by the assistant of the late post master, setting forth that, in his opinion, only about one-quarter of all the letters arriving at that office, during the last three months of its existence, went outside of a circle of one mile.
The ex-assistant himself, being present, was appealed to, but although he was willing, in general terms, to re-affirm what he had put upon paper, yet he failed to furnish any very satisfactory data upon which the calculation had been made. It was so much at variance with the allegations contained in the petitions for the new sites, that the impression could not be resisted that there had been truth-stretching somewhere.
"Should the office be re-established here," said I to the ex-assistant, "can the Department rely on the benefit of your experience in its future management, as post master?"
My object of course was to fathom, if possible, the depth of any personal interest he might have had in making the certificate referred to.
"Well, sir, as to that," he answered, his face a little flushed. "I hardly think I could attend to it; and besides, I may go to the West in the Spring, if not before."