I called the attention of the landlord to the impropriety of such a course under the circumstances, since in the event of the restoration of the office to that village, it might be said, "Oh, it's easy enough to see how that happened. They knew what they were about when they paid the Agents' hotel bill."
For such reasons I declined the courtesy, and insisted on paying the bill myself. The landlord finally yielded, remarking, "they won't like it when they find out that their directions were not followed."
Soon after, the stage arrived at the door of the hotel from a neighboring town, on its way to the rail road depôt, and this was to be my conveyance to that place. I took leave of such of the gentlemen as were standing about the piazza, and mounted to the seat upon the top of the stage, behind and above the driver's station. To this elevated position I was unexpectedly followed by the "Committee on Statistics," and another person whom I had not seen before. This move on the part of the former gentleman was probably made not only to secure my ear during the passage to the depôt, but to prevent the post master there from gaining any advantage over him in the time which would elapse between the arrival of the stage and the departure of the cars.
Being placed, like men in general, between the known and unknown,—the "Committee" on one side, and the stranger on the other, my attention, soon after we had started, was attracted to the former individual by sundry punches in the ribs, proceeding from his elbow, accompanied with ominous winks and glances towards my other companion, who was just then conversing with the driver.
"Look out what you say," whispered the vigilant Committee, "that fellow is a spy; he is one of the Depôt boys."
"All right," I replied, in all sincerity, for I was not sorry to find that my friend would be prevented by the presence of the "spy" from executing the design which he undoubtedly had, of catechizing me in reference to the report I should make to the Department.
Arriving at the station, I crossed over to the post-office, and there remained until the whistle of the locomotive was heard.
"Well, good bye, Mr. W——," said I to the post master, offering my hand.
"I think," said he, "that I will ride a little way with you, as far at least as the next station."