The slanders that had been circulated to his disadvantage, were turned in his favor. Among other instances of dishonest dealing, in the opposition party, the great fraud touching Upton's Abolitionism, was now discovered and exposed. He was proved to be entirely innocent of any such "political heresy;" and it was further shown that the slip of editorial clipped from "The Temperance Goblet," had never appeared in the columns of that paper--that it had been prepared expressly, and privately printed for the dishonest purpose it had served! But the correction of the false and malicious statements came too late to benefit Upton in his official capacity. He had "gone out with the tide," and the returning waves were ineffectual to bring him in again. He was politically defunct, and a new post master "reigned in his stead." About the new post master. He was the favorite of no faction, and the appointment came to him as unexpectedly as to the public. This is the way of it. About the time, the "Town Committee," having first endorsed a paper in favor of Wheeler, sent privately to Washington to inform the Post Master General that the said endorsement was a mere formality, to be taken no notice of whatever; and to recommend a new candidate named Foster. The Department becoming not a little disgusted with the whole business, wrote to a "reliable" man in the vicinity, but not in the town, for advice on the subject. Flattered by the compliment, the "reliable" person drew up an elaborate paper on the subject, demonstrating that the party would be endangered by the appointment of either of the rival candidates, and representing that some such cool-headed and discreet individual as Mr. Walters, (a widower of forty,) against whom no prejudice had been raised, and who would no doubt prove acceptable to the entire community, should receive the commission. This "reliable" man was supposed of course to be quite disinterested. His suggestion was accordingly adopted, and Walters walked into the Post-Office, as Upton walked out. But little opposition would have been excited against the new incumbent, had the manner of his appointment remained a secret. But the "reliable" man thought it too good to keep. He desired that society should know what an important personage he had become. The dignity of his being consulted by the Department at Washington, would be but half enjoyed privately. He accordingly rode over to Harrowfork, shook hands with the "Select-men," talked about the post-office, and laughed inwardly, holding his sides and looking suspiciously wise, whenever the subject of the new appointment was broached. He knew a thing or two--_he_ could tell a secret if he chose--there was more than one way to settle a quarrel;--he knew the Department, the Department knew him. Ha! ha! ha! and ho! ho! ho! &c. Horrible doubts racked the brain of John Harmon. He took Aminadab Fogle aside.