Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1859-07-29

object that presented itself to view, was
the missing box. The papers were in it,
but not cent of the stolen money.
1t was plain to my mind that the real
thief had adopted cunning plan for
throwing suspicion off his own shoulders
upon my friend Tom. The glove must
have been stolen from him for the very
purpose to which it was applied, and the
box and papers put into his trunk with
the view of fastening the guilt upon
poor Tom. Unfortunately, not soul
on board, excepting myself, knew Tom
Bigbee, and it was already the opinion
of the majority that he had stolen the
money. We were rapidly approac hing
Memphis, and the captain politely noti-
fed us that he considered it his duty to
hand Bigbee over to the authorities of
that city. Whatever was to be done,
must be done quickly. Poor man.
crushed in spirit, and now listless, could
not assist me with single suggestion.
His sensitive nature would not survive
the disgrace of confinement in a common
! J"'i' nv any III pIcNCH IL.
Who could the real thief be-
My thoughts naturally reverted to the
incident Of the previous evening. when
Frank Cherrute picked up Toms glove
and appeared to replace it in his pocket
He must have retained it thea with the
design now developed. And this NOR
ming how eagerly this same fashy young
gentleman offered the suggestion that a
search should be made for its mate, un-
der the pretence that he wished to clear
my friend of suspicion. And the hypo-
critical interest that he took such pains
to exhibit. l was now certain that
Frank Cherrute must be the criminal
/ called the passengers together, as
serted my honest belief in the innocence
Of my friend Tom Bgbce. and requested
tina. each would permit his room to lie
examined. This privilege was readily
acceded to by all, Frank Cherrute being
the first to give his consent. His state
room | searched myself, and | assure the
reader that ransacked every nook and
corner of t--but the missing money was
not found. The fellow had laid his
plans we'll.
Meanwhile the steamer had nearcd the
lcvee at Memphis. AS her bow touched
the shore. two police officers jumped
aboard and demanded that a guard should
be stationed at the gangway to prevent
the egress of any one to the land. The
captain requested an explanation Of this
measure. when one of the policemen an
swcrei:
Excuse me, captain; we won't detain
yor long A telegraphic dispatch was
received at the Chiefs office this NOR
ming. informing us that one John Brown,
notorious rascal, had escaped from the
/ Missouri Peni,cntiary. ard had taken
passage for New Orleans on your boat
t We've come to nab him. Here's his de-
scription in full" And the officer
showed the dispatch.
"All right said the captain. "And
while you are about it. you will find
another bird aboard for your cage
"Ifow So"
"Wall, only a young gentleman who
has been appropriatiny ten thousand dol
lars that h appens to be the property of
another person.
"Wheugh! Here's go - exclaimed
one of the bird catchcrs. .Mabe now
/ it's the same chap wot wear arter. -
And the two officers entered the cabin.
Tom didn't answer the descriptions in
the dispatch. and so he at least avoided
the imputa.ion of being an escaped con-
Wet; but he was nevertheless duly ironed
and confined in state-room, whilst the
! officers proceeded to scrutinize the coun-
tenances and general appearance of the
other passengers.
Troubled. fcveriSh and perplexed. |
went ont on the guards near the ladies'
cabin to breathe little fresh air. Hap
pening to glance downward. saw dark
I figure with carpet bag in hand leap from
the lower a"ck to hatboat near the
stern end of our boat. In my state of
mind was ready to grasp at anything
that might possibly lead to an exp'ana.
ton of the mystery enveloping this affair
Of my friend, even though nv condu t
should excite nothing but ridiculc. 1t
struck me that the man with the carpet
sack adopted a curious and an unneces-
sarily dangerous mode Of effecting a
landing from the steamer; for. by wait
Ing ten minutes, he could get ashore az
the eangwny. then noticed that there
was no other witness of the mans pro-
ceedng than myself. 1t was sinsular.to
say the least of it. that he should 90
ashore in this sueaklng manner. just at
a time when the police were particularly
desirous that not soul should leave the
boat. Indeed it looked very suspicious.
| examined the man more closely. and as
he turned his head for moment towards
the boat. | recognized the features Of
our demure and studious fellow passen-
ger DR.. Hermon Blukerw;ssel, booked
for New Orleans.
For Nen Orleans i, Why, then, was
he citing off in this secret way at Mem
phis!
l darted into the cabin. The police
men were about taking Tom ashore, hav-
ing given up the search for John Drown
as "a bad job"
"Stop. stop" l yelled; "I'vc found
him -
Found who," asked one of the Off
GERS.
"The robber the thief the rogue! the