Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-11-08
,,.. . ,ort immortal and moustacle, &:

wore a dark imperial and moustache, a
brilliant upon his scarf, two or three dia-
mond rings upon his fingers. and carried
n delicate rattan cane with deal OF grace.
There was an assumed air OF dignity, and
a patronizing air about him, that disgust
ed me. the more as could detect III his
exnressiou of features, weak and shall
low mind. This person gave his ,fhdivid-
ed attention to the lady passengers. was
prodigal in compliments to them, and was
fast becoming favorte. He appeared
perfect stranger to me until about the sixth
iay out, when seeing him early one morn
ing before his toilet was made, his lace
became invested with an old familiarity.
| became suspicious at once that he was
playing false part, and began Watching
him more closely. On the first occasion
that offered engaged him IN converSa-
ton, and it required but little skill to BRING
out his assertion that he too was travelling
for pleasure.
noticed that he had a lively eye upon
II certain quiet and very handsome lady,
who was apparently without protector,
and whose costly silks and abundant jew
els indicated no lack OF funds. He was
free to tell me his name was Ross, and
was particular to hint on every occasion
how fortune had favored him with wealth.
The lady spoken of had attracted my
attention, and | confess to feeling
ut the time little tender partially
toward her. The reader therefore will
not he surprised that was obseryant of
Ross gallantries toward her. and that |
was somewhat ANNOYED when | saw that
she seemed TO regard him with favor.
Perhaps it was the stimulus of Il rival.
perhaps the woman's charms alone, that
aroused me to regard her; but at any
rate fell to gazing upon AID thinking OF
her, and that. too, after only two or ihree
short and rather cool interviews, wherein
utterly faiied to exchange a single ten
der look Meanwhile. Ross, to my utter
discontinue, was admitted by her to the
most confidential tetc-a-tetes.
1t was about this time that began to
scrutinize Ross more closely, with the
view of detecting his completely in the
crime was employed to discover. The
more | reflected the more became con-
vinced of the reasonableness OF my suspi-
eions. He was, in my opinion, II person
not likely to accumulate wealth, His hab
its We're too extravagant for that. and be-
sides. the vulgar inclination he had Of III
ludng to his abundant means denied the
probability of his inheriting money. If
such person really had much money. it
was quite likely to be unlawiully obtained.
1t appeared significant fact to me tina,
this man evaded all my hints to discover
his source of wealth. His business, what
ever it might have been. was never once
alluded to by him. and any method by
which could obtain clue was 10 be
sought for. Did he understand the art
of pnotographing If he did, one good
point was made. | had failed in every
attempt to find his occupation until the
following opportunity occurred, in avail
ing myself OF which claim some Sagaci-
ty.
Ross came limping to me one evening
bearing an expression of pain. | inquired
what the matter was, ut which he dropped
into q seat beside me. and in coarse
manner began cursing his c0rns. which
appeared to be the cause OF his lamenoss
While he was lamentin@ his misfortune
an idea had occurred to me. | had been
troubled with corns myself, and had era
dictated them with nitrate of silver, Il chemi.
cal much used in pholographiug. MIR
Ross, said /, .'you can be effec:uallv re
lieved by an article that you have proba
bly, used, and quite likely you have viii
YOU"
What is it p inquired he anxiouslv.
at is a chemical that stains the skin
and hair black said l.
Indeed said Ross with forced sur
prise, and apparently very uneasy.
at is an article quite indispe nsable in
the art of taking pictures by the solar
light said |, gazing directly into his eyes.
Yes" replied Ross, with inquiry.
Nitrate of silver. Did You ever use
it ?" | inquired.
No" said he, CURLY, and dropping his
eyes before my gaze, he arose and left me
Enthusiastically embarrassed and annoyed.
This interview nearly settled the ques-
lion in my mind in regard to his criminal
ity, and the prospect of bringing him to
Justice pleased me- | observed him closer
than ever. He appeared less lame the
morning after had suggested the rene
dy, and on the second day his lameness
had entirely disappeared. l ventured to
ask, after congratulatng him upon his I'M
provemens, whether he had obtained the
chemical aboard, and although he denied
~ i bdN but Ilttit touDl ut udN uNtIIcu
himself of my remedy. Fortunately, to
discover whether he had, was completely
within my power. Ii Ross had applied
the chemical to ~ corns, blackened n-
delible stain remained, which important
fact was determined to fluid out
SLOUGH and met frequently to compare
notes, and our interviews were generally
late at night. lie always came to me up-
on the quarter deck, and as ill luck would
have it. had been observed by Ross tres,
passing upon the quarter forbidden to the
occupants OF the Storage.
The extent Of my perplexty can be inn
agined when, while waiting auxi0usly to
have an interview with my partner for the
purpose of devising method to have a
peep at Ross toe Ross himself came to
me in confidential way, and whispered
that he was keeping close watch upon
that thieyish looking fellow describing
my partner that his scarf pin had been
stolen, and that he was suspicious it had
been taken by SLOUGH. | managed with
some risk and difficulty to whisper few
words to my partner soon after, request
ing him TO keep away from me until the
next day Meanwhile, set my wills to
work to get a look at Ross foot. We
.