South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1873-10-24

W J"u, "ulUoWs l. I'd sRtisueu OF your
truth, and if you still decline TO show your
things, you shan't be forced 60, at least by
anybody 10 this end Of the ship. But think
this matter over, and perhaps tomorrow
you Il feel different about il. I've IN idle
curiosity, myself, to want to know your Sc.
cre'; but / would like TO satisfy Others, wi o
haven't the same trust IN your integrity,
that have
That night, in the middle watch, | was
awakened by slight clicking noise, aud
saw California Tom, 10y the dim light of the
hanging lamp, steai,hIly opcnice Johns
chest with key. John him.e as all The
rest vt my watch, vas sleeping snundly /;
but knew that be never left HE key where
II could be found. II was always about his
person night and day. Tom must have
found duplicate key 10 f. the chest.
| was about 30 speak and give The alarm
to WIghtmau aud Others; but, on second
thought, determined to wait moment and
see the result. Tom bad bundle in one
hand, which appeared to be new flannel
shirt, and, as the lock few open at last, he
LIST no time in looking INFO the chest, push
ell in the bundle aud re-locked it and went
on deck.
| considered the matter and determined
to tell Frank Wightmau, which | did as
soon as our watch turned out.
Don't tell John, were his friends words Il
hope he won't open his chest and discover it !;
for want to see what kind of a plot is hatchiug'
John Merrill had the morning mast head, and
went up to his post at daylight, without having
had occasion 10 look into his chest. Tom was
up and stirring soon afterwards-an unusual
proceeding Cor him in a morning watch off duty
and headed Off Captain Soue as soon as he
made his appearance above the deck.
Presently the order was given to call all hands,
ond muster them up. One the mates was sent
into the forecastle to see that no one fingered,
and to have all the men s kits and effects reused
mp to the sight of day. The captain was evil
IDENTIFY in a towering rage, for he had passed
lightly over several previous reports of theft,
hoping the matter would be adjusted without his
interference. But Tom had lost new shirt du-
ring the night, and Captain Soule had lost-his
patience.
I'll End it if it's inside the ship said he
'and I'll fog the man that stole it,
Several bags and chests had been emptied of
their contents in the presence Of us all for John
had been called down from aloft, and stood
thoughtful and agitated, ut my side. When the
captain came TO the locked chest,
Whose is this 2 he demanded
Mine sir, said the lad.
'Gi me your key :!
If you II excuse me, sir-I would like 10 speak
a word with you-by ourselves sir, if you please.
Bat the coptan was not in the humor to listen
"a any rprnonstrarcn at tl,at r,or,eut
Let me go through with this cursed business
before talk TO any bodyl 1t doesn't look we'll
anyhow, that you keep your chest locked up =
he swung back his heavy boots as he spoke
aud with a single kick under the projecting edge
Of the LID, it lew open.
There's my Shirt exclaimed Tom, Selling
the bundle that lay on top. lie shook it open,
showed he marks ana it was at once recognized
beyond all dispute.
Enough said We're on ,he right track
now said Captain Soule Take up this chest
and carry i. aft q and he closed the LID with a
bang.
Mr. Baldwin he continued, strip John Mer-
riIls back aud seize him zap It's n new thing
for me to fog one OF NV men-a thing never
djJ-but I've sworn it in this case, and I'll keep
my word
The poor boy overwhelmed with confusion
could hardly ind a word % protest his inuo-
ccnce as the mate lei him aft But at this mo
mcnt Frank Wightmln ueared the captain re-
specially aud touched him gently on the sboul-
der a word was spoken the captain relaxed
his angry brow 90. listen to it, for Wighmau
was The hest man in the forecasilc The two
walked AFT loscther, conversng very earnestly
kept my eye on them tl Frank made a signal
which understood when followed
N,r Derrick soil the captain 70 the second
male, "keep everything as it stands, with the
chests forward bon allow % man 70 touch q
thing uil further orders
DE beck5ned Wightman and myself 10 come
below. BlJas he di not cauntermand the or.
ders he bad given about suzing John up, the
mate. DC seems proceeded % obey them He pre-
pared Gle srz.aes but when De ordered The boy
TO remove bis shirt Dee met with unexpected re-.
sistance While was relating 70 Captain soulc.
in TIE forward cabin what bad seen during
The middle watch. there was a scuGle over our
beads, and John Merrill ia a frenzy Of excite.
ment, rushed down The stairs AID into the after
cabin. Hold on, Nr. Baldwin Never mind
what told you for The PRESENT. And the cap
tain followed the boy into toe sanctum while We
awaited Che result In - minute anorwar ds he
Tot bis head out at the door with The straogest
look on his face that bad ever seen a mortal
man wear
'Wishtman you and BID pass John Merrill
chest down the stairs-rizht into this room
Weobeyed the order, and set our burden down
al bis feet. But the lad was not to be seen az
we looked about as
.TLalm tn Won NO. 60 on Hn.L 80. r-ti