Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1873-12-26
selcttel s9listellanly,
UNDER FALSE COIORs.

"My pocket books gonew exclaimed
an excited passenger, who had stepped
up to the bar to liquor, and suddenly
found himself without the means to Ii
quidate.
"Mine, too p chorussed dozen more
of us, simultaneously clapping hands on
our personal sub-treasurics and finding
them vacant.
There was commoton on board the
good steamer Swiftsure, one of the best
then navigating the Mississippi A rue
full set were we on whom thus unexpect-
edly dawned the fact of our present in
solvency.
My own case was peculiarly hard -
The money had lost was my all / had
just drawn it from the bank to pay for a
home | had bargained for, and to which
| was expecting soon to conduct my long
intended bride. Poor Kate--I could
hardly in justice ask her to wait longer.
ut is evident we have pickpockets on
board observed grave looking gentle
man, who had already found time TO talk
himself into sort of leader of public
opinion among us.
1t was pretty evident.
"They may have all gone ashore with
the booty" suggested another, we have
made several stoppagcs.
"True," replied the grave gentleman,
'still, it is proper that general search
be instituted. 1t will at least serve to
clear Of suspicion those present."
Every right" was the general voice.
"And as mover of the proposal" the
gentleman continued, II first offer for
scrutiny my own person and effects.
For forms sake the offer was accepted.
Of course no discoveries were made in
that quarter. Beyond decent supply
of clothing, few religious books, and a
moderate sum of money, nothing was
found on the gentleman's person or among
his effects.
"At least they have left me my little
pittance," he remarked, returning it to
his pocket. II presume they hardly
thought it worth the risk to venture on
robbing clergyman"
Had we known the genteman's calling
sooner we were inexcusable not to have
insisted on his exemption from the test
he had just undergone.
One after the other was put through
the ordeal with equally fruitless results.
till it came to the turn Of slipshoddy
little man, who had hung back to the
last, and whom nobody seemed to have
noticed till now
"Step forward, sir, and submit like
the rest" said the clergyman.
The little man obeyed. AS he APP
preached, singular change came over
the minister's countenancc. 1t grew a
tri1c pale. But the feeling, whatever it
was, was evanescent.
DO your duty, gentlemen" he said
in his usual tone Of authority.
Those appointed to conduct the search
proceeded with it, This time the results
were not SO barren Every one of the
missing wallets were found in the little
mans possession 1t was easy to see he
was an old offender 1t was hard to tell
whether the clergyman looked more sur
prised or panied.
"What shall be done with him p was
the general query.
"It's pity the laws are SO laxly adj
ministered hereabouts," remarked the
minister.
"Tbat's true" said another. "It's no
use turning him over to the law; he
would be out of its clutch in week"
Lets deal with him ourselves, say"
spoke burly planter from the bayous.
"My function forbids that should ac-
lively counsel violence" said the clerical
gentleman, with just touch Of SWIVEL in
his tone.
Never you mind, Dominic" inter-
rupted the planter; ''we'll take the re-
sponsibility."
"It IS greatly to be regretted" the
minister went on, "tbat such necessities
should ever exist" This time the SWIVEL
was more percep.ible.
Sound doctrine, old boss p again put
in the planter. ''Just leave the practice
to u.s."
A rope was procured, at one end Of
which moose was improyised, the other
being made fast to one Of the staunchi-