Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1873-10-01

under the deck, without knowing ex-
actly where. Woe to him if he is caught
for though Jacks standard of morality
is, in many respects, no higher than il
ought to be, he has no mercy for pill
fering shipmate. He has, it may be
said, one code of morals to regulate his
dealings with his own comrades, and
another more elastic for the great bar
barian world outside.
We became q very unhappy family
after this discovery. for, of course, mu-
tual confidence was lost, until it should
appear who the offender was. No one
was exempt from suspicion; though the
weight of it was equally divided be-
tween California Tom and my demure
friend John Merrill. Each had his
friends, who believed the other guilty,
but while the boy modestly refrained
from saying anything about it, Tom did
not scruple to head his own party.
''1t's easy enough to see who the
thief is" I heard him say one night, as
he occupied the knot of his cronies,
"It's that sleek-faced hypocrite that is
"Of course 'tis," said Derby. one of
the "congenials. "It's enough to con-
denim any fellow to know that he keeps
his donkey always locked up"
"What business has one man to be
allowed to lock his donkey, anyhow p
demanded Tom, loud enough for all to
hear. 81 say, let's go and kick the lid
omen and see what's in il. +"
"Sit right down." said Frank Wight
man, from our side of the house for
Tom had risen as if to carry his sugges-
ton into effect. Don't undertake any
thing of the kind. John Merrill isn't
here to speak for himself, and no man
shall break open his chest while I'm
by to prevent it.
"Don't you want to find out who the
thief is ?" asked Derby.
"Of course I do +; and don't think I
should have to 60 far to do that. If
there's to be general search of chests
and hunks, I'm ready to agree to it at
any time and perhaps the boy will be
willing to open his, in such case. But
l say it sha'nt be kicked open in his
absence"
"It's plain enough that he is the
guilty one," said Tom, "when his chest
Is the only one locked, and"
81 don't know about that" retorted
Frank, with significant look. "a thief
might find other places for his plunder
besides in his chest. Indeed, if he's
an old hand at it he would be likely to. F"
This home thrust put an end to the
discussion for the moment; for Tom,
as well as Derby and all the rest of his
gang, were afraid of Wightman, who
alone was a match for any of them. But
when John was relieved from the wheel
we told him what had occurred and how
suspicion was thickening upon him.
Frank asked him if he were willing to
open his chest, and let us all have look
at its contents.
"No," said he, quickly, 81 am not
willing"
''But why not, if you are innocent ?"
81 cannot say why not, but I can as
sure you that know nothing about the
stolen things. You must either take
my word for it, or if general search is
determined upon, open my chest by
force, for shall not consent to have it
done"
81 believe what you say, John," said
Frank, "and so does Bill, here, that you
are entirely innocent. But there are
many who don't, and there will be still
more, if you don't satisfy them. Per-
haps if you would let me, alone, over
haul it, or Bill, if that will suit you
better, eh?''
''No, / cannot show the contents of
it, even to Bill. If the matter is pressed
hard, shall appeal to the old man for
protection, though don't know as that
would do any good"
"None at all" said Wightman and I,
both at once.
"What would he do, do You think ?"
Exercise his authority, and demand
the key at once-or open it by force.
He has heard about the thefts, as you
know; and heard him tell Mr.. Bald
win that, if another case was reported,
he should make a general search, and
fog the thief, if he could be found"
The boy rested his face upon his
hands in thought, but made no answer.
"Never mind, John, said Wightman !;
"don't fret about it. No harm shall
come to yOu, anyhow. I'm satisfied of
your truth, and if you still decline to
show your things, you shan't be forced
TO, at least by anybody in this end of
the ship. But think this matter over,
and perhaps tomorrow you'll feel differ
ent about it. I've no idle curiosity,
myself, to want to know your secret !;
but would like to satisfy others, who
haven't the same trust in your integrity,
that 1 have"
That night, in the middle watch. I
was awakened by slight clicking noise,
and l saw California Tom, by the dim
light of the hanging lamp, stealthily
opening Johns chest with key. John
himself, as all the rest of my watch, was
sleeping soundly {; but I knew that he
never left his key where it could be
found. 1t was always about his person
night and day. Tom must have found
a duplicate key to fit the chest.
1 was about to speak and give the
alarm to Wightman and others but, on
second thought, determined to wait a
and see the result. Tom had
a bundle in one hand, which appeared
to be a new flannel shirt, and, as the
lock flew open at last, he lost no time
in looking into the chest, pushed in the
bundle and re-locked it and went on
deck.
1 considered the matter and deter
mined to tell Frank Wightman, which I
did as soon as our watch turned out.
"Don't tell john" were his friends
words 81 hope he won't open his chest
and discover it for I want to see what
kind of plot is Matching"
John Merrill had the morning mast
head, and went up to bis post at day
light, without having had occasion to
look into his chest. Tom was up and
soon afterwards-an unusual
for him in a morning watch
off duty-and headed off Captain Soule
as soon as he made his appearance
above the deck.
Presently the order was given to call
all hands, and muster them up. One
of the mates was sent into the forecastle
to see that no one fingered, and to have
all the mems kits and effects reused up
to the sight of day. The captain was
evidently in q towering rage, for he