Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-12-24

JOHN MERRILL'S SECRET.
BY WILLIAM MORLEY.


his name on the papers, John Merrill. He
was nearly my own age, I judged and there
was an air of quiet refinement about him,
strikingly in contrast with the rude, boisterous
character of the majority of our associates.
John was, from the first, retired and uncom-
municative, though less so in his intercourse
with me than with any one else. He never re-
ferred to his antecedents, though had given
him my whole autobiography before we had
been fortnight at sea.
One of Johns eccentricities-I know not
what else to call twas that he always kept
his sea-chest locked. This is unusual in
whaler's forecastle, and always subjects the
man doing it to unpleasant remarks, as
implying a want of confidence in his ship
mates. It is common to say of the man who
does it, that che is either a thief himself, or
else thinks the rest of US are thieves" But
John Merrill only blushed, without making
any ordinary reply, when such cutting insin-
uations were thrown out, as they occasionally
were, in his hearing. They had no effect
whatever in producing any change in his
habits.
As concerned his duty, he did not ap-
pear to be the stuff of which crack sailors are
made. But he won upon the good opinion
of the officers even of gruf Mr.. Baldwin, our
chief mate, tarry old Triton, whom current
report declared to be webfOoted
81 can't understand that boy" he would
saw 1--WE must ease him in, till he has eaten
a few barrels of salt pork to harden his SIN
ews."
I could not tell why, but I don't think
I was ever envious of my comrade because
c.u..,l L;n> fb;s NOV uhilp hn
drove me up to my utmost capacity. Both
of US were respectful and willing, and tried
hard to do our duty, and, as he expressed 1t,
"make men Of ourselves" l think l telt
rather elated to know that Mr.. Baldwin dis
covered that there was tougher material
in me than in John Merrill, and worked US
accordingly.
But John Merrill made sure, thoug slow,
progress in his duties, and his snews har-
dened up, as Mr.. Baldwin had prophesied.
Though delicate in frame, his health seemed
perfect, and in some respects we had no bet
ter man among US. He was always ready
to take an extra watch on the lookout, for be
seemed to like being alone where he could
commune with his own thoughts. And he
was soon acknowledged to be the best helms
man on board.
We made our first port at Talcahuano, in
Chilli, after doubling Cape Horn and here
John and I being in the same watch, were
much together on shore But he would never
stay after dark, and appeared utterly insen-
sibe to the destinations Of the Chilian bru-
nettes He would drink no liquor; and his
example, in this respect, had good effect
upon myself.
We sailed for cruise on the coast of Peru,
after short stay in port. Among the men,
shipped to fill vacancies was one known as
california Tom"-a fellow of unbounded as
surance and impudeuce, to whom John and
both took an instructive aversion at first &C.
quaintance. But he found some congenial
spirits on board the Amphion, as such fellows
will in any ship where they may cast their
fortunes.
We had not been long at sea before it ap-
peared that we had some one in our circle
who disdained the nice little distinctions of
''mine' and "thine" Several articles had
been myteriously missed by different parties,
and complaints were loud and clamorous.
A ships forecastle is as unfit place for
thiefas he can we'll find his wayint AS much
uneasiness is caused by his presence, as by
the knowledge that powder magazine is To-
Gated somewhere under the deck, without
knowing exactly where. Woe to him if he is
caught; for though Jacks standard ofmorality
is, in many respects, no higher than it ought
to be, he has no mercy for pilfering ship
mate
We became We y unhappy family after this
discovery for, ofcourse, all mutual confidence
was lost until it should appear who the Of
fender was. No one was exempt from suspi.
cion though the weight was equally divided
between 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 any thing
about it, Tom did not scruple to head his
own party.
"It's easy enough to see who the thief is"
heard him say one night, as he occupied
the centre of little knot of his cronies. "Its
that slick faced little hypocrite that is at the
wheel now"
"Of course 'tis," said Derby, one of Toms
supporters 1--WE always thought so from
the first of it. It's enough to condemn any
fellow to know that he keeps his chest always
locked"
"What business has one man to be allowed
to lock his chest anyhow" demanded Tom,
loud enough now for all to hear. II say,
let's go and kick the lid open and see what's
in it."
"Sit down." said Frank Wightman, "a
fine, handsome young fellow, from our side
of the house for Tom had risen as if to carry
his suggestion into effect. "Don't undertake
any thing of the kind. John Merrill isn't
here to speak for himself, and no man shall
break his chest open while I'm by to prevent
it,"
"Don't you want to find out who the thief
is?" asked Derby.
"Of course do; and don't think should
have to 60 far for 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 would be willing to open his in such
case. But say it shant be kicked open
in his absence"
"Its plain enough that he's the guilty one"
said Tom, "wben his chest is the only one
locked, and"
II don't know about that" rctorted Frank
Wightman, with significant lnnk. "A thief
may find other places for his l.:under besides
his chest. Indeed, if he's an old hand at it,
he would be likely to-"
This home thrust put an end to the discus
sion for the moment, for Tom as we'll as
Derby and the rest of his gang, were afraid of
Wightman, who alone was match for any
two of them. But when John Merrill was
relieved from the wheel, we told him what
had occurred, and how suspicion was thicken-
ing on him. Frank asked him if he were vii.
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