The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1876-02-03
UNDER FALSE OOLOHS.

an excited passenger, who had stepped
| up to the bar to liquor, and suddenly
found himself without the means to Ii
| quidate.
"Mine too % chorused dozen more
| of US, simultaneously clapring our hands
on our personal sub treasures, and find
| ing them vacant.
There was connection 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 present insolv-
ency.
My own case was peculiarly hard. The
money had lost WAS my all. I had
just drawn it from the bank to pay for a
home had bargained for, and to which
I was expecting soon to conduct my
long-iptended bride. Poor Kate-I
could hardly, in justice, ask her to wait
longer.
cit is evident we have pick pockets on
board" observed grave-looking gen.
tleman, who had already found time to
talk himself into sort of leader of opin-
ion among us.
1t aUas pretty evident.
"They might have gone ashore with
the booty" suggested another, 1--WE
have already made several stoppages. "
''True,' replied the grave gentleman;
''still, it is proper that a general search
be instituted. It 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, ST first offer for
secutiny my own person and effects.
For forms sake the offer was accept
3D. OF course no discoveries were made
in that quarter. Beyond decent sup
ply of clothing, few religious books,
and Il moderate sum of money, nothing
was found on the gentleman's person or
among his effects.
cat least they have left me my little
pittance," he remarked, returning it to
his pocket. 81 presume they hardly
thought it worth the risk to venture on
robbing clergyman.
Had we known the gentleman's call
ing sooner-we were excusable not to
| have surmised tive should certainly
have insisted on his exemption from the
test he had undergone.
One after another 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 countenance. It grew a
trife 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 results
weae 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. He didn't even
flush at his detection. It was hard to
tell whether the clergyman looked more
surprised or panied.
sWhat shall be done with him?" WAS
the general query.
cts pity the laws are 80 laxly adj
ministered hereabouts," remarked the
minister.
"That's true" said another. "It's nc
use turning him over to the law he
would be out of its clutch in a week."
"Let's deal with him ourselves, I say
spoke up burly planter from the bay
Gus.
"My function forbids that should
actively console violence" said the cler
ical gentleman, with just touch Of sni
vel in his tone.
ssNever you mind, Dominic" inter
rupted the planter, ''ace'U take the spon
sibility."
'It is greatly to be regretted" thu
minister went on, 'sthat such necessitie
should ever exist, but, it must be con
fessed, they sometimes do exist" Thi
time the SWIVEL was more perceptible.
"Sound doctrin, old hos 20 again pu
in the planter. ''Jest leave the 1oractiet
to u.s."
A rope was procured, at one end O
which moose was improvised, the othe
being made fast to one of the stanchion
and the culprit was given ten minutes Il
prepare.
''Have you no remonstrance to make
against this ?" asked the little man O.
the minister.
"Ask your own conscience" replied
the latter, ''what remonstrance ca
make"
"There is but one crime deserving o.
DEATH said the little man, with calm
distinctness, ''and that is willful muir
der
| Again the minister's face paled.
''Time's up" admonished the planter
"Now you jest mount the guard there
and when you're showed over the side
whether you're hanged or drowned L
depend on the stren'th O. the rope"
''Csn I offer you any spiritual consola
ton, my sinful friend 90 said the minis
ter, with SWIVEL which was now very
distinct.