Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1879-06-04

!" DHt still"
Exactly, he interrupted, with one
of his pleasant smiles, "you would like
to take the matter in hand, and investi.
gate it to the utmost of your power
know that, my dear captain, full we'll;
but ! can trust you to keep your prom.
ise, and leave the case en- tir ely In my
hands."
How could ! deny him his request?
You may readily imagine what con
sternation this event gave rise to among
the other passengers. The three old
gentleman instantly proceeded to explain
that they possessed jewelry to the value
of at least f30O, which they usually kept
locked up in q brown leather Writing
case; but, unfortunately, at the present
time, the lock was out of order.
MI. Reginald Moore suggested a safer
deposit for their valuables.
The young married couples announced
the fact of their owning at least ESQ
worth Of jewelry; and they, too, con.
suited MI. Moore as to the safest way for
secreting it.
The kind-hearted brother and sister
had, it appeared, more valuables in the
way of jewelry than any one on board,
since El,500 had never purchased what
they possessed.
The whole of that evening was occupied
In specializing a. to the probable perpe-
TRAITOR of the theft, and in condoling
with MI. Reginald Moore on his great
loss.
Every one turned in that night in an
rnnnn~ akokA ~e rrs-l 81 - III
a~stonishment that they found themselves
in the morning, still in full possession of
their worldly goods. This improved
condition of affairs seemed to reassure
our passengers, who once again began to
look cheerful and at ease.
Reginald Moore's pleasant face wore
its wonted smile, and, $ heretofore, he
enlivened and charmed us with his
vivacity and anecdotes. All day
through he worked on the model of the
Janet's Pride, still using the top of the
empty water cask for a work table.
That night We retired to rest with mind
far more at ease than on the previous
one. Alasl what a sense of anger and
distress came with the morningl Every
passenger on board possessing jewelry had
been robbed during the night.
The three old gentlemen, the young
married couples, and the kind.hearted
brother and sister, found themselves
minus of every article of iewelry tina,
they had possessed. Even the grumblinp
old gentleman had lost his gold snuff
box.
There was no keeping matters quie.
this time. The thief must be traced and
brought to justice. What was the wisest
method of procedure? What would Mr..
Moore suggesti
To this proposition we unanimously
agreed.
"This," he continued, must be most
humiliating to the feelings of your crew,
captain, and therefore, in common fair
ness to them a. our fellow-mep, let me
also suggest that every passenger and
every passengers luggage be also thor
oughly searched"
A little hesitation on the part of one
or two of the passengers was demon
strated before a~cceding to this last pro-
posal, but our pleasant passenger soon
contrived to bring those who at first
demurred to his side of thinking.
"Of course" he said, there is not a
passenger on board who is not above sus-
picion, yet, in justice to the feelings of
the crew, it is in my humble opinion,
the least We can do"
This delicacy of feeling and this
Moore rendered him, If possible, more
admirable and praiseworthy in our eyes
than ever.
Many of the crew objected strongly to
this mode of procedure, but all were
compelled to submit. The old boatswain
was furious with indignation, and vowed
that If it cost him his life be would trace
the thief who had caused him to be
searched like a common pickpocket,
Even the pleasant passenger failed to
soothe his sense of injury.
Well, q thorough search was made by
myself in company with the kind
hearted old gentleman and his sister.
Every ones Straps" were ransacked
from top to bottom without success.
Further search was useless. What
was to be done7
That night, all having been made snug,
and the passengers having turned in,
none of them, as you may imagine, in
very brilliant spirits, l went on deck, it
what We call at sea "the captains
watch"
/ turned in about 4 A. NJ, the second
officer then coming on duty. NV cabin
was amidships and on deck, and from a
window therein l could command a view
Of the after-deck of the ship.
Somehow or other, l could not rest one
atom; 30, dressing myself, l determined
upon sitting up and smoking. l drew
aside the blind of the window / have
and looked out.
1t was just the gray light of early
morning, and there was a stifish breeze
blowing. To my surprise, l beheld Mr.. |
Reginald Moore on deck.
l was about to open my cabin door
and invite Linn to Join me in my rest
~essness, when the peculiar nature of his
proceedings riveted my attention. He
ooked around on all sides, as i, afraid of
attracting observation.
Then, suddenly, as if assured the
,oast was clear, he made rapidly toward
he empty water cask, on which he was
to manufacture his model of
Ianet's Pride. Once more glancing
autiously about him, he then applied
lis hands to the top of the cask, and
nth q rapid movement, lifted half of
he top bodily of.
My astoniahment and my excitement
'ere intense. Another hasty glance
ound. and he plunged his hand down
nto the cask, then quickly Withdrew it,
gliding in his grasp a small bag, which
q rapidly concealed in the breast of his
oat.
Again he took a hasty survey, and 4,
1as about making another dive into this |
range receptacle for hidden goods,
hen he suddenly withdrew, having,
18th astonishing rapidity, replaced the i
d OF the cask. In another moment !,
he cause of his alarm was made appar. {
Mt, a. q couple of sailors passed him on
heir way to relieve the man at the
heel. =,
When all was again quiet, for an I
nat0nt ho 0oounoI loxor~oroJ * u .