Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1879-07-24
lock was out of order.

Inc young married couples an
nounced lne fact OF their owning at
least f250 worth OF iewelry and
they, too, consulted Mr.. Moore as TO
the safest plan Tor secreting it.
The kind hearted brother and Sis
ter had, it appeared, more valuables
in the way of .jewelry than anyone on
board, since FL 500 had never pur-
chased what they possessed.
The whole of that evening was &C.
cupied in specializing as to the prob
able perpetrator of the theft, and in
condoling with Reginald Moore on
bis great loss.
Every one turned in that night in
an uneasy state of mind, and it was
with establishment that they found
themselves in the morning still in
full possession of all their worldly
goods. This improved condition of
affairs seemed to reassure our pas
sengers, who at once began to look
cheerful aud at ease.
Reginald Moore's pleasant face
wore its wonted smile, and, as here
tofore, he enlivened and charmed us
with his vivacity and anecdote. All
day through he worked on the model
of the Janet's Pride, still using the
top of the empty water-cask for a
workable.
That night we retired to rest with
minds far more at ease than the pre-.
vious one. Alas what a sense of
| anger and distress came with the
morning Every passenger on board
possessing iewelry had been robbed
during the night
The three old gentlemen, the
young married couple and the kiud-
hearted brother and sister, found
themselves minus every artical OF
jewelry that they had possessed.
Even the grumbIing old gentlemen
had lost his geld snuffbox.
There was no keeping matters
quiet this time. rhe thief must be
traced and brought to justice. What
was the wisest method of procedure?
What would Mr. Moore suggest?
Il would suggest, though, most re-.
luctantly that every sailor and every
sailor'sl luggage be carefully searched
70 this proposition we unanimous
ly agreed.
This, he continued, must be most
humiliaIing to the feelings of your
crew, captain, and therefore, in com
mon fairness TO them as our fellow
mon, let me suggest that every pass.
enger's luggage be also thoroughly
searched
4 A little hesitation on the part of
one or two of the passengers was
demonstrated bsfore acceding to this
proposal but one pleasant passenger
soon contrived u bring those who
at first demu.red TO his side of
thinking.
"Of course" he said, "there is not
a passenger on board that is not
above suspicion, yet in justice to the
feelings of the crew, it is in my hum
BILE opinion the least that we can
do"
This delicacy of feeling and this
thoughtfulness on the part OF Regin-
aid Moore, rendered him if possible,
more admirable and praiseworthy in
our eyes than ever
Many of the crew objected strong
ly to this mode of procedure but all
were compelled to submit The old
boatswain was furious with indigna-
ton, and vowed that if it cost him
his life he would trace the thief who
had caused him to be searched like
common pick pocket. Even the
pleasant passenger failed to soothe
his sense of injury.
Well, thorough examination was
made by myself in company with the
kind-hearted old gentleman his Sis
ter. Every ones traps were ransack-
ed from top to bottom without sue
cess.
Further search vas useless. What
was to be done?
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, il being what we call
at sea "the captains watch"
turned in about o'clock A. NJ,
the second officer then coming on
duty. My cabin was amidships and
on deck, and from the window there
IN could command a view Of the at.
ter deck of the ship.
Somehow or other | could not rest
one atom; so, dressing myself de-
termlned on sitting up and smoking.
drew aside the bind of the window
have mentioned and looked out.
1t was just the gray light of early
morning and there was a stiffish
breeze blowing. TO my surprise | be.
held Reginald Moore, on deck.
1 was about to open my cabin
door and invite him to join me IN my
restlessness when the peculiar nature
of his proceedings riveted my atten.
ton. lie looked around on all sides,
as if afraid of attracting observation.
Then, suddenly, as il assured the
coast was clear, he made rapidly to-
ward the empty water cask, on
which he was accustomed to manu-,
faciure his model of Janet's Pride.
Once more glancing cautiously about
him, he then applied his hands to the
top of the cask and with rapid
movement lifted half the top bodily
off.
Ny establishment and my excite
ment was intense. Another hasty
glance round and he plunged his
hand down into the cask, then quick.
ly withdrew it. holding in his grasp
small bag which he rapidly con.
cealed in the breast OF his coat.
Ag:in he took hasty survey, and
was about to make another dive into
this strange receptacle for hidden
goods when he suddenly withdrew,
having with Astonishing rapidity re.
placed the top of the cask. In an
other moment the cause of his alarm
was made apparent as couple of
sailors passed him on their way to
relieve the man at the wheel.
When all was again quiet for an
instant he seemed determined to re-
turn to the cask and no doubt with
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