Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1879-04-30

~ WI bAi''''''t t'aiNSs L W ti~ VI WIN,
il being what we call at ses "the cap
tain'S watch.
| turned in about A. NJ, he second
officer then coming on duty NV cab
in was amidships and on deck, and
from window therein | could com
mand view Of the after deck of the
ship.
Somehow or other | could not rest
one atom so, dressing mysef. | deter
mined upon sitting up and smoking.
drew aside the blind of the window |
have mentioned, and looked out.
1t was just the gray light of early
morning, and there was stthsh breeze
blowing. To my surprise, beheld Mr..
Reginald Moore on deck.
l was about TO open my cabin door
and invite him to join me in my rest
lessness, when the peculiar nature ofhis
proceedings rivited my attention. He
looked around on all sides. rs If afraid
OF attracting observation.
Then, suddenly, rs If assured the
coast was clear, he made rapidly to.
ward the empty water-cask, on which
he WAS accustomed TO manufacture his
model of the "Janet's Pride" Once
more glancing cautiously about him,
he then applied his hands TO the top OF
the cask, and with arapid movement,
lifted half of the top bodily off.
My astonishment and excitement
were intense. Another hasty glance
around, and he plunged his hand down
into the cask, then quickly withdrew it,
holding in his grasp small bag, which
he rapidly concealed in the breast OF
his coat.
Again he took hasty survey, and
was about making another dive INTO this
strange receptacle for hidden goods,
when he suddenly withdrew, having,
with astonishing rapidity, replaced the
lid Of the cask. In another moment
the cause of his alarm was made APP
parent, rs couple of sailors passed
on their way to relieve the man at the
wheel.
When all was again quiet for an
instant he seemed determined to AT
once return to the cask, and no doubt
Withdraw something more that the in.
terruptlon had prevented him with.
drawing in the first instance. But sud
denly changing his mind, he went down
the stairs that led from the deck to the
saloon and sleeping cabins.
Scarcely had he disappeared, when
another figure, stealthlly crossing the
deck, met my anxious observation. Ii
was the Doatswain.
saw him glance towards the stairs
down which Mr.. Reginald Moore had
taken his departure. He then made
direct for the water cask. 1t was now
obvious to me that the old boatswain
had been watching the pleasant pas.
senger.
Just as he reached the water cask, a
heavy green sea struck the ship tC
windward, necessitating the boatswair
to hold on by the ropes so as TO keer
his footing, and precisely ut the same
moment Reginal Moore appeared a
the top of the cabin stairs. | shal
never forget the scene.
The instant the ship had steadied her
self, the boatswain commenced his ex-
animation of the water cask. For a
moment only Moore stood looking at
him, with rs an evil expression rs
ever beheld.
With one bound he was upon the
boatswain, before he could turn to pro
tect himself. | waited no longer, but
flung open the door of my cabin III AZ
instant, and in another 1 was to the
rescue, and in few moments we hac
our pleasant passenger in irons.
So, you see, he was the thief, after all
hiding his knavery under the pleasant
est exterior ! ever knew man TO pos
sess. The manner in which he haC
manufactured the top Of the water
cask was the most finished and ingeni
Gus piece of carpentry | have ever be
held.
In the interior of the side Of The
cask he had driven several nails abou
two feet from the top, on which he hac
suspended in wash-weather bags, the
Ijewelry he had stolen.
You may easily imagine TIE surprise
evinced 10y our passengers on discover
ing that the thief was the man for whom
each and every one of them entertain.
ed such regard and even affection!
At the expiration of three days from
the date Of the pleasant passengers de
lection we landed in Melbourne, where
duty compelled me to hand him ovel
to the police; but as no one cared Il
remain in that town for the purpose o
prosecuting him, he was summarily
dealt with. The presiding magistrate
sentenced him to six years imprison
ment with hard labor.
| In TsJv Hn.en,-:ro