Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1879-01-31

/ ufeamt OF turning out OF their snug
| berths.
As 1 have already stated, we we're but
six days sail from Melbourne. For the
first time in our experience If him, the
pleasant passenger appeared at the
dinner-table with a solemn, downcast
expression of face and q silent tongue.
Before dinner was over, / asked him
what troubled his mind and caused this
unhappy change in his wonled cheerful
manner.
At first, he tried to evade my queries
by replying that it was " nothing,
nothing in Particular" but I pressed
him persistently until wop from him
an explanation.
"Perhaps, after all, " he said, oit 10
only fair that I should explain matters.
The fact of the matter is, ny watch has
been stolen"
"Stolen r' we all exclaimed in a
breath.
Undoubtedly" he answered; "but
pray you, captain "-hers he turned to
me-"I pray you say not one word
about it. The only thirg that renders
the loss of consequence to me is the fact
that it once belonged to my poor
mother. On that account alone, | would
not have lost it for any amount of
money. However, it cannot be helped,
and therefore it is useless to cry ever
split milk, as the old adage has it. My
only request in the matter is, my dear
captain, that you will leave the matter
entirely in my hands, and l think it
very probable that I may recover it.
This request I am sure you will oblige
me by granting"
Certainly, my dear sir" replied !;
"but 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 I can trust you to keep your prom
Use, and leave the case entirely in my
hands"
How could 1 deny him his request.
You will readily imagine what con-
sternation this event gave rise to among
the other passengers. The three old
gentlemen instantly proceeded to ex-
plain that they possessed iewelry to the
value of at least three hundred pounds,
which they usually kept locked up in a
brown leather writing case; but unfor-
tunately, at the present time, the lock
was out of order.
Mr.. Reginald Moore suggesteda safer
deposit for their valuables.
The young married couples an
nounced the fact of their owning at least
two hundred and fifty pounds worth of
iewelry; and they, too, consulted Mr.
Moore as to the safest plan for secret
ing it.
The kind. hearted brother and sister
had, it appeared, more valuables IN the
way Of iewelry than any one on board,
since fifteen hundred pounds had never
purchased what they possessed.
The whole of that evening was occu
pied in specializing as to the probable
perpetrator of the theft, and in condol =
ing with Mr.. Reginald Moore on his
great loss.
Every one turned in, that night, in
an uneasy state of mind; and it was with
astonishment that they found themselves
in the morning still in possession of all
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, as heretofore, be
enlivened and charmed us with his
vivacity and anecdote. All day through,
he worked at the model of the "Janet's
Pride" still using the top of the empty
water. cask for workable.
That night we retired to rest with
minds far more at ease than on the pre-.
vious one. Alas what a scene 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 couples, and the kind-hearteC
brother and sister, found themselves
minus every article of jewelry that they
had possessed. Even the grumbline
old gentleman had lost his gold snuff
box.
There was no keeping matters quie
this time. Toe thief must be tracet
and brought to justice. What was th'
wisest method of procedure? Wha
would Mr.. Moore suggest?
81 would suggest, though most re
luctantly," said Mr.. Moore, "that ever.
sailor and every sailors luggage be care
fully searched"
To this proposition we unanimousl
agreed.
"This," he continued, "must b.
most humiliating to the feelings of you
crew, captain, and therefore, in com
mon fairness to them as our fellow
, men, let me also suggest that ever
, passenger and every passengers lug
t gage be also thoroughly searched"
A little hesitation on the part of on
q or two of the passengers was demon
s strated before acceding to this last pro
posal, but our pleasant passenger 500
contrived to bring those who at first de
9 INJURED to his side of thinking.
o "Of course" he said, "there is nc
q passenger on board who is not aboy
e suspicion, yet, in justice to the feeling
!, of the crew, it is, in my humble opinion
the least we can dc"
IS This delicacy of feeling and tn
8 thoughtfulness on the part Of Reginal
Moore, rendered him, if possible, mol
j. admirable and praiseworthy in our eye
q than ever.
I Many of the crew objected strongl
q to this mode of procedure, but all wei
d compelled to submit. The old boa
1t swain was furious with Indignation, an
d vowed that if it cost him his life |
would trace the thief who had cause
|. him to be searched like common pic
1T pocket. Even the pleasant passeng'
2, failed to soothe his sense Of injury.
le "Well, thorough seaich was mao
by myself. in company with the kim