Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-04-30


have lost it for any amount of money.
However it cannot behelped, and there
fore it is useless to cry over split milk,
as the old adage has it. My only re-
quest in the matter is, ny dear cap
tain, that you will leave the matter en-
tirely in my hands, and l think it very
probable that may recover it. This
request [ am sure you will oblige me by
granting"
Certainly, my dear, SIR l 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 [ can trust you to keep your
promise, and leave the case in my
hands,"
How could we deny him the request?
You will readily imagine what con-
sternation this event gave among the
other passengers. The three old gen.
tlemen instantly proceeded to explain
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 unfortunately,
at the present time, the lock was out Of
order.
Mr.. Reginald Moore suggested safer
deposit for their valuables.
The young married couple announc-
ed the fact of their owning at least two
hundred and fifty pounds worth of jew
elry; and they, too, consulted Mr..
Moore as to the safest plan for secret
ing it. ..-E
The kind-hearted brother and sister
had, it appeared, more valuables In the
way of jewelry 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. eescaH
Everyone turned in that night in an
uneasy state of mind, and it was with
establishment that they found them
selves, IN the morning, still in posses
sion 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. - 81 e@ 81, tz-..+
Reginald Moore's pleasant face wore
its Wonted smile, and, as heretofore, he
enlivened and charmed us with his vi
he worked on the model of the Janet's
Pride, still using the top of the empty
water cask for work table.
That night we retired to rest with
minds far more at ease than the pre-
vious one. Alas! what scene of an
ger and distress came with the morn
ing! Every passenger on board possess
ing ieWelry had been robbed during the
night. -r... ....4
The three old gentlemen, the young
married couple, and the kind hearted
brother and sister, found themselves
minus every article of jewelry that
they had possessed. Even the grum-
bling old gentleman had lost his gold
snuff box!
There was no keeping matters quiet
this time. The thief must be traced
and brought to justice. What was the
wisest method of procedure?z What
would Mr.. Moore suggest? EFss
Il would suggest, though most reluc-
tantly'' said Mr.. Moore, chat every
sailor and every sailors luggage be
carefully searched" r $50 -. ...
To this proposition we unanimously
agreed. r. -......-." t.a
This" he continued, "must be most
humiliating to the feelings of your crew:
captain, and therefore, in common fair
ness to them as our fellow-men, let me
also suggest that every passengers lug
gage be also thoroughly searched"
A little hesitation on the part of one
or two of the passengers was demon
strated before acceding to this last pro-
posal, but our pleasant passenger soon
contrived to bring those who at first de-
INJURED to his side of thinking.
"Of course" he said, ''there is not a
passenger on board who is not above
suspicion, yet, in justice to the feelings
of the crew, it is, in my humble opin-
ion: the least we can do"
This delicacy of feeling and this
thoughtfulness on the part of Reginald
Moore, rendered HIM, if possible, more
admirable and praiseworthy in our eyes
than ever. ~ sos 'ss&' .rs
Many of the crew objected strongly
to this mode Of procedure, but all were
compelled to- submit. The old boat
swain was furious with Indignation, and
vowed that if it cost him his life he
would trace the thief who had caused
him to be searched like a common
pickpocket. Even the pleasant passen-
ger failed to soothe his sense of injury.
Well, thorough search was made by
myself, in company with the kind old
gentleman and his sister. Every ones
straps" were ransacked from top to bot
tom without success. salgs
Further search was useless. What
was to be done? --Faaz
That night, all having been made
snug, and the passengers having turned
in, none of them, as you may imagine,
in very brilliant spirits, | went on deck,
il being what we call at sea "the can
tain's watch" 49,
I turned in about A. NJ, the second
officer then coming on duty, My cab
in was amidships and on deck, and