The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-02-26

I was about to open my cabin door
and invite him in to join me in my rest
lessness, when the peculiar nature of his
proceedings liveted my attention. He
looked around on all sides, rs if afraid of
attracting observation.
Then, suddenly, as if assured the coast
was clear, he made rapidly toward the
empty water cask, on which he was &C
customed to manufacture his model Of
the Janer's Pride Once more glancing
cautiously about him, he then applied
his hands to the top of the cask, and with
a rapid movement lifted half of the top
bodily off.
My establishment and my excitement
were intense, Another hasty glance
round, and he plunged his hand down in
to the cask, then quickly withdrew it,
holding in his grasp small bag, which
he rapidly concealed in the breast of his
coat. ..-. ....t.s-
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 apparent, as a
couple of sailors passed him on their way
to relieve the man at the wheel. rs j.
When all was again quiet, for an in
slant he seemed determined to at once
return to the cask, and no doubt with
draw something that the interruption
had prevented him withdrawing in the
first instance. But suddenly changing
his mind, he went down the stairs that
led from the deck to the saloon and sleep
ing cabins.
Scarcely had he disappeared, when an
other figure, stealthily crossing the deck.
met my anxious observation. It was the
boatswain.
saw him glance toward the stairs,
down which Mr.. Reginald Moore had
taken his departure. He then made d.
rect for the water.cask. 1t was now obvi.
Gus to me that the old boatswain had
been watching the pleasant passenger.
Just as he reached the water.cask, 8
heavy green sea struck the ship to wind
ward, necessitating the boatswain to hold
on by rope 50 as to keep his footing,
and precisely at the same moment Regi-
nald Moore appeared at the top of the
cabin stairs. I shall never forget the
scene.
The instant the ship had steadied her.
self, the boatswain commenced his exam
ination of the water-Cask. For a mo-
ment only, Moore stood looking at him
with as evil an expression on his face as
l ever beheld.
With one bound he was upon the boat
swain, before he could turn to protect
himself. I waited no longer, but flung
open the door Of my cabin in an instant,
and In another was to the rescue. and in
few moments we had our pleasant pas
senger in irons So, you see, he was the
thief, after all, hiding his knavery under
the pleasantest exterior / ever knew q
man possess. The manner in which he
had manufactured the top of that water
cask was the most finished and ingenius
piece OF carpentry I ever beheld.
In the interior of the side of the cask
he had driven several nails, about two
feet from the top, on which he had sus-
pended, in wash-leather bags, the jewel
ry he had stolen.
You may easily imagine the surprise
evinced by our passengers on discovering
that the thief was the man for whom
each and every one OF them entertained
SD ttrega1d and even affection.
| 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 over tc
the police; but as no one cared to remain
in that town for the purpose of prosecut
ing him, he was summarlly dealt with
The magistrate sentenced him to siz
months imprisonment with hard labor.