Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-05-01

10 take Inc matLer IN hand, and 1nVeStl-
gate 1t 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-
sternatlon this event gave among the
Otner 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 brown
leather writing-case: but unfortunately,
at the present time, the lock Was out of
order.
Mr.. Reginald Moore suggested a safer
deposit tor their valuabIes.
The young married couple ANNOUNCE
ed the tact 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.
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.
Everyone turned in that night in an
uneasy state of mind, and it was with
| establishment that they found them
loo hO
sion of all their worldly goods. This
i'm proved 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, he
enlivened and charmed us with his vi
vacity 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 work table.
That night we retired to rest with
minds far more at ease than the pre-
vlous one. Alas! what q scene of an
ger and distress came with the morn
ing! Every passenger on board possess
ing iewelry had been robbed during the
night.
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? What
would Mr.. Moore SUCCESS?
Il would suggest, though most reluc-
family" said Mr.. Moore, chat every
sailor and every sailors luggage be
carefully searched"
To this proposition we unanimously
agreed.
This" he continued, j" 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
contrlved 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.
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 1t 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
traps" were ransacked from top to bot
tom without success.
Further search was 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, | went Oh deck,
IL being what we call at sea ''the cap
tain's watch"
| turned in about A. NJ, the second
officer then coming on duty, My cab
in was amidships and on deck, and
from a window therein | could COM
mand view Of the after deck of the
ship.
Somehow or other l could not rest
one atom; so, dressing myself, [ deter
mined upon sitting up and smoking. l
drew aside the blind 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, beheld MIR.
Reginald Moore on deck.
| was about to open my cabin door
and invite him to JON me in my rest
lessness, when the peculiar nature ofhis
proceedings rivited my attention. He
looked around on all sides. as if afraid
of attracting observation.
Then, suddenly, as 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 rapid movement,
lifted half of the top bodily off.
My establishment and excitement
were intense. Another hasty glance
around, and he plunged his hand down
into the cask, then quickly Withdrew it.