The Ripley advertiser. [volume] (Ripley, Miss.) 1843-1897, 1881-06-25
XII.

~ ''''" S''t"uoy NAaON9 O"Pp0IN
QutmaN arose from the head OF the
table and began to address his pas
sengers as follows:
"My young friends, when | pure
chased the "Wbite Rose of Mem
phis" and placed her on tins line,
the height OF my ambition was to
make her The headquarters of
pleasdre-seekers. 1t was my aim to
make it to she interest of travellers
to patronize my boat, and to fur
nish excursion parties with facili-
lies for enjoyment. l had always
adhered to the idea that it was the
duty of a steamboat commander to
protect his passengers against rut.
fans and thieves, and ! mean TO do
so to the Utmost of my capacity.
1t is with emotions of the deepest
regret that I am compelled to in
form my friends that, by some
means unknown to me. shrewd
pickpOckets and rcE5srs have man.
aged to SGT aboard of my boat.
One of my passengers has been
robbed of a large sum of money,
amounting, | believe, to something
near ten thousand dollars; another
has lost a splendid gold watch; and
Others have been deprived ofjewels
and other valuable articles.
therefore request every passenger
to consent to be searched and 10
permit the state-rOOms to be thor.
oughly examined; and in order to
prevent any attempt TO conceal the
property, l now ask all the
passengers to fall into line. Let
the ladies form on myleft and the
gentlemen on my right"
The captain had scarcely con-
his request before the two
lines were formed, the ladies
promptly arranging themselves on
The left and the gentlemen on the
A few of the passengers
mad retired to their s~tate-rooms,
but as soon as the wishes Of the
captain were transmitted to them,
hey Immediately appeared and
look their places IN the line. Ma.
aud Navarro arranged them.
side by side at the head Of
he gentlemen's line.
"That woman is the thief" 'whis.
'errd one of the passengers, ad-
FesSing the man on his left.
That is exactly the conclusion
hat has possessed my mind" was
he reply.
Let no one leave this line with
ut permission until the search is
'nded; and | request Mrs. Demar
nd Miss Darlington to take their +;
.laces liz state-room number seven,
nd 1T the ladies' go there, one at
time, and submit to a thorough
:
The lady in the black domino s
sft her place in the line, and, with y:
slow, measured tread, moved l
ound andpaused in front orCab- l
ain Qhitman: This movement, be.
lg a plain violation of the explicit
OF the captain, prOduc. .
d no small amount of curiosity, {
nd led to i~nnumerable exCIama.
.ons OF surprise.
~ would most respectfully ask '
on, sir, to wait a moment" she c
lid in a voice which slightly trem. {
led, but had a sweet, melancholy \
'und. ''l'have something to- com. s
!unicate, which, | doubt not, will :
ave a tendency to change the pro. I
ramme which you have been pleas r
! to mentiog, | must ask you to @
It me see the gentleman who was y
unfortunate as 10 lose his n
atch.n :.
George Woodbury. "a young man !
no had been persOnatlng George d
j then promptly stepned out b
ON the line and confronted the O
.ack domino. y
.Are you the gentleman whose :,
atch was stolen!n
Mr.. Woodbury. merely answered
! a slight iRc.ination of the head \
opening his lips. She then
from her pocket a large dou.
ceased gold watch, to which was r
tached \ massive chain, Holding =
out toward.him, she said:
rs this your property, sir9s ?
"Yes." a
Then addressing the captain
Jain, she requested him to pro.
e The ganilsnanawhose money 1
ID bseae stolen. Henry OF Ma p
IRE stepped from Ills place and !
he black domino. "
II anI the nne who has been so v
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