Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-02-07
A MYSTERIOUS MARK.


tossed like plaything.
''Roll, and be hanged to it," grum-
bled /, eff only it wOuldn' t roll me- ,"
It was my first acquaintance with
Neptune, and we didn't get on well to-
gether. To say the truth, | was in no
amiable mood. | had disagreed with
the steward about the quality of the
steak he had sent me for breakfast,
and, finally, had disagreed with my
breakfast itself, and had parted COM
pany with it. 1t was while leaning
over the taffrail at this point, that my
feelings were narrowed by the poetical
passengers quotation.
you're sea-sick," he remarked.
4 see | am, replied grutfly, in
tending no pun, but slight criticism
on the self-obviousness of the state
ment.
''I've 4 sovereign specific for that
malady," said the stranger.
You're lucky man" groaned I.
Il would be happy to furnish you
with it." he replied. 81 have an
abundant supply of it"
Anything. I'll take anything
even arsenic enough to put me out of
my misery"
Come below" said he, taking my
arm.
'Where is your state room?'' he in
quired, when we had descended the
stairway.
led the way to it.
Now lie down." said he. land I'll
Tx YOU up directly"
| threw of my coat and tumbled into
10 ~
went out and returned quickly with
something which he put into glass
with some water and gave me to drink.
| swallowed it without question. The
effect was almost instantaneous. A
gentle languOr stole over me, and then
followed what little before [ should
have hailed rs the acme of bliss, COM
plete Inconsistencies. Whether it was
the effect of medicine, or because the
weather-much obliged to the weather,
ii that was it know not, but when I
awoke | found myself, if not recov-
cred, at least cOnvalescent Next daY
| gained my sea legs and felt no in
convenience. Mr. RoIlickson-by which
name | learned to know my Byronic
benefactor-and myself grew to be in
innate friends. The truth is, he had a
knack of making friends. He was an
inexhaustible talker. With men, he
was an agreeable companion; with
ladies he was captivating, fascinating.
We had an exquisite young creature. on
board, scarcely out of her teens, on her
way to join an elderly maiden aunt, in
an inland English town, said to have
testamentary designs upon her, which,
if carried out, would place her in the
front rank of matrimonial prizes. To
this young lady Mr.. Rollickson paid
especial court. He read, talked and
quoted poetry to her, till her pretty
little head was turned; and before the
voyage was over, their engagement be-
gan to be the talk of the ship. Stress
of weather made the passage slow
one. 1t was more than two weeks
after we lost SIGHT of the highlands of
Neversink before we landed at Liver
pool.
| had hardly set foot on shore, and
hadn't had time to congratulate my
self on the fact when band was laid
briskly on my shoulder.
You mus 60 with me-" said .
determined voice in my ear.
| turned about quickly and found
myself confronted by Il man who might
have sat for Dickens portrait of In
spector Bucket.
The fewer words here the BETTER,
ne added as | was about to speak
''Will you come quietly, or shall Isum-
mon assistance?"
l demanded an explanation.
You shall have it in due time, !" was
the answer. do you intend to come
peaceably or not?"
A short staff, surmounted by a crown,
produced by the speaker, convinced me
he had authority to enforce my ODE
dience, and walked along by his side.
Your name is Roach" said thin,
sharp man, into his whose presence [
was ushered.
1T is not" [ answered.
Probably you will also deny having
three stars tattooed on the back of
your left arm, just below the elbow?"
he added sardonically.
4 do deny it" said, Il bear no
such mark.
That is easily tested" was the re-
ply.
Turn up his sleeve, Jarvis"
The assistant obeyed.
L think we have the right man,"
said the latter.
Quite sure of it, replied the sharp
man, after glancing at the exposed
member.
twisted my arm so as to gain view
of the part in question, and was utterly
amazed to find the mark described by
the officer!
IL never saw it before stam-
mered confusedly.
"Such statements will do you but
little good" said the officer. First,
you deny your name and next the ex-
istence of mark, which it is impos-
sible you should have borne upon your
person without knowing it. 1t so nap
pens that this is the very mark to
which we are instructed to identify
Roach, the famous bank robber, for
whose arrival we have been for some
time watching. 1t further happens