Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1890-11-21
THE OFFICERS EXCITED.

The OFFICERS EAClTED.
up the Land league agitation. At that
time Arab Bey-afterward Arab Pasha-
was making things lively for the English
in Egypt, and MI. Hurlburt had some idea
of ordering me to the seat of war. AS the
result of this when l packed my valise I
placed in it my Colts navy with a box of
cartridges.
The steamship Scythia, of the Cunard
o'clock in the morning. A curious look
ing tug with oscillating engines and paddle
wheels was waiting for the mails, and the
three passengers besides myself who were
going ashore climbed down to her deck.
The morning. was cold and raw, and the
hours run to the town was about as I'M
comfortable in the stuffy little cabin as it
well could be. When we reached the land
ing stage the custom house officials exam
ined and passed the luggage of my COM
panions in misery-we were all cold, damp
and extremely hungry-before opening my
valise.
As nothing in the trunks was disturbed
l was somewhat surprised to find a pound
of tobacco which l had promptly conis-
Gated. This afterward got back on a pay
ment of two shillings. But it was when
the revolver and cartridges were found
that the officers became excited. They
were at once taken and hastily carried off
to an inner room, where they were locked
up. A conference was had to which a con-
%stabulary inspector with a bad temper was
summoned, and it was seriously debated
whether l should not be requested to &C.
cupy a chair in the police station until my
case could be presented to a resident magis-
trate. was asked whether | had any
more arms, n to make things certain
my clothes were searched. need scarcely
say to any newspaper man that, 80 far
from being offended at all this, the Incl
dent was to the last degree interesting.
Nothing would have pleased me more than
being locked up. However, after examin-
ing my credentials and taking possession
of my valise, | was allowed to go on my
own recognizance, upon a promise to visit
the resident magistrate as soon as possible.
It was II o'clock before l could see Mr.
DAILY, the resident magistrate in charge.
found him to be a very pleasant gentle
man, living in one of the prettiest houses
ever saw. l told Mr.. DAILY my story and
produced my credentials, as we'll as a mum,
Der of letters of introduction which Mr..
Hurlburt had given me. AS l talked l no.
ticed that he referred to a paper on his
desk from time to time, which was evi
IDENTIFY a police report of the arrival of a
dangerous American. Finally Mr.. Dial,
seemed to be convinced that it was safe tc
let me fy-with u string-and he gave me
the following permit, which ! have KEEP,
as a curious memento:
The bearer of this, Mr.. Alfred Balch, a CORE
s%pondent of The New York World, is hereby al
lowed to carry one revolver and - cartridge
from Queenstown to Dublin on his promise to re
port the same to the Dublin police SO soon as h
shall arrive in that city. Mr.. Balch declares hi
intention of proceeding to Dublin direct Should
he leave the train at any place en- route he prom
ises to report the said revolver and cartridges a
once to the nearest police official.
j. P. DAILY, Resident Magistrate.
Armed with this permit l visited thu
constabulary officer who had my valis'
and showed it to him. When | asked TO
the things he very kindly offered to sene
them up by one of his men to the train, t.
which proposition I naturally assented. I
was not until afterward that it occurred
me that this courtesy on his part secure
the custody of the "gun" until l got o.
the cars. The valise was duly deliveret