The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-05-23

thread OF my story, to dwell upon the
pleasant memories l still retain of
Reginald Moore.
We were within weeks sail of Mel
bourne Mr.. Moore had all but com
pleted a model of the "Janet's Pride"
which he purposed presenting to me
the night before we landed.
Now, he worked at the model prin-
cipally on deck, and, strangely enough
he had CHOSEN for worl-table the top
Of one of TIE empty watcr-caslis that
stood on deck abaft, and under the
shelter of the bulvarks.
While he worked through the day,
you were sure TO see him surrounded
by some of the passengers or sailors.
The amount Of industry he displayed
was truly wonderful, for he was invari-
ably at work in the early morning,
long before any of the other passengers
thought of turning out of their snug
berths.
AS l have already stated, we were
but six days sail from Melbourne. For
the first time in our experience of him
the pleasant passenger appeared at the
| dinner table with solemn, downcast
| expression Of face and silent tongue.
Before dinner was over I asked him
what troubled his mind and caused
this unhappy change in his wonted
cheerful manner.
At first no tried to evade my queries
! by replying that it was nothing; but l
pressed him persistently until 1 won
from him an explanation.
perhaps, after all, it is only fair
that should explain little" he an
swered, "The fact of the matter, my
friends, is that my watch has been
stolen"
| "Stolen!" we all exclaimed.
"Undoubtedly. But pray you, cap
tain" he said, turning to me, 81 pray
you not to say one word about it. The
only thing that renders the loss of
consequence to me is the fact that it
once belonged to my poor mother. On
that account alone / would not have
lost it for any amount of money. How
ever, it cannot be helped, and therefore
it is useless to cry over split milk, as
the old adage has it.
MY only request in the matter, my
dear captain, is that you will leave the
thing entirely in my hands, and think
it very probable that may recover it.
| This request am sure you will oblige
me by granting"
"Why, certainly, my dear sir" 1 re-
| piled; but still"
Exactly" he interrupted, with one
of his pleasant smiles. "You would
like to take the matter in hand and in
vestigate it to the utmost of your
power; l know that my dear captain,
full well. But can trust you to keep
your promise and leave the case en-
tirely in my own hands, can 1 not?"
How could l refuse him?
You may readily imagine what con-
sternation this event gave rise to
among the other passengers. The
three old gentlemen INSTANTLY pro-
ceeded to explain that they possessed
jewelry to the value of at least three
hundred pounds which they usually
| kept locked up in a brown leather
writing case; but, unfortunately, at
the present time the lock was out of
order.
Mr.. Moore suggested safer deposit
for their valuables.
The young married couples an
nounced the fact of their owning at
least two hundred and fifty pounds
worth of jewelry, and they, too, con-
suited Mr.. Moore as to the safest plan
for secreting it.
| The llindhearted brother and sister
had, it appeared, more valuables in the
way of jewelry than anyone on board,
since fifteen hundred pounds had never
purchased what they possessed.
The whole of the evening was occu-
pied in speculating 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
astonshment that they found them,
selves in the morning in full possession
of their worldly goods. This improved
condition of affairs seemed to reassure
our passengers, who once again began
to look cheerful and at ease.
Reginald Moore's pleasant face wor e
its wonted smile, and, as heretofore,
he charmed and enlivened us with his
vivacity and anecdotes. All the day
| long 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 on the pre-
vious one. Alas! what a scene of anger
and distress came with the morning!
Every passenger on board, possessing
jewelry, had been robbed during the
night.
The three old gentlemen, the young
married couples and the kindhearted
brother and sister found themselves
minus of every article of jewelry that
they possessed. Even the grumbling
old gentleman had lost his gold snuff.
box.
There was no keeping matters quiet
this time. The thief must be traced
and bought to justice. What was the
wisest method of procedure? What
would Mr.. Moore suggest?
II would suggest, though most re,
luctantly, that every sailor and every
sailors luggage be carefully searched, u
he said.
To this proposition we unanimously
agreed.
This" he continued, "must be most
humiliating to the feelings of youl
crew, captain; therefore, in com
mon fairness to them as our fellow
men, let me suggest that every passen-
ger and every passengers luggage be
also thoroughly searched"
little hesitation on the part of one