Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-12-01
A FORTUNE FOUND IN SOAP.


How q Brakeman Discovered Swede's
Hoarded Gold.
Mr.. Runey, in conversation with a
number of travellers, told the following
story, which he says actually occurred
in his presence while en- route on a Great
Northern freight train near Morris,
Mimi:
l boarded a freight train at Han
cock, (he began en- route to Brecken-
ridge. There were about forty hobos on
board the box cars. l arranged with
three brakemen to make the rounds and
see if they couldn't be made to put up
for their ride. / acted the part of the
conductor. while the trainmen followed
ont my instructions. We went from
one car to another until we had visited
all but one. Few failed to comply with
our request, bnt showed hostility, aud
would doubtless have taken the advan-
tage of our small number had | not pro-
vided myself with gun, which pro-
truded in full view from my coat pocket.
The last car we visited was partially
loaded with lime, and between the bar
rels we found two Swedes who handled
the American language in the most hu-
morous manner We informed them
they would necessarily have to pay for
their ride or get off at the next station,
to which the spokesman replied: ''Vwe
don't gat no muny Vwe bane com from
Mort Docota, und work purity hard and
gats no nuny.'
Where do you want to go?" asked
a brakeman.
1--WE want tn go to Mainopolis.'
You are headed in the wrong direc-
ton" returned the brakeman.
Val, wye go tn Breckenridge und wye
den go asst Vwe no name dare no ba
guide faller und let us rade."
The brakeman was not satisfied with
the Swedes' statements that they Were
moneyless, so they were searched.
While the searching was going on one
of the Swedes said again:
"Vwe don't gate nu muny. Spouse
wye ly bout laddle ting like date:'
The brakeman, being satisfied that
there was no money on their persons,
was about to withdraw from the Car
when he discovered a small bundle in
the corner of the car tied up with a
handkerchief. The bundle was ex-
amined. 4 pair of old socks and sew
eral rags were tightly wrapped around
piece of soap about three by six inches
in size. The brakeman said he guessed
he would take the soap anyway, as he
could use it himself Here the Swedes
made robust protest, saying, "No,
wye don't want you tn take dote sope."
what good is the soap to your asked
the brakeman.
1--WE want da sope for wash wild bafur
wye gate in Mainopolis."
What do you expect to do in Mime
apolisr" said the brakeman.
1--WE tank wye vile gate leddle work
tn du dare, as ba prutty guide toun."
The brakeman then said he would do
the fair thing and only take half the
soap, to which the Swedes begged ear
nestly for him to leave the soap. The
brakeman toek the cake over his knee
and broke it through the center. and 10!
to the amazement of all, twenty dol
lar gold piece rolled out. By this time
the Swedes were nearly wild, and their
CALCULATIONS were side splitting in the
extreme.
The soap was then cut into bits and
5000 in gold coin, consisting of twenties,
tens aud tives, taken out. The Swedes
had adopted this strange method of
safely Disgusting their possessions: but,
as misfortune had it, their novel idea
failed II is needless to say that the
brakeman appropriated one of the shin
ing pieces for his own use, to the heart
rending dismay of the sons of Sweden.
and departed for the caboose. Fargo
Argus.