Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1894-09-22
TIE NAN WITH The LEVELS.



Q. MARION Crawford Reports IN Escseinn
Tims on an Itailan steamer.
"speaking OF jewels" said r. Marion
Crawford, the author, TO n reporter, recalls
10 me an incident ON an Italian steamer 10
illustrates the overpowering greed for gold
and the estimate some people place upon
their worldly possessions. ~ also Illus
trates a mans splendid nerve.
1T was on my last trip up from India
II was dinner hour. My seat was ON the
captains right Opposite me sat an old
Englisb sea captain. Next 70 him was n
Calcutta English merchant who had ac-
eumulated fortune and was returning 20
old England to enjoy It. He had invested
large sum OF money In rich jewels. and
they were aboard with him. There were
only few OF us who knew that the ships
Eafe contained many thousands OF pounds
sterling worth Of diamonds and rubies.
I'VE were all laughing and talking and
enjoying our meal immensely. No one
Thought Of disaster or accident.
Next came a sudden and tremendous
shock, accompanied by a humping, bump
ing sound from the hold ~ IL we had struck
upon n rock. The sensation was indie
scribably painful. There was . ncs-a OF
running about ON deck. The passengers
spranR from their seats. their features
blnnchcd with terror, and their eyes start
ing with fear. Wives threw themselves
into their husbands arms. Mothers pressed
their little ones TO their breasts. All was
confusion and disorder. Everybody was
panic stricken. IL seemed as II we could
hear the waters rush into the aperture we
were all certain had been torn In the vcs-
4 sells bottom. Every woman screamed. and
the men were about a. badly demoralized
"The English sen captain sprang to his
feet, exelaiming. We'll. ! guess we are dons
for II was a supreme moment.
1.-The owner OF the jewels was pitiabl.
sight. He was the first person to reach hi,
feet, clutching the back OF the revolving
chair with one hand and pressing the othei
tightly against his heart. His face was I
sickly livid; his mouth was open and hi
eyes wild
my God' my jewclsr
His tones were scarcely above a hoars,
|. whisper. The mans terror was so greai
that he fascinated me, and for moment
forgot my own apprehensions. could NO
take my eyes of his face. You see, his frs
and only thought was his jewels. Ever,
other person In the saloon was thinking o
his life, but this mans mind In that mo
ment Of terrible suspense was centeres
: upon his wealth.
There was but one man who remaines
In his seat and apparently unmoved, for |
he experienced any fear he certainly di,
not manifest 1t. At the moment the crasl
came the Italian captain had stretched on
his hand to grasp bottle OF wine betweel
his plato and mine. The muscular move
ment did not cease The hand grasped tn
J bottle, and, conveying It to his glass,
coolly poured the red liquid fun TO tn
brim. He returned the bottle to its plac
, and glanced up almost inquiringly at III
terrified creatures who were ragged In a
sorts OF attitudes expressive of their respe'
tive feelings.
sit was all over in few moments, 20
know. The passengers with their ne,
thought instinctively looked toward Il
captain, and seeing him so calm hesitate
) before taking their mad flight up the y
, loon staircase to the deck. as all were col
. templating. At that moment one of Il
petty officers hurried down the stairca
and whispered word In the captains en-
"'Do not feel alarmed, my friends sa
the captain in clear. reassuring tones, ,whis
at once soothed the emotions and stilled q
fears Of his hearers, there Is no danger al
we are not ON q rock
The man with the Jewels dropped in
a his seat as limp rs rag and as weak as
n babe, a great sigh of relief escaping fro
4 his lips. The relief was of course generf
= though our appetites were seriously il
= paired. We then learned that the cylind
y head OF one of the low pressure engines h'
u blown out and the piston rod wns having
e parrot and monkey time all by itself.
d was an exciting experience-one which
would not care to 20 through again. me
- York Sun.