The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1895-12-20


the lavish plenty, all because l am
struggling to be honest 1t is only
when | become thief that / am out
of danger of starvation-caught or
free"
There, there; now, don't speak so
loud or you'll have some one here. You
hang round and I'll bring you some
provender. What would you like to
have Poached eggs on toast, roast
turkey, Or"
The wretch sank down at my feet as
/ said this and recognizing the cruelty
of It, 1 hurried down into the saloon
and hunted up q steward who had not
yet turned In.
Steward" 1 said. can you get me
a few sandwiches or anything to eat
at this late heur?"
"Yessir; certainly, sir; beef or am,
sir?"
Both, and a cup of coffee, please"
"Well sir, I'm afraid there's no coffee,
sir; but could make you a pot of tea
in a moment. SIR"
"All right, and bring them to my
room, please?"
"Yessir."
In a very short time there was that
faint steward rap at the stateroom
door, and a most appetizing tray-load
was respectfully placed at my service.
When the waiter had gone 1 hurried
up the companionway with much the
air of man who is stealing fowls, and
1 found my stowaway just in the posi-
tion l had left him.
Now pitch in" / said. 'Ill stand
guard forward here, and If you hear me
cough, strike for cover. I'll explain the
tray matter if it's found"
He simply said THANK you, sir" and
/ went forward. When 1 came back
the tray had been swept clean and the
teapot emptied. My stowaway was
making for his den when l said:
How about tomorrow"
He answered:
"This'n do me for a couple of days"
Nonsense! I'll have a square meal
for you here in this wheelbarrow, so
that you can get at it without trouble.
I'll leave it about this time tomorrow
night"
You won't tell any one, any one at
all, sir?"
NO. At least, I'll think over the
matter, and If see a way out I'll let
you know"
God bless you, sir"
I turned the incident over In my mind
a good deal that night, and ] almost
made resolution to take Cupples into
my confidence. Roger Cupples, a law
yer of San Francisco, sat next me at
table, and with the freedom of wild
Westerners we were already we'll ac-
quainted, although only few days out.
Then l thought of putting a SUPPOSE
tious case to the captain-he was
thorough gentleman-and if he spoke
generously about the suppositious case
/ would spring the real one on him.
The stowaway had impressed me by his
language as being a man worth doing
something for.
Next day / was glad to see that it
was rainy. There would be no demand
for ship chairs that day. 1 felt that
real sunshiny weather would certainly
unearth, or unchair, my stowaway. 1
met Cupples on deck, and we walked
few rounds together.
At last Cupples, who had been telling
me some storicS of court trials in San
Francisco, said:
Lets sit down and wrap up This
deck is too wet to walk on"
'All the seats are damp" / said.
'I'll get out my steamer chair. Stew
ard" he cried to the deck steward,
who was showing a mop back and
forth, get me my chair. There's a tag
on it, Berth Ninety-six.
mo, no." / cried hastily; lets go
into the cabin. It's raining"
only drizzle. Won't hurt you at
sea, you know"
By this time the deck steward was
hauling down chairs trying to find
No. SO, which i felt sure would be next
the bottom. ! could not control my
anxiety as the steward got nearer and
nearer the tarpaulin. At last l cried:
Steward, never mind that chair;
take the first two that come handy"
Cupples looked astonished. and as
we sat down 1 said:
Il have something to tell you, and I
trust you will say nothing about it to
any one else. There's a man under
those chairs"
The look that csme into the lawyers
face showed that he thought me de-
mented: but when 1 told him the whole
story the judicial expression came on.
and he said. shaking his head:
That's bad business"
II know it,"
"Yes. but It's worse than you have
any idea of. / presume that you don't
know what section 4.73S of the revised
statutes says?"
"No: don't"
well. 1t is to the effect that any
person or persons who wilfully or with
malice aforethought, or otherwise, shall
aid, abet, succor or cherish, either di-
rectly or indirectly, or by implication.
any person who feloniously or secretly
conceals himself on any vessel, barge,
brig, schooner. bark, clipper, steamship
or other craft touching at or coming
within the Jurisdiction of these United
States. the said persons purpose being
the defrauding of the revenue Of, or
the escaping any or all Of the just legal
dues exacted by such vessel, barge. ct
cetera. the person so aiding or abetting
shall in the eye of the law be consid-
cred as accomplice before. during and
after the Illegal act and shall In such
case be subject to the penalties accru-
ing thereunto. to wit, fine of not
more than $1,000, or Imprisonment Of
not more than two years, or both. at
the option Of the judge before whom