The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-01-18

''Wat yer mean?' demanded the
youth
''You have been down there" the
other returned, and pointed to
large iron ventilator, in which rope
was hanging, that would give to
nimble burglar easy access to the
lower decks. ''You have been down
there and have stolen something"
SEARCH me-" cried the boy, who
turned out his pockets as proof Of
his innocence.
SIT was you who put the rope
there" he added, emphaticaIly; Il
saw you"
For space the accused stood rigid,
a look of mingled passion and alarm
overspreading his countepance. Then,
by swift, yet singing slap upon the
ear, he sent the youth staggering
across the deck.
Take that, you rasca1r' he said.
But the boy still maintained the
truth of his assertion, and further
more stated that Cassidy had thrown
something into my bunk.
Upon searching the bed a can
vas bag was found, and I knew in
stinctively that a clew to the rob-
berries had been obtained.
sent for the mate and in his pres
ence the contents were turned out,
and the brooch and diamond earrings,
the money stolen from the steerage,
with the gold watch and chain, and
the trinkets missed from the saloon,
lay before US.
The revolver, tobacco and spirits
shared the fate of the missing pre-
serves, as they were never recovered.
Next morning the property was re-
turned to the ri ghtful owners. but, a
searching examination of both pris-
oners failed to detect the criminal.
since both stoutly asserted their limo
cence, and witnesses were not obtain
able.
But the sailors speedily settled the
matter to their own satisfaction.
Rightly or wrongly, they declared
the boy was guilty, since Cassidy had
never been known to enter the
fok'sle. They seized the youth. and,
to an accompaniment of fast falling
ropes ends, he was waltzed fore and
aft.
He was expelled from the fok'sle.
and during the remainder of the voy-
age boarded and lodged beneath one
of the long boats.
Cassidy had to leave the fore ca bin,
and took up his quarters in the steer
age.
Who committed the crimes no one
could say, but from that day forth the
ship was relieved from further anx-
iety.
In due course the Silver Dream
dropped anchor in the spacious More
ton bay, Queensland. The Las batch
of passengers had passed into the
steamer that would bear them up the
beautiful river that led toward Bris
bane. Amid ringing cheers the boat
moved slowly away, when the boy
suddenly mounted our rail and 1eapec
upon her paddle box.
Come back" I shouted
'Never. 1 have been disgraced.
he answered, and stood defiantly
shaking his small fist as if desiring tc
annihilate the whole ships company
Shortly before our departure the
boy was captured red-handed in rob
bling an uptown store, and, wishing
to ascertain what part he had playe ed
in robbing the ship, I obtained leave
to enter the jail and see him.
'Is Cassidy guilty or innocent?'
| inquired, and wishing to close the
interview as speedily as possible.
''InnOcent," said he, recklessly
'He saw me getting out at the ven
tilator, and knowing that 1 was dis
covered, snatched up the bag, which
had previously been concealed behinc
some ropes close by, and dashed round
the deck-house. Thinking that yoI
were on deck I threw the bag int
the bunk, hoping to recover it wher
| the row was over"
''Stay!' said, scarcely able to re
strain my anger. 81 shall take YOU
confession in writing, and you cal
sign it,
That he sullenly agreed to do, an,
after a time proceeded with his re
! cital.
81 will teach him not to interior
again." he added. 'sBut now l an
here, I don't mind telling you.''
'You have almost ruined the man,
said. What became of the spirits
tobacco and preserves"
/ SOLO EN- TO Inc sbeorago, ne re
| piled, knowingly. "The shoote
fetched ten dollars
The character of Pat Cassidy wa
cleared by the signed confession
bore from the Jail, and his gratitud
for my exertions was as honest a
himself.
Of the boy never again heard, but
subsequent inquiries proved that h
had several times been charged wit
robbery in San Francisco, and haC
finally been sent from q refOrmator,
school to our ship, in hope of givin,
him new start in life.
Cassidy married the charming Mis-
Magrath, and became a successful
trader in his new home; thus happil
ending the mysterious incident
which so nearly proved his ruin O.