The sun., 1897-02-14
DROPPED THE WRONG PACKAGE.
The Costly Mistake or q soatheruer Rua-
.tng Away from the War.

The Costly Mistake or n seatheruer Run
.inE Away from the War.
Fruz te cafcu1o rIses Hcruid.
In 1858 John Smith, q Southern speculator,
who was better known bY another name. which
Il Is no: necessary TO give here. thought IL best
To wind up his business aad &c; oct Of the Con-
fedesacT. He quietly converted his property
into Confederate money. with which he pur.
.ha'-d diamonds and greenbacks. The money
and gems amou ltej 20 about 500. 900.
The Spectator had made arrangements TO
take massage for Nassau on a blockade runner
from Wilmington. lie had exemption papers
and a Confederate passport. and the only thinG
he dreaded was his possible capture by a Fed
e-al war vessel. To guard against this he
speat two or three months In Whining gton BE-
fore sailing and he made II his business II cul-
t'Tate the most experienced blockade TuHners
and get pointers from them about bis triv.
!, wasA dark. rainy night IN October when
Smith boarded a blockade runner and went IN
his statercom. He wss-plrInly dressed In
suit made to stand the wear and tear OF travel.
and II was his intention not 70 take or his
clothes until ne reached n place CT safety on
DRY land. Under his sack coat. suspended by
q strap around his shoulder. he wore a strong
leather pouch. securely locked. and in this re-
ceptAcle he carried his money and diamonds.
He intended when he reached Nassau 20 take
passage British steamer FOR Liverpool
end remain in Europe until the war over.
Jus. before the ship weighed anchor that
night q messenger from, Richmond came on
board aud asked for Mr.. Smith. He wa. con-
dlcted tn the passengers stateroorn and there
introduced himself. lie brought with him q
package OF despatches from the Confederate
State Department to its representatives in Lon
H.
Smith 20 see that the documents vsrc placed
in safe hands. so that they woald rrsch their
destination.
This was an unpleasant surprise to the spec
ulator. II he was captured with these papers
on his person !t would 90 hard with him. lie
Was not so much concerned abodt his valuable
personal propertv; because he had infuental
look after mis- interests
lie could not refuse. however. 10 take the
DISPATCHES. II he carried the N safely they
would In n.roduce him 10 some very prominent
men. and IL he found himself In danger OF be-
Ing captured h. could a, the last moment
age. unlocked his ieatLer pouch. and stow~d
the little bundle sausly Away side by side with
ulond departed. and Smith proceeded TO the
deck. where he watched his surroundtnSs.with
lively curiosity.
After taking several pulls at a flask. Smith
s~cl!et with pride as he thought OF his i'm
por ant mission.
Perhaps the tate of the Confsderacy was In
his hands. lie would deliver the dispatches
In person. and he would make Tho hizhe>t
Officials OF the English and French Govern
meuts understand lhat he was their eGual-an
envoy extraordinary in disguise on secret bust
,ie nes' He gould become familiar With court
lie took another drink. and was framing
somr grand!loGuent sentences o be used whcn
he met the head ~ the British Foreign once
he was IN the midst OF this occupattoiI when an
unusual hustle around him attracted his atten-
tiou. IL vas good daylight and the ship was
n.
The gently li'tins fog made the outlines o!
thre. Federal cruisers distinctly visible a short
dl-tancc OF. smith did not know what to do,
ard he took another bTaccE. This last drink
muddled his head.
friend the CAPTAIN. but that worthy was too
busT to attend to him. Then he questioned
hs o'h5 s ss sa H. sG ,oa sas e9Si4 sSsa
were in devil OF fix and-~ ould lie capture'..
rhe Federal cruisers came nearer. aud one
Of them fired shot ~h h narrowly missed the
blockade runner.
What Is tae natter with our shIp'" yelled
Ma hinery disabled" was the answer. we
must get back to port or be cantured.'
hand into IL, and threw package into the sea.
That won't trouble ue any more" he
that I am CnIon man leaving the Conted-
eraey TO avoid military service. that Will
were we're r. frsd and III: vessel surrendered. In a
few minutes she was In the possession a. n
Federal Lieutenant and a squad OF marines.
Tho Captain answered the questions frankly.
aud was told that. while the vessel and cargo
would be cnnns ,ated, he would probably lie
released after a short detention.
Mr.. smith thea loomed up a. the chief object
Of interest. He was questioned closely. nd
search" said the nficer In command.
IAN right" replied smith. II Am. as I
to hght the old flag. l turned my property
into:lIoney and diamonds and they are here in
tssm s, svs oashs fRs vii b o.
turned 10 me after see the authorities at
with the KEY handed Ia him bv its owner. He
pulled out a pa kage and glanced at IL
II see nothing here but letters" he said IN
Great Coddl.mirhty" shouted Smith.
where are my dI.mond. and tho none -
"nOw should | know An-wered the other.
Well. know" Grosned smith. Il threw
the wroag package overheard by mistake. and
The unhappy passenger made an attempt to
leap T. TO the water. but TWO marines held him.
dres.ed e s vafsas conteesTa.s sS Mias,srs and md
ing,on. aud you will te sent there also
That NAV be-" was the reply. "hut YOU
have bees caught rhnning the blockade with
Confederate despntches The matter "tl. have
10 be- Investigated"
smith protested and swore, but lie was re.
moved 10 one "f the cruisers, and In due time
He told his story and was sent tn prison
Then his Union relatives worked In his heaalf.
aud az she end ~ wear lie was released. a
lroken,down, peunll, IS man. He was re1ured
IN take the oath m allie glance u the Federal
Government. and drI;t ii about aiul."ssly, fry-
tn2 TO get sob, an" reiaried with suspicion
everywhere.
In the fail Of 1884 10 returned South. slim
ring through the lines with u lot OF nuinine
which lie thought would yield him profit
He was arrested ana forced to icin the army
and his auinine was contlscated.
lie lived years. hut never recovered
from his mistake in throwing the wang pack
are overheard