Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-06-24

After ALL, l thought, Il have earned
those few kisses dearly
l hurried to the college, and soon
/ forgot Miss Mcguire and her commits
sion.
Next day business was suspended
The citizens were all in the streets
watching the procession and cheering
the royal visitors. l stayed out late
seeing the illuminations and drinking
my future sovereign's health, with
other loyal and thirsty "undergrads"
of Trinity. When l came out of my
bedroom next morning I found the fol-
lowing pleasant letter awaiting me:
Head Police Officer, Lower Castle
Yard-Dear sir: 1t has come to the
knowledge of the authorities that you
recently conveyed a bag containing a
dangerous and unlawful article to a
house in York street. 1t is hoped that
this was done in ignorance. but to
avoid unpleasant consequences you
will do we'll to attend at this Office at
8 p. m. tomorrow and state all you
know Of the affair. The police have
instructions to arrest you should you
attempt to escape. Yours, etc.
ct. Phallon, Inspector, R. |. c."
| was thunderstruck. This came of
cOnsorti~ g with Feniars and females.
[ reflected that smuggling a potheen
was not after all, hanging matter.
Indeed, | was rather surprised that
the detective police should notice it at
all. 1t was the business of the excise
men or "gaugers."
They must have little to do at the
CASTLE l thought. However, | had
better face the music"
At the appointed time l presented
myself at the Irish Scotland Yard
Phallon received me civilly enough,
and conducted me to a room where a
couple of magistrates and Mr.. Phillip
sen, the crown solicitor, were seated.
This is breaking butterfly on a
| wheel in earnest" I said to myself.
What fuss about jar of whskey."
Mr. said the senior magistrate,
1T is my duty to warn you that You
| need not answer the questions we are
about to put to you. You might have
been here as a prisoner, but we hope
you are an innocent agent of this
atlociOus conspiracy You can,
think, best prove your innocence by
complete candor. But, remember.
your statement may be used against
yourself"
ASK what you like" l replied; Il
have not had any share in any 'astroci-
Gus conspiracy
I'VE hope not" said the interroga-
tor; "at least not guilty one. How
ever, you will not deny having carried
black bag which you received from
a young woman at It's circulating
library in Kingstown to 10 York street,
the day before yesterday?''
certainly not" | answered The
young lady asked me to do a triling
commission for her, and | did it,
Il ask you" said the magistrate,
sClemnly, did you know the contents
of that 'bag?"
[ hesitated, but l did not think it
right, or perhaps wise, to tell q lie so
said with smile:
Eyes, sir; l knew the contents of the
bag. Very good stuff it was too. I
hope his royal highness will get some
before he leaves Ireland
Silence, sir" cried the magistrate
together, then the senior said:
Il think we may stop the examina-
ton and commit this wretched youth
who glOries in his guilt, to Kilmain-
ham He actually smiles at a crime
that might have resulted in death and
destruction
Gentlemen" I cried, Indignantly,
''su1eIy you will not send me to pri-
son for such a trifleo did wrong, |
supl csc, but l was reared in Sligo,
where every man, woman, and child
magistrates and ministers included
drinks pOtheen. To circumvent the
gauger, by carrying it to a friend, is
considered at act of piety and charity,
Nhich no Christian man would re-
fuse to perform. The British empire
will not come to an end because half
a crown duty has not been paid on a
quart of good liquor l will pay the
81 three times over, and a fine as
we'll. But you have no right to send
me to a gaol-at least in this hole
al d-cOrner manner. I demand publ:
examination and legal assistance"
The magistrates looked greatly re-
lieved. "Tell us plainly what You
supposed was in the bag" said the in
quisitor, mildly.
"a quart Of potheen, or Illicit whis-
key" I replied. "And I say again
that l wish his royal highness had
some. 1t he once tasted it, am sure
he would never send a subject to jail
for making or carrying or drinking it,"
Would you be surprised to hear
that your friends jar of potheen was
a nitro-glycerine bomb, intended to
have been flung into the princes car
riage by the Fenian B, alias Sander
SOM" asked the magistrate.
1 nearly tainted with horror. And
who is Ellen Maguire?" 1 gasped.
"B-'s wife," said Detective Phallon,
"as dangerous an anarchist as there
is in Europe. She carries the weapons
Of the conspirators, and something
rursues young fools, who admire her
black eyes, to help her"
The serpent" l exclaimed Il will
give evidence against her with plea
sure, and will go to see her hanged.
l slept with that awful thing under my
pillow! 1t might have blown me to
pieces"