The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-21

ole!
Yes, and he is correct, while you are
And doesn't Byron say in his poem to
the ocean there let her lay eh?"
Yes l believe Byron did perpetrate that
atrocious line, yet that does not make 1t
correct
,"Ah, it's useless to argue with an ass
like YOU" said this Cornstalk philosopher,
as he turned on his heel scornfully, to bor-
row another box of matches from some
unwilling victim.
Only On one occasion did 1 see him hold
the field, however, and that was on the
subject of prison discipline and fiogging
his hearers listened to him sullenly, while
he described in detail the complete sys-
TEN of Colonial, American and English
prison life and punishment, but no one at
tempted to contradict him, and he retired
triumphant
After he had finished my friend Wyllle
said softly:
by lingo. I wish 1 could see that fell
lows bare back. He knows this subject
II ne knows nothing elese."
We were all a little uneasy after this
about our fourth party, for 1t is not pleas
ant to sleep in the same cabin with an un-
explained conundrum We wondered
what he had done, and began to speculate
whether II was a case of wife deSertion,
prison breaking, robbery, or murder, that
had forced him to leave the colonies so
hurriedly. Already we had almost decided
that he was not Lafranc. Neither were
our suspicious at all allayed when we
found him acting as precentOr during that
second nights service, or when he took
part in one of Sankey's hymns on deck
afterwards as they, ought to have been,
Tor he sang with the true nasal intona-
ton of a Salvationist.
After the evening service he showed us
trlumphantly pair of slippers, two pairs
of socks, and a suit of pyjamas which the
charitable parson had lent him. He had
also succeeded in getting shirts, blankets,
ana feather pillow from some of the
lady passengers, likewise some tins of pre-
served milk and other comforts, and a pair
OF blue serge trousers, so that he was able
to put away his suit for the landing, as he
evidently had made up his mind to use the
Norman had managed his business fairly
wen since coming on board, and was now
the most luXuriously-berth in our cabin.
1here was no reason against his landing
at southampton with a complete kit, box,
and all, if he made as good progress every
day. His success made him rather arro-
giant, and he persisted on keeping the cleo
trio light burning, as he wanted to read,
in spite of our remonstrances that we
could not sleep until it was turned out.
The next day, however he was once
more abject and trembling, for we had
reached the port of Adelaide. l had
found there was detective on board, and
rather wickedly told him about this. Then
he implored US again to keep his secret
dark, while he resolved to keep to his
bunk.
There were so many in his secret by this
time, and all so dubious about the truth
of it, that he had no money, he was the
only person who did not secure the last
editions.
| went on shore with the Welshman, and
while there we bought those papers that
we could not get on board. II was while
with me that Taffy spoke about the abuse
of his oVercoat.
II did not like to say mo- when he asked
me for it one night, but l thought he would
be gentlemanly enough to return it next
day and take care Of it, but now it looks
like an old one. What would you adj
wiser"
Get up tomorrow early, or take and
" ta ic in lie
bunk, if You. cannot ask him for it, 1 re-
piled, promptly, feeling that Tahy was
oyer-delicate with this mendicant refu-
gee.
IN just do that; thank you for your
good ADVICE
The newspaper gave US all the informa-
ton we required concerning the wreck of
the Medusa- There was a complete list
of her drowned passengers, with the names
of both women and men. There was also
photographs reproduced of both captain
and the surviving officer, and what set
our doubts at rest was the telegraphic in
formation that Mr.. Lafranc had been
again under examination in Sydney on the
afternoon of the day we left Melbourne;
ergo, Mr.: Norman, having been at the
time on board our steamer and at sea-
could not possibly be Mr.. Lefranc who
still remained in Sydney
we decided not to show him these late
papers, and singular to say he did not
pared the portrait with the supposed orig
lnal, and found that while Mr. Lafranc
was a large-made, thick-necked man,
with a cean-shaVen chin and wearinp
only slight moustache Mr. Norman was
narrow -chested, thin-necked. and full
bearded; the features also as given in the
papers bore not the. least resemblance to
those OF this mysterious fourth party.
lie has not been in gaol lately" re-
marked the observant Mr.. Wylie,
thoughtfully. 'or he would not have that
beard; yet he is in a duece of funk about
something as long as we lie at anchor: /
wonder what he has done?"
IN soon find out, observed Walter, the
into your cabin when 1 feel inclined"
we LETT the chase to Mr.. Walter who
was like the rest of US, idle and wanted
looked deep enough to probe anything. we
felt confident that this disciple OF 'Vidoco
would soon solve such simple mystery.
Three days passed while Mr. Walter
carefully cultivated the acquaintance of
Mr.. Norman, and looked more knowing
than ever when we asked him how he was
getting along.
Il am on the track; these affairs require
time. just leave this matter to me-
one afternoon Mr.. Walter came up from |
the bar in an apparent state of helpless |
intoXication. Without ceremony he lune
himself into my bunk, and told me huskilY
10 leave him alone, for he wanted to sleep |
Mr. Norman was on deck at the time uf- |
suSplciously playing with the children, for |
II he borrowed freely, he was also obllg-
ing with his services to the mothers 1 |
saw that his coat was hanging nm tha n,
side pocket bulged out with letters. and as
left the detective to his game, 1 must |
say felt little mean to take this adj |
over even a criminal.
by the by the Welshman and Mr. Wyllie |
came TO tell me that the cabin door was
bolted inside. so that they could not ger |
in. ! explained that Walter was there |
and they were satisfied
We were still standing together specu-
lating on the result of that Investigation
when Norman darted up to us, his face
liVid with passion, and his eyes glaring
like those of a hunted cat.
What does this mean?" he sputtered
wildly THE cabin door bolted inside
III not stand II. I'll complain to the cap
tain"
Keep cool, old chap" said Mr. wyIlie.
It's only Walter who has tumbled In |
there by mistake. lie Is boozed and
suppose wants a quiet sleep"
Il object to that cursed detective. or
anyone else, using our cabin"
'He is In my bunk" L answered, "and
l have not objected"
"Nor do we object" said both the Welsh
man and Wyllie.
II don't care" shouted, In a high-pitch-
ed voice, I'm not have it. I'll have my
rights"
lie tossed his arms about wildly. and
frothed at the mouth. as he rushed away |
while we waited on the deck
BY the aid Of the stewards the door was
forced open and the still unconscious Wal
IL