The morning news., 1899-05-17
TOUCHED HIM FOR FORTY.
LITTLE DARKEY PICKED A KEN
TUCKIAN'S POCKET.

to Carry His Valise Took Four $40
ned Out-The Police Are Looking
for the Youngster-DeaIers Were
Kept Out of the Kentuckians'
Camp While the Troops Were Be-
ing Paid.
The Third Kentucky Regiment Is now
numbered among those that were. 1t was
mustered out of the service yesterday
morning, and most of its members left
during the afternoon for their "old Ken
lucky homes"
The Third was encamped on the north
side of Dale avenue. II was there that the
paymasters began giving the troops their
money at about o'clock, and by noon all
was over. Privates were the richer by
an average of $12O, while non-commission-
ed officers had little and commissioned
officers a great deal more. Back pay was
coming to the Kentuckians. and what
they received covered what they had earn
ed in the service since March.
The muster out was the quietest Of any
that has been seen here. No report of
the slightest hitch or trouble could be
gathered and officers and men were all
pleased with the way the thing worked
out Col Joseph T. Smith spoke in the
most satisfied way of his regiment. and
expressed his joy that the muster out had
proceeded without trouble.
The feeling among officers and men of
the regiment has always been exemplary
the colonel himself being one of the most
popular commanders in the service. 1t
was this very popularity of the officers
and complete understanding that existed
between them and their men that created
the suspicion that there would be a little
more blanket tossing the day of muster
out Col. Smith had rather expected his
men 10 make descent upon the officers,
but they generously refrained and the Of
ffcers were thus spared the unpleasant
GensaJion of being tossed.
A strong detachment Of the provost
guard was at hand to keep fakirs and
other dealers away from the camp. lie
was established, and within that no one
was allowed to come, either for the sale
or delivery of goods. The regulars obeyed
tltlI OIitTS, anu uOt a man CAOSSCu Nltr
line. No embargo was placed upon the
soldiers. They could cross and recross.
1t was merely the vendors who were not
allowed to enter the camp
Col Smith said he did not propose to
have the fakirs crowding around the
places where the men were being paid
off. Wherever this has been done there
has been trouble growing out of the con-
fusion and the opportunities of the ven
signed by the colonel for keeping the
hawkers back, though he also believed the
danger Of losses through pocket-picking
would be minimized by the pan. Some
of the merchants complained that the de-
livery of goods soldiers had ordered from
them was interfered with by the arrange
ment. but others stated they saw nothing
Objectionable about it.
One of the Kentuckians was a sufferer
from pocket-picking but it was not until
he had got into the city that he fell
into the hands of the PhiHstine. Then it
was nothing but minutive darkey of
l3. whose Ight-fngered manipula tions re-
lieved the soldier of four SO gold pieces.
Private A. w. Jones of Company A was
the man. He went into b. H. Lew &
Bros store, on Broughton street. to make
several purchases. He bought coat. and
then wanted a pair OF trousers. A pair
tA4etI SuLtth lllkll III appearance was
cured, and then the soldier retired to the
dressing compartment to try them on. The
old trousers he left in the care of little
darkey whom he picked up on the street
to carry his grip for him. Hold these "
he said to the boy "and mind Won don't
let my watch fall OUT The little dar1ev
took the trousers, promising to be very
careful.
1t was not long before the soldier found
fba
and then he wanted pair of suspenders.
Going with the clerk to the counter over
which suspcnders are sold he very foo
ishly left the trousers in the care of ybe
boy. Again change back to the old was
made, and then the soldier thrust his
hand down into a pocket to get his money.
look Of alarm overspread his face. and
he diyed down into the other pocket after
having fished up but one $40 piece. From
the other pocket he pulled out roll of
bills, but the missing eagles were moi Ia
Be found.
Il have lost my money" said the SOL
der "I had five $40 god pieces in this
pocket. and the bills, as you see. in tine
other. I got $l1S out al camp when we
were paid off. l don't see where the mon
ey could have gone. l certainly had If
when l came in
Then a thought seemed to strike the
soldier. Where's chat boy?" he asked.
But the boy was nowhere to be seen. He
had skinned out as soon as he got The
four eagles in his clutch. The soldier
rushed out on the street to see if he could
fnd he darkey, but he had made good
use of the start he mad secured and was
not to be seen.
The aid OF the police was invoked by the
soldier, and it is not unlikely the voune-
sler may be caught A description was
furnished by the clerk, who had observed
him rather narrowly, and a policeman said
when he heard the description, 1T must
be Devil Eye" Another sharp little dar-
key was called in. His services were So
cured as sleuth and when he heard tha
cUlprit described he also said. 1T must
be Devil Eye" Devil Eye is under
strong suspicion by the police. and he NAV
be found and made TO account for the
money.
The merchants were as busy as usual on
a muster-out day during the afternoon
and a great quantity of goods was bought
by the soldiers. Trunks and valises wers
purchased to carry other purchases in. and
the clothiers Jared best of all. as has al.