Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-05-02
CHAPTER XIX.
THE 1oor1Na OF THE TprAs,,p,


On the 18th of September thick-set
man of middle age, dressed in rather
clerical suit, with beaver hat on his
head and a cane in his hand, was prom
enading along the docks of the Potomac
at Washington.
1t was fully four o'clock in the after
noon.
Its time the Fisher Boy was in"
he muttered. "If everything has gone
well she should be in tonight. That
two-master below there looks like her,
"Wcll, I've got the information all
worked up; even got a job in the treas
ury. Blest If it wouldn't be wise
scheme in me to turn honest. I'm going
to do it, sure, for see the end ahead,
and it's hemp rope. But I'll see this
haul out first, and the captain. says he
proposes to divide the spoils and scat
ter. That suits me; it won't be n small
sum there'll be to divide, especially il
we make this haul-no, sir! I'll slope
and hunt up the old woman again, Join
the church and live honest. Humph!
! wonder if can, now? Can you do
1t. Sandy, old boy?
Now, remember n phrenologer told
me one time that had great head for
forecasting. If I can just forecast far
enough to quit this pirate business be-
fore it's day too late shall believe he
knew what he was talking about.
Hanged if that amt the old craftl
No other that was ever aboard could
pillow through the water with the ease
that she does. She rides like feather.
Yes, there's pock-marked Bill at the
ttiller, and there's the captain. I'm
bound his black beard is slowed away
safe enough now. Why, he looks like
he was born ON fishing smack. Most
of the crew are below deck.
'sThunderl but it's big chances to
come in here, and congress this week
appropriated money to put two sloops
on the coast searching for him. Great
Cesar! look at the fish; whole deck
load, and there's the seines piled up
astern there. Bought the whole bust
ness of some fishing smack. Black
Boards keen one, he is. All, here she
comes, right in here"
The schooner swung into the dock
and three sailors jumped ashore. The
lines were heaved and made fast, n
number of fish peddlers' carts were
soon alongside and the mate was soon
selling fish by the cart load to supply
the good citizens of Washington.
"Is this the Fisher Boy?" asked our
clerical-looking friend, as he stepped
- 4bo e;J, <1,n esoboouar
Certain! certainl" answered the cap
tain. "Cah't you see her name on the
stern? But what do you want,
dominy?"
ST desire to see the captain, I am col.
lecting money for the seamen's fund"
Come aboard, the Fisher Boy will
hardly send you away empty handed,
even if you have to carry fish. Go to
my cabin, and I'll soon be with you"
Sandy went aft, and descended to the
cabin, where he was soon joined by the
captain.
"Well, Sandy, what luck?"
"Mr. Albert Bivens, If you please,
captain" said Sandy, with bow. II
am clerk in the treasury department
at $40 month; my father, Rev. Peter
B. Bivens, was for many years a mis-
sionary among the Indians, and they
killed the man who was trying to save
their souls. My father left q large
family, and died poor, so must support
and educate the younger ones"
swell done, Sandy! well donei Did
the Indians eat the old MANI?
"He was too poor for that, captain"
"There's the grog, Sandy, take aswig
and tell me, is the plan laid?"
Laid to hair, captainl laid to q
hairl"
PUT your handt there, Sandy, my boy,
you never fall"
"You see, captain, once I got the job
had everything easy; for I was In the
treasury all the time. The night watch
man ut the treasury building carries q
key to the building; Third Assistant
Paynor carries the keys to the vaults
know exactly where he lives, and ]
know exactly how to reach the vaults;
there is more gold there than we car
carry, with all our men,"
| "Too bad, that, Sandy, but Well dc
our best to lessen the quantity, and this
is the last trip on this coast. We return
to the island---one little job want the
crew to help me in, and every man shall
draw his share, and we'll sail for parts
unknown--are there sentinels in the
building?"
"There is the Waterman at the door
who has the outer keys. and there's one
.laatapeli they change guard every: &op,