Evening journal., 1905-04-19
The Dynamite Bomb A SEA RHAPSODY
Icopyrigbt, 1906. BY T. c. Mcclure.l

ne wished for an interview with a
great man ashore. He makes his APP
proach through the purser, and unless
his business is Of the greatest impor-
tance he is not encouraged to string it
out
When j. B. Stillman, Chicago, first
class passenger on the Undine, asked
to see the captain when the ship was
400 miles on her westward course his
excuse that he had a letter to deliver
to him was not deemed sufficient to
arouse the commander from bis fore
noon nap. The purser took the letter
to deliver two hours later
Mr.. Stillman had an interview with
the captain, however, and it was one
he was not likely to forget for years.
He was playing cards in the smoking
saloon when he got word that the
great man wanted TO see him instanter.
The word was brought by the purser
and the chief officer, who were ready
to escort him to the captains state
room by force If necessary.
"Sir explain yourself about this let
term said the captain as he held out
the missive given to the purser two
hours before.
"You mean how did it come into my
pOssessionE'
That's it,"
ut was handed to me at my hotel
just before 1 left to come aboard. 1
promised to hand it to you at once, but
in the hustle and confusion and being
naturally absentminded l forgot all
about it until few hours ago. If 1
have caused you worry or damage 1
sincerely regret it."
"Who gave you the letter.
"A stranger and yet he was a man
had seen several times. Indeed l heard
him say that he intended to take this
steamer, and when he handed me the
letter / supposed it concerned that
business. Is there anything wrong.
captainw
There may be a good deal wrong,
sir" was the grim reply. ''Is there any
one aboard who cap identify you?'
Yes. there's Brown of Philadelphia,
Warner Of Boston and Phillips Of
Pittsburg. I've done business with all
Of them. DO you take me for a card
sharp or a conspiratorT'
"Give the gentlemen named my com
pliments and ask them to favor me for
a moment" said the captain to the
purser and mate.
During the five minutes which elapsed
before the men returned he made no
remark to Stillman, and the man from
4, Chicago felt foolish and uncomfortable.
fJe was not a fugitive from justice,
nd he bad committed no breach Of
discipline aboard the steamer, but all
signs indicated that he was in for trou-
bic.
"Gentlemen. you know Mr.. Stillman,
Ndo your was asked Of the three par
flies named.
\ They answered in the affirmative and
soon satisfied the captain that he was
IA man of character.
"Then ! am in something Of FIX he
replied. Il did not suspect Mr.. Still
man Of being a villain. but was rath-
er in hopes TO hear that he was a prac-
tical joker. If it had turned out that
way my mind would have been re-
lieved, and yet I should have had him
in irons for the rest of the voyage. This
letter states that dynamite bomb has
found its way into one Of~Our coal
bunkers and that when 1t is fed into
the furnace we will become food for
the fishes"
"And do you believe the letter a hoax
or is it a warningT
''lt is a warning"
81 agree with you. and I must take
all Of you into my confidence. Not q
lisp Of the matter must get beyond
this room We are helpless. Let the
crowd know why we are so and hun
dred Of them would jump overheard
That bomb may be fed into one Of the
furnaces while we talk or it may es
cape the coal passers until we reacf
our dock in New York. We have sim
ply got to take our chances
"But the coal bunlers-why not over
haul the coal bunkersT asked Warner
and Phillips together.
"Why not search for the cork Of ;
champagne bottle on this broad
oceanr' queried the captain, with {
smile in which there was no humor
"Perhaps none Of you gentlemen eve
anw a dynamite bomb OF the sort tha
we have been loaded with7 Well,
have. 1t is artfully concealed in
dump Of coal. Unless we inspected
, each lump in the bunkers by itself w
could not find the bomb"
why not shovel every pound Of Goa
into the sea and lie by until picked VI
and towed in 2" was asked.
'srhe bomb would then go over wit
the coal, and we should have only thi
letter left. II would be called a hoas
We would be called FOOLS and Old VIC
men. II would be known as the hoa.
OF the century, and smart Alecks b.
the dozen would perpetrate it again
We shall keep. right on. Not a hin
must reach another soul aboard.
will have the boats made as neari
ready as I dare, and then we mus
wear smiling faces and trust to God"
The Undine made a speedy and SAT
Voyage and entered her slip in Nel
York with all well ana no excitemen
Two days later Stilman went dow
lfrom his hotel to see the captain an
to ask If he had heard anything new.
"Come to MY cabin" was the repr
And when they were there he shove
the Chicago man a lump OF coal weigl
hng dfty pounds anu deftly conceale
i'm Its center a dynamite bomb bi