The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-12-04
-:- OUR DAILY SHORT STORY


ram Wilkinson next introduced himself as being from a private Liverpool agency. He had wig and goggles and was trying to talk through his nose and be taken for a New Englander. He felt that he had come to the right party in coming to the purser, and he didn't shut his mouth until the sec- ret was out.
 Its the feller as calls hisself Stone" he whispered, "I spotted him the instant he came up the gang-plank. but dasn't tackle him on sight. I am making the voyage to play my fish. I'll bet pounds to shillings make him trap himself in less than three days. He claims to have a brother in the butcher business at Albany, but of course that's all in your eye"
 You think he's the man? queried the purser in an absent way as he began to see the humorous side of the situation.
 Say now take good long look at him yourself. He looks the thief from head to heel Haven't you noticed his nervousness? He's afraid he's been followed. He'll make fight for it when sight the American coast, but I'll have the irons on him before he can say Jack Robinson. Mum. is the word, and you'll get your whack of the re- ward"
 There was no fifth detective aboard to ask the purser for his confidence and assis- tance but after day two Mir. Abijah Absalom Barnes he gave his name, ask ed the official to take charge of a package for him.
 Its only some grimcracks I've been buying abroad" he explained, but Martha and the children will be looking for pres ents when I get home. That Yurup Is a great country, but I hain't seen no spot like old New Hampshire since went away. Ever got up that far. 9"
 T never have" replied the purser al he wondered how Uncle Abijah had escaped the pitfalls that must have been set for his feet
 If you ever have a chance come up and stay with me for a week and it shan't cost you a red cent If you've got wife and children bring 'em along If you could come in the Winter I'd take you to half dozen spelling schools and we'd slide down hills on hand-sleds. I own hill over mile long, and my old woman can make buckwheat cakes to beat the band. Say, now, is there any danger of any one steal ing my package from you?"
 Not the slightest"
 Because there are some suspicious char acters aboard. I've run across four differ ent men that I wouldn't trust to go to my barn to get sack to measure oats. They call themselves Stone. Dubois, Saunders and Wilkinson. We've got tin-peddlers up in my state that look more honest than these men do. I'm right on to 'em however. and they can't fool me"
 At least once a day during the rest Of the voyage each of the four detectives sought out the purser and reported progress and planned what should be done when Guar antine was reached While each one had only suspected one another from the start only three days passed, when each mans suspicious included the three others in the quartet. Uncle Abijah bothered them from the start He insisted bu1inR in at all times and under all circumstances. If one detective had another aside to pump him. the old man from New Hampshire present. ly appeared and carelessly said
 "Gentlemen I hope I don't tntrude, but were either of you ever up in Sock county, New Hampshire
 Never, was the reply
 Then you've missed a great thing We hain't got no Niagra Falls up there, hut the sliding down hiu in the Winter heats anything you can find outdoors, You load up big sled with gals and head her down hill and let her go. and the first thing you know you are two miles away I hain't got but one sspare bed in the house, but Martha and me will sleep on the floor if you'll come up,"