Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1907-08-15

1t was just prior to the mcri-
can war. The Cuban insurgents were Civ
Ing the king OF Spain no end of trouble.
although the United States authorities
were doing all in their power to observe
the neutrality laws. But In spite. of ex-
IRENE precautions munitions of war con-
tinucd to leave this country and were
eventually struggled into the rebel lines.
The representative of his most Chris
tian majesty made HE miserable for the
head OF the state department at Wash
ington. He In turn passed the trouble
on to the secretary of the treasury, and
that official issued countless proclama-
tons TO the collectors of customs at the
various ports saying the violations of the
law must be stopped at any cost. But the
Cuban iilibusters continued to be as nu-
merous and as active as mosquitoes IN n
Jersey swamp.
Very early In the game Barnes got his
eye on one Captain" Levi Cross, II sailor
OF fortune, who was deficient In what
come persons call scruplcs. The captain
was Il man who had his uos and downs
in the word. but he was persistent and
rcsourceful and would never stay beaten.
One morning maritime circles awokc to
ma that the captain had chartered the
tramp steamer Golden Rod ior the pur-
pose of carrying IA cargo of food stuffs to
Jamaica. When Barnes reached his office
III learned tiit the vessel was already
loaded and that the entcrprisirg Cross had
his clearance papers. A sense of duty
prompted the chief to send an inspector
to the wharf to make a careful examina-
ton of the cargo before permitting the
vessel to leave its dock. The man re-
turned with the Information that every
thing was in proper shape. The principal
item In the miscellaneous cargo was one
hundred casks of mixed pickles, the tops
of which uprn ali stpr,nai WITH tho .r.la
mark of n well known firm. When the
Inspector showed some slsc pticism about
TINS the captain seized Il Ratchet md
priea open the top of the nearest barrel.
revealing laycs' after layer of symmetrical!
pickles of various sizes and sllapcs.
In spite Of this visible evidence Barnes
had the Golden Rod spotted all the time
she was in the dock. During the MORN
tnG the ere" arrived. They were simple
looking fellows. and there were not morr
than enough of them TO barely navigate
the boat. Shortly before noon Captain
Cross called for a messenger and CAV
him a note to deliver. The boy had Keen
conveniently provided by Barnes and as
soon as he got the letter he went direct
to the chief Inspectors office and gave 1t
to him. 1t was addressed to Mir. John
l'oik.' n care OF a sailors boarding house
not many blocks way. The chief quickly
the letter. which read as follows:
Sorry you can't joint Us. All of lis re-
m'i'ps' you. cspec'ally 1t meal time. Joe
= oi,!'NiHs Unexpectedly lost his Vile yes
terday. 1t happened at a little before &
before Z o'clock. Won't you
tell this to John this evening. anu do it
INC oid man hasuly sealed tho original
'e''ei III 'ne envelope ana baue the mes
'ehser denver III TO the address cesis-
mated by Captain Cross. CLANCY watched
the proceedings with an unfriend!y eye.
flnaiiy ne unburdened his mind. rcluc-
santly. but with a sort of defiance.
Dahgerous business. isn't 1t. chief?"
.What! snapped Barnes.
.I!s'ercept-n peoples letters
CLANCY SAID the old man solemnly.
'there are times wnen your moral sense
0verclouds your gigantic Intellect"
lne oIahk look on the race OF his as
s'stant maze the chief laugh.
AIS tair IN war, and this is war;" he
~aueo Sharply to close the discussion.
you didn't get much" grumblcd the
to'tItu! servitor. VINO had been permitted
70 see the letter.
III that's a question I'll answer 1t a lit
We later said Barnes But in the mean
Slne let no one disturb me for The next
"1,i hour.
y en.ereu ms Fr.Vate oNice and closed
sMe uoor oehihu aim. Ciancys mind
~olke1 Slowly ana there were times when
ne eouid no, comprehend his superior. but
wn VIA ne lacked IN Keenness OF intellect he
r w. -. ahan maze up IN loyalty to his chief.
harnes knew and appreciated this faith
.u.ness' ana although he occasionally
t WV. .ns lal.nlul one ne would not
nans ha...u COMPANY with MIN under any
~ s.o.. Sinncy pa'roiied the space
a,or. ~ " .ns DOORWAY with both eyes
".at. 20 prevent any one from interrupt
.as .he o,u man. Zen. fifteen and then
.ar,a n n'" weht py ana sun Barnes
Ie.nalneu ciose.'d IN his room. Clancy
was 'Nsi.nins 70 wonder now much long
=. wou'u last when a loud shout cam
rom WITHIN. II was a cry of joy. The
aooE YVES thrown open and Barnes APP
peaIeg on me sili. beckontng exultantly to