Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-02-23
BY GEORGE

an ACtpf IN Wnsil mas HltlCt iDtllt
Ia he known as "the great mixed pic
kics plot"
1t was Just prior to the SPANISH
American war. The Cuban insurgents
were giving the king OF Spain no end OF
trouble. although the United States au-
tEOrlties were doing all in their power
10 observe the neutrality laws. But in
spite or extreme precautions munitions
of war continued to leave this country
and were eventually smuggled into the
rebel lines.
The representative of his most Chris
liar majesty made life miserable for tina
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-
lions TO tho collectors Of customs at the
yarius ports saying the violations OF the
law must be stopped at any cost. But
tho Cuban flibusters continued to be
as numerous and as active as mosqui-
toes IN Jersey swamp.
Very early IN the game Barnes got his
eye on one Captain" Levi Cross,
sailor of fortune who was deficient IN
what some persons call scruples. The
captain was n man who had his ups
and downs In the world, but he was
persistent and resourceful and would
never stay beaten.
One morning maritime circles awoEe
to find that the captain had chartered
the tramp steamer Golden Rod for the
purpose OF carrying a cargo of food
stuffs to Jamaica When Barnes reach
ed his office he learned that the vessel
was already loaded and that the enter
prising Cross had his clearance papers,
A sense of duty prompted the chief to
send an Inspector 10 the wharf to make
careful examination of the cargo be-
fore permitting the vessel TO leave Its
dock The man returned with the ln
formation that everything was in prop
Ell shape. The principal item In the
miscellaneous cargo was 100 casks OF
mixed pickles. the tops OF which were
all stamped with the trade mark of
q well known frn. When the Inspector
showed some scepticisin about this tho
captain seized Ratchet and pried open
the top OF the nearest barrel, revealing
layer after layer of symme trical pickles
or various Sizes and shapes.
In spite of this visible evidence
Barnes had the Golden Rod spotted all
tho time she was In the dock During
the morning the crew arrived. They
were simple looking fellows, and there
We're not more than enough of them to
barely navigate the boat. Shortly before
noon Capt Cross called for mes
senger and gave him a note to deliver.
The boy had been conveniently pro-
vided by Barnes and as soon as he got
the letter he went direct 10 the chiee
inspectors office and gave it 10 him.
II was addressed To MIR John Polk"
IN care OF a sailors boarding house not
many blocks away. The chief quickly
copied the letter. which read ms fol-
lows;
Sorry you can't join us. All OF us
remember you, especially at meal time,
Joe Tompkins unexpectedly lost his
vile yesterday. IL happened at a little
before 6-leastwise before O'Clock,
Won't you tell this to John this eve
ming, and do II sure2'
The old man hastily sealed The orig
inal letter I'm the envelope and bade
the messenger deliver IL To the address
designated by Capt. Cross. Clancy
watched the proceedings with an nm
friendly eye Finally he Unburdened his
mind, reluctantly, but with a sort OF
defiance.
Dangerous business, isn't It, chicf2"
What" snapped Barnes,
'Intoi septin peoples letters"
CLANCY - said the old man solemn
IS, there are times when your moral
NfUNt hN'ANl'hh0 SNaA hANuAtiN iA'N'T
lcct"
The blank look on the face Of his
assistant made the chief laugh
''All's fair in war and this Is wal" "
he added sharply to close the discus
sion.
"Sou didn't got much" srumhled
the faithful serNitor. who had been
permitted 10 see the letter.
III that's q question I'll answer 1t
u little later" said Barnes. ''But in
the meantime let no one disturb me
for the next half hour
He entered his private Office and
closed the door behind him. clancy
mind worked slowly and there We're
vines when ne could not comprehend
his superior. but what he lacked in
lScenncss OF intellect he more than
made mp IA loyalty TO his chief Barnes
knew and appreciated this faithful
ness. and although he occasionally
twitted the faithful ono he woGld not
have parted company Win him under
tho space in front OF the doorway with
both eyes alert 10 prevent any ono
from intcrruptng the old man. Ten,
10 and then 20 minutes went 10y and
stlll Barnes remained closeted In his
room. Clancy was beginning 20 Won
S"- how mrcll longer IL would las
when a loud shout came from within.
thrown open and Barnes appeared on
ihc sill. beckonlng eSultantly TO his
faithful sentinel.
ITS all right. Clancy us an right
exclaimed the chief putting his arms
nround the Young man
whats all rghte" asked Clancy
with lHmentahly weak attempt al
pretended Ignorance
"rho letter. cried Barnes. "Gc
ready to leave town with me on the
o'cloclS twain"
"AIight 1 ask -Hhy9" This With 3
loplS Of injured dignity
"Cortaiuly' and he handed him tbs
letter Look az that I've Mnderlnct
every fourth word. and the whOl'
things az clear as daylight"
Clancy slowly spelled out the 1
w0rd message which, as the chief has
mderseored, II appeared in tho let
ter as follows.
"Sorg You can't JOIN US. An a
US romehber YOU, especially AT mea
time Joe 1HOMpKlNE unnNpectodl,
lost LIS WILLIE Yesterday II happen
ed An a little before SIN oastWis
before + O'CLOCK. MONT YOU icl