The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1907-10-02


men Of government agents, their in
genuity still served to prevent the
just punishment Of many other Of
tenders.
The smuggling White and Bergen |
did was confined to trunks full Of
nickel or silver plated German and
Swiss watches, English cutlery, wool
ems and tweeds. IN the aggregate
however, II may safely be yentured |
that the revenue Of the nation suffered
more through these two nen than
through the occasional SUCCESSES Of
diamond smugglers.
Inevitably 0f course as their tri
umphs increased in duration and pro
portion, the leak forced Itself upon the
notice OF the customs officers. White
and Bergen did not know this Agents
Of the treasury department IN England
and on the continent we're set to work
and eventually suspicion was fastened
upon Bergen, who was IN London en-
gagged In the wholesale purchase Of tn
bic cutlery. The two smugglers were
never abroad together, it being part
Of the system Tor one to remain at
New York
The government agents watched Ber
gen for fortnight One Of them was
never far OF when a purchase was
made, and when the object Of suspi
cion booked on a certain liner that
fact, together with a complete list Of
the dutiabIe articles IN his possession.
was cabled to Washington. The vessel
was due past Sandy Hook ON May l6.
1S0-, and the custom house inspectors
had prepared a distinguished welcome
Tor the man whom they had long re-
garded as their special bette noire
Bergen was accomplished and genial,
frequented the smoking room night
and day and was popular with card
players and the passengers IN general.
One morning when the steamer was a
few miles east Of Fire island there
came q cry from the lookout. Man IN
small boat IN distress OF the port
bow" The captain deserted man
standing up IN a small sloop, the mast
OF which was shattered and the craft
somewhat down BY the head She was
drifting to sea, and the captain signal
ed for full speed astern. altered his
course tribe and finally came near
enough to the occupant OF the sailboat
to throw him line. by which wet
and bedraggled, be was hauled to the
deck. amid the cheers OF the passen-
gers. If Bergen felt surprise as he
saw his fellow eonspirator White
sprawled on deck, he gave no lndica-
ton Of IT. In due time the ocean waif
disappeared from among the passen-
gers.
Developments were not long delayed
The liner was approaching the Sandy
Hook light vessel when Bergen. wild
Of eye. with hair disheveled and cheeks
flushed, sought the privilege Of an Inn
mediate and private interview with
the ships chief executive. He was
taken into the chart room, where, fall
ing on his knees before the captain. ht
begged him never to divulge what be
was about to tell, and then he unfoldet
a terrible plot which he had conceived
Of destroying the vessel and her pas
sengers.
He was a Fenian. be said. aud ha'
been selected by his comrades to plac,
an internal machine in the hold of thl
British vessel Cloekwork was attach
ed to the bomb. he declared, and It wa
timed to go of within twenty minutes
lie had remained firm in his deadl,
venture throughout the trip, but nov
at the crucial moment a little boy wit
whom he had played about deck an
had grown to love had swerved hin
from his purpose He said that th
bomb was contained within q hug
leather trunk. and he begged the car
tain 70 have It heaved overheard bs
fore the mechanism ticking away th
: life Of the ship should have time 70
b its work.
The captain was man Of actor
Z and before the last words were out 9
J Bergen's mouth he was on deck, sun
moning the watch to quarters
Unto the baggage room al Of you
be roared. and Jack every piece {
v baggage on deckle
The crew set to work Trunk aft'
z trunk was hauled out. while Berge
5 stood beside the captain. shiyering
excess Of emotion. Suddenly he caugl
the officer hy the arm.
'Thats itf' be cried. pointing TO 9
enormous trunk.
"Ail right " replied the captain. "No'
then. men, pointing 70 the designate
piece Of baggage. over with It, al
IN a hurry HeaTe It way Qutl Il az
part OF It hits this snip you're all del
menl Over nowH
Az the liner slid into quarantine ty
secret service agents and a dozen Gu
tom house inspectors hurried up {
ladder from the revenue cutter. Not
ing was said 70 Bergen until tho d'
kratlans Of the PASSENGERS were kia