The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-08-16
STORY OF YHE CARGO
OF MIXED PICKLES
by GEORGE

the time he was an actor in what has
since come to be known as the great
mixed pickles plot"
1t was just prior to the Spanish-Amerl-
can war. The Cuban insurgents were CIV
irg the king of Spain no end of trouble.
although the United States authorities
We're doing all In their power to observe
the neutrality laws. But in spite of ex-
IRENE precautions munitions of war con-
tinued to leave this country and We're
eventually struggled into the rebel lines.
The representative of his most Chris
tan majesty made life miserable for the
head OIL 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 the collectors of customs at the
various ports saying the violations OF the
law must be stopped at any cost. But the
Cuban filibusters continued to be as nu-
merous and as active as mosquitoes in a
Jersey swamp.
Very early in tho game Barnes got his
eye on one Captain Levi Cross, q sailor
of fortune, who was deficient In what
some persons call scruples The captain
was a man who had his ups and downs
in the word, but he was persistent and
resourceful and would never stay beaten
One morning maritime circles awoke to
find that the captain had chartered the
tramp steamer Golden Rod for the pur-
pose Oh carrying a cargo ol lOou SNuiA5 "
Jamaica. When Barnes reached his office
he learned that the vessel was already
loaded and that the ente;prising Cross had
his clearance papers. A sense of duty
prompted the chief to send an inspector
to the wharf TO make a careful examine
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 We're all stamped with the trade
mark of a we'll known firm. When the
inspector showed some skepticism about
this the captain seized a Ratchet and
pried open the top of the nearest barrel,
revealing layer after layer of symmetrical
pickles of various sizes and shapes.
In spite of this visible evidence Barnes
had the Golden Rod spotted all the time
she was in the dock. During the morn
ing the crew arrived. They We're simple
looking fellows, and there were not more
than enough of them to barely navigate
the boat. Shortly before noon Captain
Cross called for a messenger and gave
him a note to deliver. The boy had beer
conveniently provided by Barnes and as
soon as he got the letter he went direc'
to the chief inspectors office and gave i
20 him. 1t was addressed to MIR. JoEI
Polk" in care of a sailors boarding houst
not many blocks away. The chief quickly
copied the letter, which read as follows
Sorry You can't joint us. All of us re
member you, especially at meal time. Jo'
Tompkins unexpectedly lost his vile yes
terday. 1t happened at a little before
-leastwise before { o'clock. Won't YOU
tell this to John this evening, and do i
sure"
The old man hastily sealed the origina
Letter in the envelope and babe the mes
senger deliver it to the address desig
mated by CAPTAIN Cross CLANCY WATCHED
the proceedings with an unfriendly eye
Finally he unburdened his mind, reluc
family. but with q sort of defiance.
Dangerous business. isn't it, chief?"
WHAT" tapped Barnes.
"lntercept.n' peoples letters
CLANCY" said the old man solemnly
there are times when your moral sens
oNerclouds your gigantic intellect"
The blank look on the face of his as
sistant made the chief laugh.
AIS fair In war, and this is war" h
added sharply to close the discussion.
You didn't get luuch," rumble tn
faithful servitor, who had been Eermitte
to see the letter.
If that's a question I'll answer it a lit
tie later" said Earnes. But in the near
cma let no one disturb me for the mex
half hour"
He entered his private office and close
the door behind him. Clancy's min
worked slowly and there were times whe
he could not comprehend his superior, bl
what he lacked in keenness of intellect h
more than made up In loyalty to his chic
Barnes knew and appreciated this faith
1ulness, and although he occasional
twttted the faithful one he would ne
have parted company with him under an
consideration. Clancy patrolled the spae
in front Of the doorway with both ev,
alert to prevent any one from Interrupt
ing the old man. Ten, fifteen and the
fWantN min1Itac. want |,, 49,. ..;i 1p--.
remained closeted in his room. Clane
was beginning to wonder how much Ion,
er it would last when a loud shout can
from within. 1t was a cry of JOY. TT
door was thrown open and Barnes al
peared on the sill, ]beckoninp exultantlv
his faithful sentinel.
It's all right, Clancy; it's all right
exclaimed the chief. putting his arm
around the young man.
whats all right?' asked Clancy. Wi
a lamentably weak attempt at pretend.
ignorance.
The letter." cried Barnes. Get reat
to leave town with me Oh the 8 o'clos
train"
Might / ask whyw This with a 10,
of injured dignity.
Certainly" and he handed him the lie
ter. Look at that. I've underlined eve
fourth word, and the whole things
clear as daylight"
Clancy slowly spelled out the elev,
word message, which, as the chief h;
underscored it. appeared in the letter
follows:
Sorry you can't DIN us. All of l
remember you. especially AT meal tin
Joe TOMKINS unexpectedly lost
VILE yesterday. 1t happened AT a lit,
before 6-leastwise before Z O'CLOC.
Won't you tell THIS to John this EVE.
ING. and do 1t SURE"
While Clancy was still gasping f
breath over the solution of the seeming
innocent message Barnes went to I
telephone and got in communication wi
Captain Farewell. Of the United Stat
revenue cutter Albatross. Five minut
later the officer, a manly looking fello
fastened to the custom house to get
more coherent account of the case. T
alacrity and the intelligence of the ca
tain delighted the chief inspector. II
Golden Rod had already started down t
river, and as a result of the conferen
between the two men it was decided til
the Albatross should follow as soon as
was possible to get up steam.
I'VE must make another search of I
~ M