Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-11

found their quarry.
Booked under assumed name and feeling the
apparent security OF this safeguard, the young man
denied his identity and insisted that the passen-
gers who had pointed him out to the reporters
were mistaken in their identification. Rumor had
it that he was his way to the West to propose
marriage to American heress, and the lnqulsl-
tors wanted either confirmation denial of the
report from him.
Really gentlemen he sad ''vou are becom-
ing tiresome. l have reason to travel ncognito,
and think it beasly of YOU to annoy me with your
absurd questions.
As he turned on his heel his eve fell his trunks
on the top of the baggage heap on the promenade
deck and looking over his shoulder he called to the
reporters, "Oh, l say! Look at these trunks and
this handbag as he thrust the latter into the face
of one of the group around him " Here is all my
luggage with my initials it. Isn't that enough
to prove | not this mysterious fortune hunter
YOU seem to think me-:
His three trunks and handbag really bore the
initials of the name of the passenger list; but the
assertions of several passengers that the young
man was really the who had come here to eX-
change an English title for American cash caused
the reporters to cling to their original theory ana
they eventually cornered him.
A persistent flood tide held the steamer alongside
the pierhead for some twenty minutes before the
tugs could swing her round, chatter1ng crowd
on the pier shouted to friends on deck, and amid
the babble of the reporters tied note round ms
pocket knife and threw it down to fellow news
paperman he recognized in the throng. The note
read
Grab messenger boy standing to your right and give
him dollar. Put your card in envelop and address IT
to The Hon John Milton Coleridge" Stand by the kid
and him shout until all passengers are ashore
Stick to fellow who answers that name VIII explain
later pier.
The directions in the note were carried out to
the letter. and the Eng1shman, who was among
the first passengers to come ashore, walked right
into the trap.
Here boy!'' he called to the district messenger.
That letter is for me-
The press gang, close on his heels, confronted
him After admitting his identity, the chagrined
Englishman walked away, muttering something
Of
Boarding the Vessel
NEARLY all steamers of the big transatlantic
~ lines are equipped with wireless telegraph,
and from the time a steamer comes within trans
hitting range of Cape Race, Newfoundland until
she gets to Sandy Hook, her position and probable
docking hour are known A sudden storm or
thick fog may retard a steamer after reporting to
Cape Race; but the computation OF her arrival IS
verified later by wireless reports from Sable Island
and Siasconset and by marine observers at Fire
Island and Sandy Hook. The press gang go down
Quarantine from the Barge Office on the revenue
cutter about the time steamer IS passing Sandy
Hook When the liner is released by the health
officer the customs officials and reporters go aboard,
and the hunt for news begins
AS a rule little information is obtained from the
purser yet he is the first person the reporters seek
He has set of passenger lists and log cards, and
while obtaining these the reporters ask rapidly
in perfunctory fashion, Have there been any
Deaths births, marriages, or suicides on the pas
sage!' Some pursers have a stereotyped reply,
and although twenty passengers may have been
washed overheard and the Captain knocked sense
less by hitting the bridge, they answer with
a smile, Everything lovely, and not soul
seasick. The Captain is out of reach, and only a
novice would venture to the bridge to talk to him.
The chief steward is sphinx In fact, every
official lip is sealed; but out deck in the smOk
ing a hundred good Americans
independent passengers who have paid their fares
whose tongues are not locked They are the real
sources of the ship news reporter If any
thing big has happened there passengers IN
plenty to shout it from the boat deck