Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1913-09-11
. Wild Goose Chase.


Last Monday James M. Myers, the vii
lage blacksmith, concluded to have his
Sunday suit OF clothes pressed, and so
notified that prince OF pressers, Mack
Hopewell. Mack being busy athis shoe
shining emporium and pressing palace,
sent a colored youth by the name CT
Dick Keys for the clothes. The suit was
delivered to him by Mrs. Owens. who
took the precaution to remove from the
pockets Mr.. Myers gold watch and his
best spectacles. The clothes were duly
delivered at Mr.. Hopewell's place OF bus
mess, and Mack rewarded Dick for the
GRAND by giving him his fourth-best
necktie. Dick having planned for trip
to Hancock by way of the canal. crossed
the river and arranged to work his way
by helping to sail Richard Stephens
speedy canalboat. Later in the evening
Mr.. Myers got his clothes, but naturally
the watch was not in its accustomed pock-
ct. He jumped to the hasty conclusion
that Keys had swiped it, and hurried be-
fore Magistrate Miller and swore out a
warrant charging him with theft. Con-
stable Shipley interviewed locktender
Hebb, who told him that the boat was
blowing its way toward Williamsport
and would reach that harbor by midnight.
Sergeant Shipley, in order to beat him to
port, took a fast train for Hagerstown, &C
companied by Hopwell, who was deter
mined to have the honor of his place of
business vindicated. At Hagerstown
they secured the services of Deputy
Sheriff Long, and moved on to Williams
port as fast as electricity would carry
them. They got TO the canal lock before
midnight, and began their vigil with un-
sleeping eyes. They expected every
minute that the boat would heave in
sight, but il didn't, for the very good
reason that it had tied up for the night
few miles above Shepherdstown Ser
geant Shipley blames "Oker" Hebb for
this. II was weary wait lying along
the lock-it was also very cold. Mack
HopeWell'S teeth chartered sufficiently
loud to keep all hands awake, and his
suffering entertained the Maryland Off
Ger, who had never heard Mack's equal
in this respect. They had fright about
2.30 a. m, when black calf with un-
usually large eyes suddenly looked over
a log and bawled in Mack's face. He at
first thought it was the devil, or at least
bear, and swooned away, and nearly
half pint OF liquor was required to restore
him.
Soon after daylight the lock-keeper
and his wife appeared, and the officers
begged that they might warm themselves
at the kitchen fire, saying that they would
have asked the favor sooner but they
didn't wish TO awaken anyone. ooh,
WE'LL" said the lock keeper" you
wouldn't have awakened us-we've been
up watching you all night" Mr.. and
Mrs. Lock-keeper had seen the three
suspicious-looking men, and, fearing that
they might mean mischief, had sat up all
night to keep an eye on them-with a
shotgun handy. Still no boat in sight.
About 10 O'Clock the PROV of boat was
seen down the canal, and Sergeant Ship
ley went to investigate, but was unfortu-
nately freed by couple of big dogs that
accompanied it. When they finally passed
on he borrowed telescope and from a
safe place patiently gazed down the river.
AT II o'clock three mules and boy ap-
peared. Through the telescope the Ser
geant recognized Dick. With the deputy
sheriff and Mack acting as thanking parties,
he hid in the bushes until the colored
boy approached, unconscious of his dan
ger, addressing the usual remarks to the
gentle mules. Sergeant Shipley pouDced
upon Dick so that he might not throw
the watch in the canal, so sudden being
the attack that the boys yellow hue
turned sickly gray. When told of the
charge against him he denied taking the
watch and told the simple truth about
the matter. But the officers have learned
not to believe all they hear, and they
took their prisoner to Hagerstown, where
he was held until the o'clock train. AT
$50 Sergeant Shipley, having been on
the job sleeplessly for about "a hours,
arrived in town with his prisoner. The
first news he heard was that the watch
had never been lost and was safe in the
possession of its owner.
We dare not print what he said.
Question: Who pays the bills ?
q