Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-05-31
My Lecture
on India
Il Achieved a Result Be-
yond What Was
Intended
BY DONALD cHAr1BERLIN


When we OF the wild west were be
ginning TO put on n scmicivilized garb
a similar change Of necessity came
over the outlaws we had TO deal with.
The horse stealing industry was not
as profitable ms II had been and was
better taken care Of By those who had
horses 10 lose. Wholesale robbery had
become less lucrative. since more bust
ness was done by means of checks on
banks and less with gold dust The
grub desperate was being transformed
into the butterfly confidence man.
But before he ceased 10 be desper-
ado he began TO devote himself TO con-
fidcncc games. In other words. he was
both. We had one man IN our region
who was the most dreaded OF the
many who had terroriZed us and was
at the same time the most artful swim
dler. His real name was not known.
though many of the names he used
were on record with the sheriff There
fore he acquired the sobriquet of The
Eel. He had an especial fancy for as
Stunning different characters. He once
made fine haul by personating n
capitalist out from the east looking
over the ground with view 10 estab
fishing bank. On another occasion
he represented himself as an agent OF
the postoflice department. In this he
was not so successful. for he was
caught before realizing any plumber.
But he did not hesitate 10 kill the man
who caught him. and nothing was
gained In the affair by law and order.
One day man rode into town who
said that The Eel was masqueradins
in the region through which he had
passed as n Methodist minister. When
asked how he knew the fellow was
The Eel. he said he had met the minis
ter and ut once knew him for The Eel.
whom he had seen.
had done some work as deputy
sheriff for which had been commend
ed and was asked II I would under
take the job OF going out to try and
bring In The Eel. dead or alive.
think the preference was for dead.
since alive meant trial and n posi-
bility OF the prisoners escape either
by lack OF evidence or an artful dodge.
| signiiied my assent. determining that
l would fight fire with fire. In other
words, would play part. just ms
The Eel was playing part.
I donned n black broadcloth suit and
white cravat. intending TO pass myself
of for missionary collecting funds
for the board OF foreign missions. We
had had such n man among us recent
Iy. and I succeeded In getting some
printed documents he had left behind
him. These | read carefully In order
TO be able TO talk intelligently on the
subject OF foreign missions. Mounted
on the meekest looking horse ! could
find. my saddlebags filed with the
printed matter. Dcrringer pistol slune
In each coat sleeve by an elastic cord.
| started out to find The Eel.
was obliged TO travel fifty miles be.
fore | found him. but was not dis.
pleased 10 get so far from home that
would not very likely be recognized.
Though usually wore beard. ] was
now clean shaved. | tracked The Eel
TO town that was quite civilized for
that region and found him nj work
raising funds for the ostensible pur
pose OF building a church. He had
been invited to stop with one or the
most respectable citizens and was evi.
IDENTIFY on the way to make an excellent
scoop.
inquired rs to those citizens who
were most interested In The Eel's
church building scheme and. selecting
one, Abner Smith. called upon him. In
troduced myself as James Ridgewny.
missionary In India. and. telling him
that I had come among the people OF
the town 10 raise funds for foreign mis-
sions. asked his assistance. lie re
piled that | had arrived ut an inoppor
tune time. since an effort had been
started by the Rev Mr.. Swartout. who
had also recently come to town TO build
a church suggested that Mr.. Swart
out and might possibly work togcth
er. since we were both in the same
service. and would like Mr.. Smith 10
bring us together. lie consented and
with the usual western hospitality In
yited me To be his guest during my
stay In the town.
That same afternoon was intro
dnced 10 the Rev. Mr.. Swartout. whom
| Mt once recognized rs The Eel by II
description OF him ! had secured be
fore leaving home. lie was rather
tall. sharp faced man. with black hair
which he wore quite long His eye
was steel gray. and on meeting on.
OF his own pretended calling he looked
through II with suspicion which
though not noticed by others present
was not lost ON me. But at once set
about convincing the reverend gentle
man that he had nothing 10 fear from
me. especially in his church building
enterprise. by Offering TO work with
him In his own scheme.
LET us first lay the foundation"