JHjIMK MORTIMER, 1
Editor and Proprietor. f
Vol. IV.
Ja Published Weekly,
At New Bloomfleld, Penn'a.
BY
FRANK MORTIMER.
JOHN'S CHEST,
AND
Why it was locked.
AMONG the heterogeneous crowd who
wore to bo my shipmates in the Am"
phion, I was particularly attracted to a
slender youth from one of the back coun
ties of New York State, who signed his
name on tho papers as John Morrill. He
was nearly my own age, I judged ; and
there was an air of quiet refinement about
him, strikingly in contrast with the rudo,
boisterous character of tho majority of our
associates. These last were about an aver
age of such raw material as is received ev
ery day of tho week at tho metropolis, and
shipped off to tho whaling ports to bo man
ufactured into seamen.
John was, from the first, retired and un
communicative, though less so in his inter
course with me than with any one else. He
never referred to his antecedents, though I
had givon him my whole autobiography be
fore wo had been a fortnight at sea. And
as I found him a sympathizing listener
whenevor I wanted to let my tongue run
on, I don't think I ever thought of esteem
ing him tho less for his reticence as to his
past life. I merely thought that ho must
have some good reason for wishing to con
ceal his truo history, and was too conscien
tious to invent a falso ono.
Ono of John's eccentricities I knew not
what else to call it was that ho always
kept his sea-chest locked. This is unusual
iu a whaler's forcastlo, and always subjects
tho man doing it to unploasant remarks as
implying a want of confidence in tho hon
esty of his shipmates. It is common to say
of tho man who does it, that " ho is either
a thief himself, or elso thinks tho rest of
us are thieves." But John Merrill only
blushed, without making any audible re
ply, when such cutting insinuations were
thrown out, as they occasionally were, in
his hearing. They had no effect whatever
in producing any chango in his habits.
Evon I myself could never get a peep at
his inventory. Ho was generous, even to a
fault, in respect of giving or lending little
matters ; but ho always kept his chest in
the darkest corner of our little dark, trian
gular quarters, and when he took out or
put in anything, was careful never to leave
it unlocked.
As concerned his duty, ho did not appear
to bo the stuff of which crack sailors aro
made. But ho won upon the good opinion
of the officers, even of gruff Mr. Baldwin,
our executive, tarry old Triton, whom cur
rent report declared to bo web-footed.
"I can't haze that boy," ho would say.
" "Wo must ease him in, till ho has eaten a
few barrels of salt-horso to harden his sin
ews. I could not toll why, but I don't think I
was envious of my comrado becauso tho
mate favored him in this way, whilo he
drove mo up to my utmost capacity. Both
of us were respectful and willing and tried
hard to do our duty, and a she expressed it,
"make men of ourselves." And I think I
felt rather elated to know that Mr. Bald
win discovered that there was tougher ma
terial in mo than in John Merrill, and work
ed us accordingly. It was an honor to bo
scloctod to pull tho mate's tub-oar, whilo
he was enrolled iu the rear-rank of the
"shipkoepers." And I never oomplained.
even when in reefing topsails, the old salt
would say, kindly, "Stop, down, John
Merrill, I want you to help me ;" whilo at
the next moment, ho roared at me on tho
AN INDEPENDENT FAMILY
yard, in a voice of thunder, "Lay out
tnero, you Bui, and take up that dog's ear.
What are you faring at, in tho bunt?"
V il 1 w
i wnnic i may nave assumed a patroni
zing air in my intercourse with John, in con
sequence of all this. Feeling a profession-
superiority, I could not avoid letting it
appear sometimes. But if so, he never
seemed to notice it. If there was a sudden
call, in our watch, for one of tho bova to
jump aloft and reeve studding-sail-halyards
or a loose a royal, John would start some
times, but I would gently push him back
and jump in ahead of him. I was proud
of my ability to to take the lead, and there
was gratitude, instead of indignation or
shame, in his clear, bluo eye on such occa
sions. Some of the men standing near
would perhaps intimate that he was want
ing in pluck, to let me do this. But I don't
think I ever thought so, though, of courso,
loit nattered by such remarks, as anv bov
would.
But John Merrill made sure, though slow.
progress in his duties, and his sinews hard
ened up, as Mr. Baldwin had prophesied.
Though delicate in frame, his health seom-
ea penect, and in some respects we had no
better man among us. He was alwavs
ready to take an extra trick on the lookout,
lor he seemed to like being alone where he
could commune with his own thoughts.
And ho was soon acknowledged to bo tlm
best helmsman on board. Did tho sturdy
old Amphion show a determination to car
ry her wheel an extra spoke to windward at
"full-ar.d-by,"or to make wavward sheers
and yaws when off before it, no ono could
manage her like this quiet timid youth.
Ho was always ready to take mv turn at
the helm for mo ; indeed, would have tak
en them all if I would have let him. He
could have done mo no greater favor than
tins ; tor no duty, however, laborious or
dangerous, was so irksomo to mo as
steering tho ship. To do it well, required
an abstraction of tho mind for two hours
from all other mattors, with a touch, and a
foresight, or rather forefecling, in which
John Merrill excelled, but which few rough
and tumblo sailors possess.
Mr. Baldwin used to declaro that "ho
never knew a right-down Bmart fellow who
could steer more than a fair, decent trick ;
and that ho never know an A 1 extra helms
man who was good for much elso." And,
alter an observation of many years, I think
his statement was not far from the truth.
Wo made our first port at Talcahuano
after doubling Capo Horn, and here John
and I, being in tho same watch, were much
together on shore. But ho would nover
stay after dark, and appeared utterlv insen
sible to tho fascinations of tho Chillian bru
nettes. Ho would drink no liquor, and his
example, in this respect, had a good effect
upon myself.
Wo sailed for a cruise oil tho coast of
Peru, after a short stay in port. Among
tno men snipped to fill vacancies, was ono
known as "California Tom," a fellow of
unbounded assurance and infinite 'gas,' to
whom John and I both took an instinctivo
aversion at first acquaintance. But ho
found somo congenial spirits on board tho
Amphion, as such fellows will in a ny ship
where they may cast their fortunes.
We had not boon long at sea before' it ap
peared that wo had somo one iu our circle
who disdained tho nice little distinctions of
meum and teum. Several artieles had
been mysteriously missed by different par
ties, and complaints were loud and clamor
ous.
A ship's forcastlo is as unfit a place for i
thief as ho can well find his way into. Ai
much uneasiness is caused by his presouce;
as by tho knowledge that a powder maga
zine is located somewhere under tho deck
without knowing exactly whore. Woo to
mm u no is caught ; for though Jack's
standard of morality is, in manv respects.
no higher than it ought to bo, ho has no
mercy lor a piltonng shipmate, ne has, il
may be said, one code of morals to regu
late his dealings with his own comrades,
Now Bloomnold, IPa., November 22, 1870.
and another much more elastic, for the
great barbarian world outside.
We became a very unhappy family after
this discovery, for, of course, all mutual
confidence was lost, until it should appear
who the offender was. No one was exempt
from suspicion ; though the weight of it
was equally divided between California
Tom and my demure friend John Merrill.
Each had his friends, who believed the
other guilty, but while the boy modostly re
frained from saying anything about it,
lom did not scruple to head his own party.
It s easy enough to see who the thief
is," I hoard him say ono night as he occu
pied the centre of a little knot of his
croneis. "It's that sleek-faced little
hypocrite that is at the wheel now."
" Of courso 'tis," said Derby, ono of the
congenials.' "Its enough to condemn
any fellow to know that ho keeps his don
key always locked."
" What business has one man to be al
lowed to lock his donkey, anyhow?" de
manded 1 om, loud enough now for all to
hear. " I say, let's go and kick tho lid
open and see what's in it."
"Sit right down!" said Frank Wight-
man, from our side of tho house , for Tom
had risen as if to carry his suggestion into
effect. "Don't undertake anything of tho
kind. John Merrill isn't here to sneak for
himself, and no man shall break his chest
open whilo I'm by to pi-event it."
" Don't you want to find out who the
thief is?" asked Derby.
" Of courso I do ; and I don't think I
should have to go far to do that. If there's
to bo a general search of chests and bunks,
I'm ready to agree to it at any time ; and
perhaps tho boy would bo willing to open
his, in such a case. But I say it shan't bo
kicked open in his absence."
" It's plain enough that he's tho guilty
one," said Tom, "when his chest is the
only one locked, and "
"I don't know about that!" retorted
Frank, with a significant look. "A thief
may find other places for his plunder be
sides in his chest. Indeed, if he's an old
liand at it, ho would bo likely to."
This homo-thrust put an end to tho dis
cussion for tho moment ; for Tom as well
as Derby and the rest of his gang, were
afraid of Wightman, who 'alono was a
match for any two of them. But when
John was relieved from tho wheel, wo told
him what had occurred, and how suspicion
was thickening upon him. Frank asked
nun, u lio were willing to open his chest
and let us all have a look at its contents.
"No," said ho, quietly, "lam not wil
ling." "But why not, if you are innocent?"
" I cannot say why not, but I can assure
you that I know nothing about tho stolen
things. You must either take my word
for it, or, if a general search is determined
upon, open my chest by force, for I shall
not consent to have it done."
" I believe what you say, John," said
x rank-, and so does BUI, here, that you aro
entirely innocent. But there aro manv
who don't, and there will bo still more, if
you don't satisfy thorn. Perhaps if vou
would let me, alone, ovorhaul it, or Bill, if
that would suit you bettor, eh?"
" No," I cannot show tho contents of it,
even to Bill. If tho matter is messed hard
I shall appeal to tho old man for protection
though I don't know as that would do
any good."
"None at all," said Wightman and I,
both at once.
" What would ho do, do you think ?"
" Exerciso his authority, and demand tho
Key at once, or open it by forco. Ho lias
neara about tno thefts, as you know; and
heard him toll Mr. Baldwin that, if anoth.
cr case was reported, ho should mako t
general search, and flog the thief, if he
could bo found." The boy rested his face
upon his hands in thought, but made no
answer.
" Never mind, John," said Wightman
"don't fret about it. No harm shall come
to you anyhow. I'm satisfied of your truth
NEWSPAPER.
and if you still decline to show your things
. A. 111 - f 1 1 . . , V
juu Bunu t u iorcea to, at least Dy anybody
in this end of the ship. But think this
matter over, and nprTinna trh-Tnmnvur wi-m'll
feel differently about it. I've no idle curi
osity, myself, to want to know your secret;
but I would like to satisfy others, who
haven't thn nmn tranfc in '
that I have." b J
That night in tho middle watch, I was
awakened hw a. clfnTif ii;Vb-:mn a
uiifjuv viiiviiiu aividU) auu
saw California Tom, by the dim light of
the hanrrillcr lnmn ofonlfT.i'lv
chest with a key. J ohn, himself, as well as
fill tfm vntit- P . 1.-1 1 ,
j t. mjr wabuu, was Bleeping
soundlv : k T
key where it could bo found. It was al
ways aoouc nis person, night and day.
Tom must have found a duplicate key to
fit the chest.
I was about to speak and give the alarm
to Wightham and others ; but on second
thought, determined tft Waif: a. mnmnnt nnrl
see tho result. Tom had a bundle in one
hand, which appeared to bo a new flannel
shirt, and as the lnnfc flow
j. v IT Vjvu W IMOVf tiu
lost no time in looking into tho chest, but
jtuouvu in mo uuuuiu, ruiocKea n ana wont
on deck.
I considered the matter, and determined
to tell Frank Wiehtmsin toIuVVi T li,l na
O , ' ' A V Al-fc f,0
soon as our. watch turned out.
"Don't toll Jnhn
hope he wont open his chest and discover
ii. , xvi x want 10 see wnat kind of a plot is
hatching."
John Merrill had tho morning mast-head,
and went up to his post at daylight, with
out having had OfiCnsifin tn Innb- Infn liia
chest. Tom was un and Rt. irriiitr nruin af
terwards an unusual proceeding for him
ia a morning watch off duty and headed
vu. vipiam oouio as soon as no mado his
appearance above deck.
Presentlv tho orrlnr
hands, and mnstm ilmm m n, np
, vuaj.i M;i VUW VI LiLLU
mates was sent into the forcastlo to see that
no one lingered, and to have all the men's
wits and effects rmiKprl nr, ti.n n,vi,- p
day. Tho captain was evidontly in a tow-
fll'l 11 If 1"! I Tit f 111 ImtnJ 1 1 111
v""6 " iiu jjussuu nguiiy over
several previous rnnnia r,f iwo imninm
the matter would bo adjusted without his
miciiuieiicu. rmx, ioin nad lost a now
shirt during the night, and Captain Soulo
had lost his patience.
" I'll find it if it's insido tho ship !" said
ho ; "and I'll flog tho man that stole it."
Several chests and bags had been emp
tied of their contents in tho presenco of us
all ; for John had been called down from
aloft, and Stood, t.linunrlltfiil n,ifl ilfoln.l
at my side. When the captain como to
" Whose is this ?" he demanded.
"Mine, sir," spoke up tho lad.
" Gi' me your key !"
"If you'll excuse mo, sir, I would like to
speak a word with you, by ourselves, sir,
if you please."
But tho captain was not in a humor to
listen to any remonsfcr.mr.o n. that. nininf.n.
" Let me get through with this cursed
liiicnilnaa lr,.a T 4-nll. ..M. i . T -r .
uuu.uv.ua UVIVID X LUUV Willi UliyUOCiy I AC
doesn't look well, anyhow, that you keep
your chest locked up 1"
He swung back his heavy boot as ho
spoko, and with a single , kick under the
projecting edge of tho lid it flew open.
"There's my shirt!" exclaimed Tom,
seizing tho bundle that lay on top. Ho
shook it open, showed his marks, and it
was at onco identified beyond all dispute.
" Enough said I We're on tho right
track, now," said Captain Soulo. "Take
up this chest and carry it aft !" And ho
closed the lid with a bang.
"Mr. Baldwin," ho continued, "strip
John Merrill.s back, and seizehimup ! It's
a new thing for mo to flog ono of my mon
a thing 1 nover did but I've sworn it in
this caso, and I'll keep my word."
The poor boy, overwhelmed with confu
sion, could hardly find a word to protest his
innocence, as tho mate led him aft. But
Frank Wightman at this moment neared
tho cantaiii resiiGctfnll
- a j j wuvuvu uim
gently on tho shoulder. A word was spo
ken ! tllfl n.llltnin vnlnvnrl ln'a ,i..., 1,
' i 1114 iiiijr uiuwb
to listen to it, for AVightman was tho best
....... : . . il. r 1 1 m. . ....
uiu.il iu i.uo iuiuusuu. j. ue two walked alt
together, conversing earnestly. I kopt my
vyo on inuin, iiii rranK made a signal,
which I understood, when I followed.
"Mr. Derrick," said the captain to tho
second mate, "keep everything as it stands,
with tho chests forward. Don't allow a
man tO tOUch a thinf. till fnvtlmr m-rlnvo
He beckoned Wightman and mvKplf in
como below. But as ho did not counter
mand tbe orders he had given about seizing
John up, tho mate, it seems, proceedod to
obey them. Ho prepared tho seizings, but
wueii no uruoreu uie.uoy to remove his
shirt, ho met with unexpected resistance.
While I wan rnl.it.iiir tn (Inntnin 0,.,l
tl " " vt.m. uuuiUf 1U
the forward cabin, what I had seen during
uie mmuie waton, tnero was a scuffle over
our heads, and .Tnlin 'MT.i-rill in f,.n.,, ,.e
r --...., i. iiuukj vi
excitement, rushed down the stairs and
into mo aitor cabin. " Hold on, Mr. Bald
; Terms t IN ADVANCE
One Dollar per Year,
TVo. 47.
win ! Never mind what I told vou. for
tho present." And the captain followed
the boy into the sanctum, while we await
ed the result. In a minute afterwards ho
put his head out at the door, with th
strangest look on his face that I had ever
seen mortal man wear.
" Wightman I you and Bill, nasa John
Merrill's chest down the stairs, right into
this room."
We obeyed the order, and set our burden.
down at his feet. But the lad was not to
bo seen as wo looked about us.
" That'll do. You can go on deck, now :
I'll talk with you again, soon." And the
door was closed between us and the mys
tery.
It was half an hour before Captain Soule
came up, and ordered the search continued.
W hen he came to Tom's chest, he over
hauled it very carefully ; but it was, appar
ently, emptied to the bottom, without find
ing any stolen property. But, still unsatis
fied, ho stood it up on end, thumped it
heavily, and threw it bottom up. A false
bottom was dislodged and foil out, followed
by various missing articles.
A general cry of indignation'was raised,
and a strong disposition was manifested to
lynch California Tom. But Mr. Baldwin
took upon himself tho office of execution- '
er, this time with a good will.
"I always felt it in my bones that John
Morrill was innocent," said ho to Captain
Soulo : " and when it came to stripping his
shirt, I hadn't, somehow, any heart to do
it."
" I'm glad you didn't succeed in doing
it," was the reply. " I couldn't have flog
ged him if ho had been guilty ; nor could
you cither."
"How so, sir 1"
"Do you think you could lay the cat on
the back of a woman?"
That comical look of tho captain's was
reflected, nay multiplied, tenfold, iu tho
rough faco of tho old mate.
"Awoman?" he gasped out, "John
Merrill?"
"Ay, a woman, Mr. Baldwin. Annie" ff
Carroll is her name, now."
" But what aro you going to do with him,
sir?"
"Do with him? With her, you mean;
put him or put her, or it, ashore, of course,
as soon as I make a port. Wo must givo
her a state-room, in tho cabin, and have her
to wear such a dress as belongs to her sex."
"Well well " said Mr. Baldwin, re
flectively ; " I never had anything to bring
mo up with a round-turn like that." Then
a bright idea seemed to have struck him,
and he demanded triumphantly, " Where1 1
your clothes to dress her in"
"She's got all her dry goods in her chest
ready to wear."
"What? In John Merrills chest, do
you mean?"
" Of courso. Whoso else should I mean?
That's why he she, I mean always kept
it locked ; and was so secret about it."
I shall not spend timo to toll -how wo
talked tho matter over in tho forecastle
that night, and compared notes, and went
back to every littlo incident of tho outward
passage, that might bo supposed to have
any bearing upon this astounding discov
ery. Of course, there were those ready to
say they had guessed tho truth months ago;
but I venture to say, that not a man on
board the Amphion had tho slightest suspi
cion of tho truth, until it was revealed to
Captain Soulo, as Ihavo related. And how
much longer wo might have been in tho
dark, but for tho attempt to flog her, it is
difficult to say.
John Monill stood no more watches on
board tho Amphion, nor went to the mast
head. But Annie Carroll, a beautiful young
lady, save that she wore her hair rather too
much au garcon, sometimes steered a trick
at the wheel when she felt in tho humor,
until our arrival nt Calloa, where she be
came, when her story was known, tho he
roine, the lioness of tho hour. A passage
homo was seoured for hor ; and sho took
leave of us all, with no desire, as she con
fessed, to follow any further tho profession
of a sailor.
It was tho old, old stoiy. An orphan, a
harsh, guardian, and on attempt to force
her into a marriage with ono she disliked.
A madcap scheme, in which sho had em
barked from a wayward impulse, and per
sistod in because sho hardly knew how or
when to retreat. . And we were forced to
admit, when we reviewed all tho circuinstan
ces, that she had nobly sustained the doub-'
le character, and had preserved all tho
finer attributes of her sex, whilo sho laid
aside its apparel.
And will it bo wondored that sho Itjyher
heart whilo on board tho Amphion? Not
to ine j for of courso, I was but a boy iu
her eyes. But when I last saw John Mer
rill, he was Mrs. Captain AVightman, and
still claimed tobe.if not tho boldest seaman;
the best helmsman, at loast, of the family
circle.
it