The Montrose Democrat. (Montrose, Pa.) 1849-1876, May 03, 1871, Image 1

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    THE - . MONTROE
E. B. IIaWLEY, Proprietor.
gusting; garb.
Da. D. A. LATROP,
Her opened an office, at the tont of Chestnut street, near
the Catholic Church, where ho ow be ecetsulted at all
time.
Hoerr:we. April WI, 18ri. 17
CROSSMON & BALDWIN,
ATTORNEYS AT LAW.—Waco °Ter the store of Wm
J. Mulford, on Public Avenue, Montrose Pe.
W. N. Cnosszos. B. L. Beranna.
Montrose, Mamb 1, 1871. If.
J. D. TAIL,
BOXIDPATEIC PIITIIICIAN AND 8II1101:01. Hu permanently
located himself In Montrose, Pa., where he will prompt
ly attend to all calls In hts profession with which he may
bs favored. °Mee and residence west of the Court
House, near Fitch & Watson's office.
Montrose, February 8,1871.
LAW OFFICE*
FITCH 4WATSON, Attorneys et Law, at the old &Zee
of Bentley IC Fitch, Montrose, Pa,
L. P. ETTGLL Vim 11, 'll.[ w. W. WATSON.
CHARLES N. STODDARD.
Dealer In Boots and Shoal', Hats and Cape. Leather and
Findings, Ital. Street, Ist door below Bold's Store.
Wort made to order, and repairing done neatly.
ldoutrose. Jan. 1, 1870.
LITTLES & BLAKESLEE,
Attorneys and Counsellors et La.. Office the one
heretofore occupied by B. B. & G. P. Little, on Mate
street, Montrose, Pa. [April M.
IL a. LISTLZ. GEO. P. LITTLIL I. L. BULL= LT.&
E. Mcßisers. C. C. Farm?, W. II Dream
McKENZIE, FAVROT & CO.
Dealers In Dry Goods, Clothing, Ladies and Misses
gas Shoes. Use, agents for the great American
Tea and Coffee Company. [Montrose. Pa., ep. 1,10,
LEWIS KNOLL,
SHAVING AND HAIR DRESSING.
Sbop to the new Postofflee building, where he will
be found ready to attend all who may went anything
In his lino. Montrdle. Pa. Oet. 13, ISO.
P. REYNOLDS,
AUCTIONS ER--SellsDry Goods, and Iderchantse—also
attends at Vendries. All orders left at my bons. will
receive prompt attention. [Ott. 1, 11369—tf
0. M. HAWLEY,
DEALER in DRY GOODS, GROCERIES, CROCKERY
Ilazdware, Bats, Cape, Boota,Shoes Ready Made Cloth
ing, Paints, Oils, etc., New Milford, Pa. [Sept. 13, '69.
DR. S. W. DAYTON,
PHYSICIAN & SURGEON, tender* hie aerricer to
the eitieens of Great Rend and vicinity. 01See at his
residence, opposite Barnum House, O't. Bend village.
Sept. let, laso.— If
LAW OFFICE.
CHANDERLTS B IitoCOLLUM. Attorney. and Conn
pellors at Law. Office In the Brick Block over the
Bank. [Montrose Avg. 4.111119.
A. Cnazszsus. . - J. D. blcCos.i.vat.
A. & D. R. LATHROP,
DEALERS in Dry Goods. Groceries,
crockery and glassware, table and pocket cutlery.
Paints. oils, dye stuffs. Bats. hoots and shoes. bole
leather. Perfumery de. Brick Block. adjoining the
Dank, Montrose. [August U.
A. LASHBOT, - • - D. R. LAULSOP.
A. 0. WARREN,
ATTORNEY A. LAW. Bounty. Bock Pa Pension
and Mem on Claims attended to. y M are d
oor below Boyd's Store, Ilontrose.Pa. [An. 1,139
M. C. SUTTON,
Auctioneer,. and Insurance Agent,
ant Gqtf Frteadevilla, Pa.
C. S. GILBERT,
.96.1.a.cticassegfor.
Great. Bend, Pa
17. Ell.
angl Ott
AYI 1 ELY,
Q. B. .A.u.crticsameger.
dor, I, ISO. Address, Brooklyn, Pa
JOHN GROVES,
F ASITIONABLE TA11.311, Montrose, Pa. Shop over
Chandler's Store. AP orders ailed In first-rate style.
vatting done on short notice. and warranted to at.
W. W. SMITH,
C IDINET AND CDAIR MANUPACTURRRS.—ton
of Nein street, Montrose, PA. Jan. I. IBA.
IL BURRITT,
DEALER In Staple and Fancy Dry Goode, Crocker.%
Hardware, Iron, Stoves, Drn gi, Oils, and Paints
Roots and Shoe.. Flats it Caps. Fors, Buffalo Robe*
Grocerles.Provlsions.c:e., New Milford. Pa.
DR. E. P. HIKES,
Ilas permanently located at Pliendivtlle for the par
point arpraetleing medlelne and Burger? In all Its
branches. Ile may be found at the Jackson Boum.
Office boars from 8 a. m., to 8. p. m.
Prlendsville, Pa.., Aug, 1. IWO.
STROUD do BROWN,
FINE AND LIFE INVJAANCE AGENTS. Ar
Madness attended to promptly, on fair tenall. Mee
first door north of . Montrose Hotel," wen side o ,
rotate Avenue, Montrose, Pa. [Ang. 1.1669.
BILIXEII2I Suwon. thassits L. Itzoirst
IVILI. D. LUSK,
ATTORNEY AT LAW, Montrose. Pa. °Mee oppo.
site the Tarbell House, near the Court Masse.
Ant. 1. 1869.—tf
ABEL TERRELL,
DEALER In Drum Patera Medicines, Chemicate
Liquors. Paints, 0113,Dye Stuff.. Varnishes, Win w
Glass, Groceries, Glaris Ware, Wail and Window Ps,
per, Stone-ware, Lamps, Kerosene, Machinery
Trusses, Grata, Ammunition, Knives. Spectacle.
lactase., Fancy Goods, Jewelry, Perth -Ty, de.—
being }one orate most numerous. extensive, and
valuable collections of Goods in Susquehanna Co.—
Estaitilshed in 1848. [Montrose, Pa.
D. W. SEARLE,
ATTE/MAZY AT LAW. office over the Store of A.
Lathrop. in the Brick Block, Montrose, Pa. [anT69
DR. W. L. RICILIRDSON,
PHYSICIAN & SURGEON. tenders hie professions
services to the citizens of Montrose and vicinity.—
Office at his residence, on the corner cast of Sayre &
Bros. Foundry. [Aug. 1, 18E3.
DR. E. L. GARDNER;
PHYSICIAN and SURGEON, Montrose. Pa. Gives
especial attention to diseases of the Heart and
Lunge and all Surgical diseases. Office over W. B.
Dean.. Boards at Searles Hotel. [Ang.l. ISH9.
BURNS & NICHOLS,
DEA oltEl to Drum Idedlclnes. Chemicals, Dye
suns, Paints, 011 s, Varnish, Liqaors, Spices. Fancy
rt.cies. Patent Medicines, Perfumery and Toilet r
do es. gar—Prescriptions carefully eom pounded.—
Pnolle Avenue, above bearle's hotel, Montrose, Pe
A. B. Benno, - • AM°, Means.
Avg. 1, 11169.
DR. E. L. NIA.ISDRICIC,
PHYSICIAN in SURGEON, respectfully tenders M.
professional services to the citizen of Prlendmille
and skinny. (Office Inas° office of Dr. Lest.—
Boards at Uosford's. Ang.laSßD.
PROF. MORRIS,
The !tarn Natter, returns Ids thanks for the kLud
gfthat barn enabled Win to get the best feet--Es t
i s i l hav'nt time to tell the whole story. but come
and 'teeter younseres orat the Old Stand. No loud
laughing allowed In the shop. tdOrli 1 3. 11179,
H UNT BROTHERS,
SCRANTON, PA.
WhoSeale A patsll Dagen In
HARDWARE, IRON, STEEL,
• NAILS, SPIKES, SHOVELS,
HIIILDER'S HARDWARE,
Rime BAIL. COUN TARSUS'S RAIZ SpIEN.9
ILLILBOAD SI NOTING BOPPLINS.
pARRIAGIN SP.SING6 AIM?, BEMS AND
pan. P LATED 11778 and WASHERS,
rump BANDS. NALLIABLB
IRONS. HUNS. SPOKES.
PELLOBS.. SEAT 811.SDLBS: BOWS. Ae.,
lrirLLS; VICES. STOCKS and DIES. BELLOWS
BLED ES. FILES &e. &e.
CIECULAB AND NILLSA WS, BOLTING, PACKING
TACKLE BLOCKS. Pl. 53 FARIS
CEMENT. RALE & G WONRS.
PREECE WINDOW GLASS.LEATHEIta STEDIEGE
PAIRBANK'S SCALES.
erantAn. Marcb so. toll 3. I •
Agricultural-College, of ' , cruelhank.
TEES INSTITUTION will reopen for the
SPRING TERM OF 24 WRENS,
On Friday, February /0, 1871.
For g ea.l Circular, catalogue .and other In.
formation: Address.
THOS. - & BURHOWS,Preddent,
Agricultural College; F. 0.,
Jan. 15, 1870.—tE Centre Co., Pa.
fott's Comer.
Betsey . and I Are Out.
Draw up the papers, lawyer, and make 'em good
and stout;
For thingi at home are moss-ways, and Betsey
and I are opt.
We who have worked together so long as man
and wife,
Must pull in single harness the rest of our nat'ral
life.
" What's the matter ?" say you. I swan it's
bard to tell
Moat of the years behind us we've passed by
very well;
I have no other woman—she has no other mar,
Only we've lived together as long as ever we can.
So rve talked with Betsey, and Betsey's talked
with me;
Bo we've agreed together that we can't never
agree•
Not tha i t we re caught each other In any terri
ble crime;
We've been gatherin' this for years, a Milo at a
time.
There was a stock of temper we both had for a
start;
Although we ne'er suspected 'twould take us
two apart:
I had my various failings, Mod In the flesh and
bone,
And Betsey, like all good women, bad a temper
of her own.
The first thing I remember whereon we disa-
Wu so gr m e eeth d
in' concearning heaven—a difference
in our creed.
We arg'ed the thing at breakfast—we arg'ed the
thing at tea—
And the more we arg'ed the quesition, the more
we didn't agree.
And the next that I remember was when we
lost a cow ;
She had kicked the bucket, certain—the question
was only—bow t
I held my own opinion, and Betsey another
had;
And when we were done a talkin', we both of
as was mad.
And the next that I remember, it started in a
joke;
But full for a week It lasted, and neither of us
spoke.
And the next was when I scolded bemuse she
broke a bowl ;
And she said I was mean and stingy, and hadn't
any soul.
And so that bowl kept pourin' dissensions in our
cup;
And so that blamdd cow-critter was always
cumin' up;
And so that heaven we arg'ed no nearer to us
got:
But it give us a taste of somethin' a thousand
times as hot.
And so the thing kept workin', and all the self
same way ;
Always somethin' to erg's, and somethin' sharp
to say.
And down on ns come the neighbors, a couple
dozen strong,
And lent their kindest aardce for to help the
thing along.
And there has been days together—and many a
weary week—
We was both of es cross and spunky, and both
too proud to speak.
And I hnve been thinkin' and %Makin' the whole
of the winter and fdl,
If I can't live kind with a woman, why, then I
won't at aIL
And so I have talked with Betsey, and Betsey
has talked with me,
And we have agreed together that we can't never
agree;
And what is hers shall be hem, and what is mine
shall be mine;
And rit put it in the agreement, and take It to
' her to sign.
Write on the paper, lawyer—the very first par-
Of all all the farm and lire stock, that she shall
have her halt
For she has helped to earn It, through many a
weary day,
And it's nothing more than justice that Betsey
has her pay.
Give her the house and homestead ; a man out
thrive and roam,
But women are akeery critters, unless they have
a home.
And I have always determined, and never Galled
to say.
That Betsey never abonld want a home, If I was
taken away.
There Is a little hard money that's drawin, tor-
cable pay ;
A couple of hundred dollars laid by for a rainy
• day;
Safe in the hands of good men, and easy to get
at;
Put in another clatuit,' there, and give her half
of that.
Yes, I see you smile, sir, at my givin' her so
much;
Yes, divorce Is cheap, sir, but I take no stock In
such,
True and fair I married her, when she was blithe
and young;
And Betsey was araya good to me, exceptin'
with her tongue.
Once, when I was young as yon, and not so
smart perhaps.
For me she mlttened a lawyer, and several oth
er chaps ;
And all of 'em was flustered and fairly taken
down,
And I fora time was counted the luckiest man in
town.
Once when I had a fever—l won't forget It
soon—
I was hot ms a basted turkey and crazy as
a loon—
Never an hour went by when she was out of
sight;
She tamed me true and tender, and stuck to me
day and night,
And if ever a horse was tidy, and ever a kitch
en clean,
Her house and kitchen was tidy as any I ever
seen ;
And I don't complain of Betsey or any of her
acts,
Eaceptin' when wdve quarreled and told each
other facts
So draw up the paper, lawyer; and I'll go home
tonight,
And read the agreement to her and see if It's all
right,
And then in the moral' 171 to a tradln' man
I know—
And Idea the child that was left to us, and out in
the world I'll go.
And one Ihtag put in the paper, that first to me
occur
That when I am dead at last she obeli bring me
back to her;
And by me under the maples I planted years
When af►e'end I wim happy, before we quarrel.
ed so.
And when she dies. I erlsh that she would be
A urtZeZl In idiom Peeks? , .we will
And if= Li meet ha mn,lwooldn' thint
de
If we j arakeh othei the hetter beestwe we
quarrelled here.--(lanyros—Nedo Blade.
i
~: .
moNtßogg, PA., WEDNESDAY` MAY 3, ' 1871.
PO cellancouo.
JOHN MERRILL'S SECRET.
Among the heterogenous crowd who
were to be my shipmates in the Amphion,
I wsi particularly attracted to a slender
loath from one of the back counties of
New York State, who signed his name
on the papers as John Merrill. lie was
nearly my own age, I judged : and there
was an air of quiet refinement about him,
strikingly in contrast with the rude,
boisterous character of the majority of
our associates. These last were about an
average of such raw material as it recruit
ei every day of the week at the metropolis,
and shipped off to the whaling ports, to
be manufactured into seamen.
Jahn was, from the first, 'retired and
uncommunicative, though less so in his
intercourse with me than any one else.
He never referred to his antecedents,
thoughAl had given him my whole antod
graphy before we had been a fortnight vat
sea. And as I found him a sympathizing
listener whenever I wanted to let my
tongue run on, I don't think I ever
thought of esteeming him the less for his
reticence as to my past life. I merely
thought that he must have some good
reason for wishing to conceal his true
history, and was too conscientious to in
vent a false one.
One of John's eccentricities—l knew
not what else to call it—was that he al
ways kept his sea chest locked. This is
unusual in a whaler's forecastle, and al
ways subjects the man doing it to unpleas
ant remarks, as employing a want of con
fidence in the honesty of his shipmates.
It is common to say of the man who does
it, that "he is either a thief himself, or
else thinks the rest of us are thieves."
But John Merrill only blushed, without
making any audible reply, when such cut
ting insinuations were thrown out, as
they occasionally were, in his hearing.
They had no effect whatever in producing
any change in his habits. Even I myself
could never get a peep at his inventory.
He was generous, even to a fault, in re
spect to giving or lending little matters;
but he always kept his chest in the dark
est corner of our little, dark, triangular
quarters, and when he took out or put in
anything, was careful never to leave it
unlocked.
As concerned his duty, he did not ap
pear to be the stuff of which crack sailors
are made. But he won upon the good
opinion of the officers, even of gruff Mr.
Baldwin, our executive, a tarry old. Triton,
whom current report declared to be web
footed.
I can't haze that boy," he xvonld say.
"We must ease him, till he has eaten a
few barrels of salt horse to harden his
sinews."
I could not tell why, but I don't think
I was ever envious of my comrade because
the mate favored him in this way, while
he drove me up to my utmost capacity.
Both of us were respectful and willing,
and tried hard to do our duty, and as he
expressed it, "make men Of ourselves."
Aud I think I felt rather elated to know
that Mr. Baldiin discovered that there
was tougher material in me than John
Merrill, and worked us accordingly. It
was an honor to be elected to pull the
mate's tub-oar, while he was enrolled in
the rear rank of the "ship-keepers." And
I never complained, even when, in reef
ing topsails, the old salt would say kindly,
"Step down, John Merrill, I want you to
help me ;" while at the next moment, he
roared at me on the yard in a voice of
thunder, "Lay out there, you Bill, and
take up that dog's-ear.
1 think I may have assumed a patroniz
ing air in my intercourse with John, iu
consequence of all this. Feeling a pro
fessional 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
the boys to jump aloft and reef studding
sail halyards, or loose a royal, John would
start sometimes, but I would gently push
him back and jump in ahead of him.
I was proud of my ability to take the
lead, and there was gratitude instead of
indignation or shame in his clear, blue
eye on such occasions. Some of the men
standing near would perhaps intimate
that he was wanting in pluck to let me
do this. But I don t think I ever thought
so, though of course I felt flattered by
such remarks; as any boy would.
But John -Merrill made sure, though
slow, progress iu his duties, and his sinews
hardened up, as Mr. Baldwin had prophesi
ed. Though delicate in frame, his health
seemed perfect, and in some respects we
had no better man among us. He was
always ready to take an extra trick on the
lookout, for he seemed to like being alone
where he could commune with his own
thdughts. And he was soon acknowledg
ed to be the best helmsman on board.
Did the sturdy old Amphion show a de
termination to carry her wheel an extra
spoke to the windward at "full-and-by,"
or to make wayward sheers and yaws
when off before it, no one could manage
her like this quiet, timid youth.
He was always ready to take my turn
at the helm for me ; indeed, would have
taken them all if I would have let him.
Ho could have done me no greater favor
than this; for no duty, however laborious
or dangerous, was so irksome to me as
steering the ship. To do it well, required
an abstraction of the mind for two - hours
from all other matters, with a touch mid
a kiiik of forethought, or rather fore-feel
ing, in which John Merrill excelled but
which few rough-and-tumble sailors pos
sess.
Mr. Baldwin used to declare that "he
never knew' a right-down smart fellow
who could steer more than a fair, decent
trick; and that be never knew an A one
extra helmsman who was good for much
else." And, after an observation of many
years, I think his statement was not far
from the truth.
We made our first port at Talcahauno
after doubling Cape Horn, and John and
I, being in the same- watch, were much
together on shore. But ho would never
stay after dark, and appeared utterly in
sensible to the fascinations of the Chilian
brunettes. He would drink no liquor,
and his example, in ' this respect, had
good effect upon myself.
We sailed for a cruise on the coast of
Peru, after a short stay in port. Among
the men shipped to fill vacancies was one
known as "California Tom," a fellow of
unbounded assurance and infinite "gas,"
to whom John and I both took an in
stinctive aversion at first acquaintance.
But be found some congenial spirits on
board the Amphion, as such fellows will
in any ship where they may cast their
fortunes.
We had not been long at sea before it
appeared that we bad some one in our
circle who disdained the nice little dis
tinctian of meum and teum. Several
articles had been, mysteriously missed by
different parties, and complaints were
loud and clamorous.
A ship's forecastle is as unfit a place
for a thief as he can well find his way in
to. As much uneasiness is caused by his
presence as by the knowledge that a pow
der inagazine is located
. somewhat under
the deck, without known:rem:Hy where.
Woe _to him if he is caught; for though
Jack's standard of morality is, In many
respects, no higher than it ought to be,
he has no mercy for a pilfering shipmate.
He has, it may be said, one code of morals
to regulate his dealings with his own com
rade, 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 ex
empt from suspicion ; though the might
of it was equally divided between Cali
fornia Tom and my demure friend, John
Merrill. Each had his friends, who be
lieved the other guilty, but while the boy
modestly refrained from saying anything
about it, Tom did not scruple to head his
own party.
" It's easy enough to see who the thief
is," I heard him say oue night, as he oc
cupied the centre of a. little knot of his
cronies. "It's that sleek-faced little hy
pocrite that is at the wheel now."
"Of course 'tis," said Derby, one of the
"congenials." "It's enough to condemn
any fellow to know that he keeps his
donkey always locked up."
" What business has one man to be al
lowed to lock his donkey, anyhow ?" de
manded Tom, loud enough for all to hear.
"I say, let's go and kick the lid open and
see what's in it."
"Sit right down," said Frank Wight
man, from our side of the house; for 'loin
had risen as if to carry his suggestion in
to effect. "Don't undertake anything of
the kind. John .Merrill isn't here to
speak for himself, and no man shall break
his chest open while I'm by to prevent it."
" Don't you want to find out who the
thief is?" asked Derby.
"Of course I do ; and I don't think I
should have to go far to do that. If there's
to be a general search of chests and bunks,
I'm ready to agree to it at any time; and
perhaps the boy. will be willing to open
his, in such a case. But:I say it shan't
be kicked open in his absence." •
" It's plain enough that he is the guilty
one," said Tom "when his chest is the
only one locked, and—
" I don't know about that," reported
Frank, with a significant look. "A thief
might find other places for his plunder
besides in his chest. Indeed, if he's an
old hand at it he would be likely to."
This home-thrust put an end to the
discussion for the moment; for Tom as
well as Derby and the rest of his gang
were afraid of Wightman who alone was
a match fur any of them. But when
John' was relieved from the wheel we told
him what had occurred, and how suspic
ion was thickening upon him. Frank
asked him if he was willing to open his
chest and let ua all have a look at its con
tents.
" No," said he quickly, "I am not will-
ing."
But why not, if yon are innocent ?"
" I cannot say why not, but I can assure
you that I know nothjng about the stolen
things. You mail either take my word
for it, or, if a general search is determin
ed upon, open my chest by force, for I
shall not consent to have it done."
" I believe what you say, John," said
Frank, "and so does Bill, here, that you
are entirely innocent. But there are many
who don't, and there will be still more, if
you don't satisfy them. Perhaps if you
let me, alone, overhaul it, or Bill, if that
will suit you better, eh ?"
"No, I cannot show the contents of it.,
even to Bill. If the matter pressed hard,
I shall appeal to the old man for pro
tection, though I don't know as that
would do any good."
" None at all," said Wightman and I,
both at once.
" What would he do, do you think ?"
"Exercise his authority, and demand
the key at once- r or open it by force, He
has heard about the thefts, as you know ;
and I heard him tell lir. Baldwin that if
another case was reported, he should
make a general ward', and flog the thief,
if he could be found."
The boy rested his face upon his hands
in thought, but never no answer.
"Never mind, John," said Wightman ;
"don't fret abogt it. No harm shall come
to you, anyhow. I'm satisfied of your
truth, and if you still decline to show
your things, you shan't be forced to, at
least by anybody in this end of the ship.
But think this matter over, and perhaps
to-morrow you'll feel different about it.
I've no idle curiosity myself, to want to
know your secret; but I would like to
satisfy others, who haven't the same trust
in your integrity that I have."
That night in the middle watch, I was
awakened ?y a'slight clicking noise, and
I saw California Tom, by the dim light of
tho hanging lamp, stealthily opening
John's chest with a key. John himself,
as well as all the rest of my watch, was
sleeping soundly; but I knew that he never
left his key where it_could be. found. It
was always about ha, person, night and
day. Tom must haul found a duplicate
key to fit the cheat.
I was about to speak and eve the alarm
to Wightman and others; but, on second
thought, determined to wait a moment
and see the result. Tom had a buiidle in
one band, which appeared to be a new
flannel shirt, and as the lock flew 'open at
last, he lost no time in looking into the
chest, pushed in the bundle and relocked
it and went on deck.
' I considered the matter, and determined
to tell Frank WigMullin, which I did as
BOOD as our watch turned out.
. . . ,
~.r
.
•
• •
. •
" Don't tell John," were hisfirst words ;
"I hope he won't open the chest and dis
cover it; fot I want to see what kind of a
plot is hatching.
John Merrill had the morning mast
head, and went up to his post at daylight,
without having had occasion to look into
his chest. Tom was up and stirring soon
afterwards—an unusual proceeding for
him in a morning watch off duty—and
headed off Captain Soule as soon as he
made his appearance above deck.
Presently the order was given to call
all hands and muster them up. One of
the mates was sent in the forecastle to
see that no one lingered, and to have all
the men's kits and effects roused up to
the light of day. The captain was evi
dently in a towering rage, for he had
passed lightly over several previous re
ports of theft, hoping the matter would
be adjusted without his interference. But
Tom lost a-new shirt during the night,
and Captain Soule had lost—his patience.
"I'll find it if it's inside the ship l" said
he ; "and I'll flog the man that stole it."
Several bags and chests bad been empti
ed of their contents in the presence of us
all; for John hand been called down from
aloft, and stood, thoughtful and agitated,
at my side. When the captain came to
the locked chest,—
" Whose is this ?" be demanded.
";Mae, sir," said the lad.
" Genie your key ?"
" If you'll excuse me sir—l would like
to speak a word with you—by ourselves,
sir, if you please."
But the captain was not in a humor to
listen to any remonstrance at that mo
ment.
" Let me through with this cursed
business before I talk with anybody! It
doesn't look well, anyhow, that you keep
your chest locked up."
He swung back his heavy boot as he
spoke, and with a single kick under the
projecting edge of the lid it flew open.
" There's my shirt?" exclaimed Tom,
seizing the bundle that lay on the top.
He shook it open, showed his marks, and
it was at once identified beyond all dis
pute.
" Enough said! We're on the right
track now," said Captain Soule. "Take
up this chest and carry it aft." And he
closed the lid with a bang.
"Mr. Baldwin," he continued, "strip
John Dierrill's back, and seize him up!
It's a new thing for me to flog one of my
men—a thing I. never did—but I've swot n
it in this case, and I'll keep my word."
The poor boy, overwhelmed with con
fusion, could hardly find a word to protest
his innocence, as the mate led him aft. But
Frank Wightman at this moment neared
the captain respectfully, and touched him
gently on the shoulder. A word was
spoken ; the captain relaxed his angry
brows to listen to it, for Wightman was
the best man in the forecastle. The two
walked aft together, conversing earnestly.
I kept my eye on them, till Frank made
a signal, which I understood, when I fol
lowed.
" Mr. Derrick," said the Captain to the
second mate, "keep everything as it stands,
with the chests, forward. Don't allow a
man to touch a thing till further orders."
He beckoned Wightman and myself to
come below. But as he did not counter
mand the order he bad given about seizing
John up, the mate, it seems, proceeded to
obey it. He prepared the seizings, but
when he ordered the boy to remove his
shirt, he met with unexpected resistance.
While I was relating to Captain Soule,
in the forward cabin, what I had seen
during the middle watch, there was a
scuffle over our heads, and John Merrill,
iu a frenzy of excitement, rushed down
the stairs and into the after-cabin. "Hold
on, Mr. Baldwin, never mind what I told
you, for the present." And the captain
followed the boy into the sanctum, while
we awaited the result. In a minute
afterwards he put his head out at the door
with the strangest look on his face that I
had ever seen mortal man wear.
" Wihtman,_you and Bill pass 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
be seen as we looked about us.
" That'll do. You can go on de& now
—l'll talk with yon again soon." And
the door was closed between us and the
mystery.
It Was half an hour before Captain Soule
came up and ordered the search continued.
When he came to Tom's chest he over
hauled it very carefully; but it was ap
parently emptied to the bottom without
finding any stolen property. But' still
unsatisfied, ho stood it up on end, thump
ed it heavily, and threw it bottom up.
A false bottom was dislodged and fell out,
followed by the various missine articles.
A general cry of indignation was rais
ed, and a strong disposition was manifest
ed to lynch California Tom. But Mr.
Baldwin took upon himself the office of
excutioner this time with a good will.
" I always felt it in my bones that John
Merrill was innocent," said he to Captain
Soule; "and when it come to stripping
his shirt, I hadn't somehow, any heart to
do it."
"I'm clad you didn't succeed in do
ing it," wits the reply. "I couldn't have
flogged him if he had been guilty—nor
could you, either."
"How so, sir e
Do you think you could lay the cat
on the back of a woman ?"
That comical look of the captain's was
reflected, nay, multiplied tenfold in the
rouge face of the old mate.
" A woman!" he gasped out; "John
Merrill ?"
"Ay, a woman, Mr. Baldwin. Annie
Carroll is her name now."
"But—what aro you going to do with
him, sir ?"
"Do with him P With her, you mean
—put him, or put her, or it, ashore, of
course, as soon' as I can make a port. We
must give her a state-room in the cabin,
and have her to wear such a dress as be
longs to her sex." '
sWell—well"—waid Mr. Baldwin, re
flectively; "I never had anything, bring
me up with a round turn like that...
Then a bright idea seemed to have struck
him, and he demanded triumphantly,
"where's your clothes to dress her in r
" She's„got all her dry goods in her
cheat, ready to wear.”
- ','Aiiitt'kt : xxvtii;:rMialtti,46.
"What! in John Merrill'a chest, do
you mean ?"
"Of course. Whose 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 time to tell how we
talked the matter over in the forcastle
that night, and compared notes,tud went
back to every little incident of, the out
ward passage, that might be supposed to
have any bearing upon this astounding
discovery. Of course there were theta
ready to say they had guessed the truth
months ago; but I venture to say that no
man on board the Amphion had the
slightest suspicion of the truth, and it was
revealed to Captain Soule, as I have relat
ed. And . how much longer we might have
been in the dark, but for the attempt to
flog her, it is difficult tOsay.
John Merrill stood no more watches on
board the Amphion, nor went to the mast
head. But Annie Carroll, a beautifid
young lady, save that she wore her hair
rather too much au garcon, sometimes
steered a trick at the wheel when she felt
in the humor, until our arrival at Callao,
where she became, when her story was
known, the heroine, the lioness of the
hour. A passage home was secured for
her; and she took leave of us all
with no desire, as she confessed. to
follow any further the profession of a
sailor.
It was the old, old story. Au orphan,
a harsh guardian, and an attempt to
force her into a marriage with one she
disliked. A madcap scheme, in which
she had embarked from a wayward im
pulse, and persisted in because she hard
ly knew how or when to retreat. And
we were constrained to admit when we
reviewed all the circumstances, that she
had nobly sustained the double character,
and had dreserved all the finer attributes
of her sex, while she laid aside the ap
pareL
And will it be wondered that she' lost
her heart while on board the Amphion ?
Not to me ; for, of course, I was but a boy
in her eyes. But when I last saw John
Merrill, he was Mrs. Captain Wightman,
and still claimed to be, if not the boldest
seaman, the best helmsman, at least, of the
family circle.
The Intelligent Jury
In these days of progressive ideas, and
appreciation by the masses of what should
and what should not be, it is to erring hu
manity a source of consolation that there
is reserved to the unlucky transgressor of
this country's laws that balm for every
wound—a trial by jury. But owing to
the peculiar circumstances which exisus in
this great republic, juries happen some
times to be composed of decidedly queer
material.
In the case of the State of Louisiana
vs. Martin and Thomas, in which the de
fendants were charged with murder before
the District Court of Carrolton, a trial by
jury was had. It was proved in the evi
dence that Martin loaned Thomas a gun,
whereupon Thomas shot and killed a per
son. The jury, which was compose of
black men, was fully charged by the
learned and dignified Judge.
After a short retirement, the "intelli
gent jury returned and announced as their
verdict, through the foreman "That they
found the man what fired the gun to go
the penitentiary for life.---and the man
what loaned the gun to go there for one
year" •
•
They were immediately remanded un
til they could find an intelligent verdict,
and thinking they had at last struck the
proper chord, once more emerged from
their intellectual deliberations.
"Have you agreed?" asked the Judge.
"Yes," cried the foreman, "we find
bole of 'em guilty."
"No," no yelled several of the jurymen,
"one guilty and the other not"
"Go back," said the Court, "and bring
in a ierdict that w•e can understand.".
A third time they came in and an
nounced, through a new foreman. "We
find Martin guilty, and Thomas guilty
without capital punishment?'
As may be imagined, the Court was not
only struck dumb with amazement, but
accordingly mystified at the amount of
perspicuity displaced by the enlightened
voters of the nineteenth century.
Once more they were sent into durance
vile, and finally ended their agony by find
ing Thomas guilty without capital pun
ishment, and Martin not guilty.
The day following, in the same Court,
and before a like jury; came up a trial for
assault and battery, the verdict being,
"guilty of a razor.'
Alphabet of Proverbs.
A grain of prudence is worth a pound
of craft.
Boasters are cousins to liars.
Confession of faults makes half amends.
Denying a fault doubles it.
Envy shooteth at others and woundeth
herself.
Foolish fear doubles dangers.
God reaches us good things by our
hands.
He has hard work who has nothing to
do.
It costs more to avenge wrongs than to
bear them.
Knavery is the worst trade.
Learning makes man fit company for
himself
Modesty is a guard to virtue.
N of to hear conscience is the way to
silence it.
One hour to-day is worth two to-mor
row.
Proud looks make foul work on fair
faces.
Quiet conscience gives sweet sleep.
Richest is he that wants least.
Small faults indulged are little thieves
that let in greater.
The boughs that bear most bend low
est.
Virtue and happiness are mother and
daughter.
Wise men make more oppOrtunites than
they find.
You never loose: . by doing a good , tern.
Zeal without knowledge is a fire with.
—When is a house not a house? When
it is afire.
.: . ,::::,- ,
, r e , v.., .2::„
s 1
, .:
The True Story of Oldßedfnsid tuid
the Honest B r.
Those who do net know me may, per
haps, believe the following story. Those
who do know me will not.' quite
true: . ,
Reginald was a pleasant oldgentleman,
with a fine sense of humor. He had con
siderable property, and lived on Wimble
dom Common. -
He has one beautiful daughter—bat that
is not to the point.
One afternoon, as Old Reginald was
reading in his drawing-room, it was an
nounced to him that a Common Man de
sired to speak with him.
He gave orders that the Common Man
shoiild be admitted. And admitted the
Common Man was.
He was a very Common Man, indeed. A
tall, shambling, ill-looking fellow , with an
irresolute manner and. shrinking eye.. He
was' dressed as coatermongera are• dressed
when following their calling.
" What is your pleasure, good sir ?" said
Old Reginald.
"Beg pardon, guv'nor," said the Com
mon Man. " I hope you won't be hard on
me."
" Not at all," replied Old Reginald; •
"I'm—l'm a burglar," Eaid the Comiton
Man.
"Indeed!" said Reginald. "Take a
chair."
"Thank you kindly, guy'nor," said he,
"but I'd rather stand."
And he did stand.
So there is nothing incredible in my
story. Bat it gets more remarkable as it
goes on.
- " How do
,Ton like your profession ?"
said Old Regmald.
" Well, guv'nor," said the Common
Man, "I don't like it noways, and that's
it."
" That's what ?"
"That's why Pm here. I belongs to it
gang of twelve wot's working these parts
just now. We cracks cribs by turns. It's
my turn to-night."
And the burglar wept like a child.
"This, I presume, is Remorse,"
Old Reginald.
"No, gnv'nor, it ain't Remorse,"
the burglar. "It's Funk."
"The same thing," said Reginald.
" It ain't the heir& a burglar that I ob
ject to. It's the having to commit bur
glries. I like the credit of it, sir; it's
the danger I object to." .
"Now, by the laws of our gang, we're
bound to crack cribs in tnrn, That is to
say, one of us cracks the crib while the
other elevenstops outside and gives the
office "
" I thought that burglars always work
ed in twos or threes ?" said Old Regin
ald.
" P'rups I ought to know best I" sug
gested the burglar.
" Perhaps yon are right. 'lndeed, I am
sure you ought. What crib do you pro
pose to crack to night?"
" This here one.
" Mine ?"
" Yourn."
Oh l"
And Old Reginald prepared to ring the
belL
" Please don't do that, guv'nor. Yon
ain't never again' to give me into custo
dy"
I think I had better."
" No, no, gnv'nor, don't dothat. Listen
to me first. I ain't going to hurt you. It's
my turn to crack your crib to-night. Now,
willou help me ?"
"I hardly see my.way," said Old Regi
nald, thoughtfully. Still, if I can be of
any use—"
"Look here, gnv'nor, each member of
our gan g is bound to get fifty pounds
worth of swag oat of each crib he cracks.
If he don't, be's shot. Now, I see a hand
some silver salver and coffee-pot and cream
jug as I came in here.. Wot might be Abe
value of that handsome silver salver and
coffee-pot?"
" The cream jug is electro. The coffee
pot, with sugar basin and salver, may be
worth five and forty pounds,"
"That's near enough. take 'em.
Here s a flimsy for fifty quid,"
And he handed Old Reginald a bank
note for the amount.
" Still I don't quitt understand—"
" I want you, guv'nor, to be so good as
to leave your bedroom window open to
night, and place that silver and them sil
ver traps where I can get 'em. I shall
have cracked my crib, bagged my' swag,
and made myself safe until my turn came
round again."
" Certainly," said Old Reginald, hold
ing by the bank note to thelight. " But `
let me ask, bow can you afford to pay so
handsomely for their depredation ?"
"There was a dozen of us sir. Each ori,
us cracks a crib once in four months, and
each swags at least fifty pounds worth—
often more, but at least that. After each
plant the profits are divided. Last quarter
the twelve cribs cracked brought us in
eleven hundred pounds—that's nmetyodd
. pounds apiece. When my turn comes I
pay a fair price for the fifty pounds' worth
I swag (for I have been honorably brought
up), and I gets forty pounds to the good.
And forty pounds a quarter is a hundred
and sixty pounds a year.' And I lives 'on,
it. Sometimes it's snore—now and then
it's less, but whatever it is I lives °nit."
And the honestlellow took a receipt for
a note and departed.
Old Reginald was as good as his word. He,.
left his bedroom window open, and placa
ed the salver where the Honest Burglar_
was as good as his word, and at two o'clock
in the morning ho cameand found it.
So far, all was simple and straightfor
ward enough. But now, now comes the
curious and incredible part of my story.:.
The fifty pound note was a part of the.
proceeds of a previous burglary. The
number of the note was known, arid trao.'
ed to Old Reginald, who had to account
for its being ut his poiseasion. - •
Now the twelve burglars lad in the
meantime been arrested by the police
(this is also incredible), and 'were con
demned to penal eervitude for life.
_So Old . Reginald had no' helitation' in
stating the recta as I.have stated them.
No one belioved him, as no-one wilt me.
So he appdled to the Honest 'Burglar,
to corroborate his story.
But the Honest Burgter, having discoT.
end the whole thifig,coffee-pot, ealcarlmd.
all, was the comMonest eleetro, was in
^S:L rv~