Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 April 1893 — He Would Not Leave [ARTICLE]

He Would Not Leave

It is the custom in the British Army that whenever a regiment is transferred from one colony to another, prisoners who may be in the jail are handed over to the outgoing corps and continue their sentences at the new station. In one cose one of these jail-birds made up bis mind that he would not leave the colony. Private Johnson was one of the smartest men in the corps, and furthermore he was an excellent groom and almost a “cordon bleu.’’ He had one sad failing. He was a thief. His' peculations had, however, been generally small, and he escaped serious punishment. One night a large store in thetown was broken into and a considerable amount of money stolen. It was conclusively proved that Johnson was the thief and he was sent to jail. When the regiment was leaving the colony Johnson, with some other soldier prisoners, was to be handed over according to custom. When, however, his coll was visited it was empty and there was not a sign of Johnson anywhere. A search was made in every direction, and at last a prisoner pointed to a cocoanut tree which grew in the middle of the prison-yard, and there comfortably seated among the tuft of leaves, was Johnson. The Wbrden at first tried to get the man down by quiet persuasion, then he threatened, then stormed and swore. Johnson laughed contentedly at every mood, but did not move. The fact was reported to the Colonial Secretary, who recommended that the fire-engine be called out and the man washed down. The chief of the fire department hardly thought it was

consonant with his dignity to wash a prisoner out of a cocoanut tree, and reported that there was not pressure of water enough to got a stream to the top of the tree. This was probably true, for the tree was a tall one. The case was again referred to the Colonial Secretary, who took it before tho Governor. His Excellency was having luncheon with some of the departing officers and their friends and was having a good time. He was vexed that at such a time he should be troubled with official work, as hastily glancing over the document he added the following instructions: “Cut the fellow down. I mean the tree.” This could only be done by the engineer, ing department, so orderlies were sent out to find the chief engineer. While all this was going on, time was slipping away. Almost all the troops were on board the troopship, and as these vessels wait for no one, the escort which had been sent to bring Johnson down to the ship had to hurry off not to be late itself. Johnson bellowed a farewell, and despite the strong language of the warden still laughed and did not move. Before the engineer department had come to a conclusion os to how to cut down the tree and lower it gradually, the troopship had up anchor and was steaming out of the harbor. Then Johnson climbed down the tree and finished his sentence on the island, to which he had taken a fancy. His conviction find carried with it his “discharge with ignominy.” He settled in the island and was soon in easy circumstances. He had undoubtedly hidden his stolen property, and after his release dug it up and started in business. When Johnson was last seen he was flourishing and had a large cocoanut grove around his cottage.— [New York ribune.