People's Pilot, Volume 4, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 January 1895 — A MODERN PIRATE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A MODERN PIRATE

THINK, friends.” exclaimed Patrick Cassidy, the moat prominent of the passengers assembled in the forecabin of tl> Silver Dream—“l think.

friends, that assortment should last ns the voyage;” and he indicated a large box which etch had contributed toward filling with jau», sardines, and other preserves not supplied by the ship. A hearty assent greeted the remark, but as loud cheering indicated the ship's departure, the box was locked, the key being handed to the speaker, and all hastened to bed farewell to friends they might never again behold. A brisk fair wind soon carried the Silver Dream clear of land, and all sought relief in the generous pastime of “feeding the fishes” Here again Patrick Qas-»idy became prominent. With hands clasping that part of his frame lying beneath his heart and with the glow of health replaced by tints of a decided green, he presently ceased the disinterested toil and sank on a seat.

“What is the matter?” I inquired. “Sure, I think it’s tho measles,” bo replied, faintly; “for ’twas bad in Macroom when I left. An—an hour ago I was as hearty as yourself, this minute; but now my little stummick is like a chair st Tim Dooley’s auction —'tis goin’, goin'. and will soon be gone entirely. What will I take for it?” “I would not buy, nor have it as a gift.” “Och, I didn’t mean that, but something to ease the earthquake inside o’ me.” said he dolefully. “Try a fat mutton chop,’’ I said. He suddenly bent double. A violent inward commotion was accompanied by an Irish fantasia on howls, and imploring the steward's assistance, he rushed to the lee-rail. For the space of a week all were m like condition, and then they met at the breakfast table, eager to enjoy the fruits of their forethought. With a flourish of the key Cassidy opened the box that contained the longed-fer delicacies, and, behold! it was as void as a newly dug grave. Indeed, it proved the tomb of many a keen regret, since the vanished contents were never recovers 1.

That breaks :st was a distn il failure. Poor Pat was horror stricken, and vehementlj’ declared his innocence, but suspicious glances were leveled upon the one whom all had so trusted, until, in a fit of desperation, he declared that the vital fluid of those who even thought him guilty would adore “the lid of the ship.” The robbery was instantly reported, but all efforts to recover the property proved useless; and, in lee I, the/incident was soon forgotten in the anxiety of much greater losses. One morning young O'Graly rushed from his room, an I declared that a fine revolver had disappeared during the night. Simiilt in jotialy, the charming Miss Magrath deplored the loss of her diamond ear-rings and gold brooch. whilj a third victim was minus a valuable gold watch and chain. It was clear that an oxp»rt thief was on board, sinco even the sa.oon

'‘WHAT WEIV’. TAG IMHXQ imjwx below?” had been visited, and tm family in the steerage rep into I the loss of spine SBO. A secret watch was kept upon the mavotnents of the sailors; hut just before crossing the line the third robbery was effected; uni this time in the very fok’sl.) itself. "1 say, B U, you been to m.* chest last watch?’ a shellback inquired of his chum. “No, Jack: lost anything?” ‘‘l'wu pounds o' ’baccy,” wis the answer, rn l the mm heaved a deep aiffh, attesting tho greatness of th.' calamity. Sailor Bill at once overhauled his own clothe s-chest, and a torrent of strong language indicated that his tobacco was also gone. In short, every mother's son tn the fok’sle ha I jn-t the sai») ditty to sing. an>l who the thief could be seemed past discovering. No part of the shin appeared safe from the mysterious thief, for the people were soon again thrown into a state of excitement when th j purser reported the loss of wine, beer and spirits from the store-room. Thus mutters stood, none knowing when or where the next theft might occur, until one night I was aroused by a blow delivered through t> • open window be -ide my bunk. Hurrying o.i deck to ascertain the cause, I found one of the ship's boys

ta the elatehet a hrt riek Cassidy. “What were * yea . doing down below?** the lat ter Mqni red, sharply. “Wat yer m can?" da. mended the youth. "You have t aen down there,” the other returne* 1, and poiz ted to a large iron ven! alator, in which a rope was hanging, that would g to a nimble burgh *r easy accest 1 to the lower decks. “You have be. ,n down there and haves stolen someth! ng-" “Search mn,” cried the bo V, who turned out his pockets as api °°t of his innocence. “It was you who put the rope there,” he added, emphatically *> “I saw you.” For a space the accused stood rip ld > a look of mingled passion and aha m overspreading his countenance. Th* by a swift, yet stinging slap upon th ’ ear, he sent the youth staggering ’ across the deetk.

"Take that, you rascal f’ he said. But the boy still maintained truth of his assertion, and furfietrmore stated that Cassidy had throwuu something into my bunk. Upon searching the bed a can*vas bag was found, and I knew in* stinctively that a clew to the robberies had been, obcadned. I sent for the'mate and in hia presence the contend TRpre- turned oortt and the brooch and the money stolen fronahhe steerage,', with the gold watch and ch ain, aasll the trinkets missed from thu salco«d lay before us. The revolver, tobacco rpd spirits shared the fate of the viissing preserves, as they were new t recovered. Next morning the pro perty was returned to the right u) owners, but a searching examination of both prisoners failed to d-teej the criminal, since both stoutly asM-rted tlicir innocence, and witne'6e > were not obttiir ( able.

But the sailor ; sp< ediiy settled t 1 matter to th .fr *wn satisfactir ,n. Rightly or '/rotr : ly, th..y decle ed the boy was yuilv # since Cassidy. i nul never been known to < ntcr the fok sle. ’J hey s-iz-d the youth, r gid, to an uceompa’limeat of ' ast-ful ropes.’ ends, h< was wait x I fore aud aft.

lie was ex died from ihe fo’ r’sle. and during t « remaindr • .f the voyage boardo- :t n I lodge.. Vjneut a one of the lony boat*. Cassidy sul to leave he fore cabin, and took aphis quatd jrs ,n tb steer-1 age. | IMri committed "he crimr no one] conHsay. te-t from' hat d«y forth the shi‘> was relieved com fu 1 they yiy- j io y. . I In du» voiir.se the Sib er Tjream droppe I 'unchor in the spa Jour . Moreton U>y.. Quern sial ,d. Tlu? batch of passjngv-s hf passed i at o the steam r that wor .Id bear th' an up th* boauutal rive.- thi}i. led tov xrsi Brisbane Ami t rii.giag cheery the boat ,me.«Nl sp.wly away, wb m the boy uddenly mounted our rr.l loaned! upon her paddle-I*>x. /

"Come backs 1, shou l /d. j ’ “Never. I Jr.-re )>. <n 4^ ce d,’” h S answerer, ah I , Aoo I -def iantly shaking his snmllfi-.t * s if desiring tounn hilate tho whole / ship’s cor ipany. Shortly befrire o>jr depeurtu re the boy was captured ted-’landed/ in robbing an up town Jtor.s and. • visiting to ascertain, whn par .he had played in robbm ’th >. • «p, i obtain! I leave to enter the f A Ree hillJU “Is Cars#.; or in nw ent?” I inquired./ j<] wishing to d .» so the n or r ‘ GVr >Jly •», p 1)S( ,bie. ( 1 said he, n cklesslv. ‘I •’ sr>r njp yeltiri, t outiat the veutJator v qrtili thak .' 1 was dis- ' over id, ]) s - jtftl>ebio<C up tho b ig, which had pa-evio-j ily be cone- -id -d behind ■ otno rope.-i close Vy. and .aa led round the deck-hou >e, Tb.nk n»g that you wtsre on dec* I th.cw ’th • bag into the bunk, hcpfng to r.« o« jr it when the row was over "

'Stay! ’ 1 ’<ald. scarce!; v » able to re".in my anger. “I s) u*l I tike your onfession in writing, a’ id you can s’ n it.” i hat he sullenly ng re< <* to do, and after a time proceed rtl v -ith hi.» rec t-L “1 will teach him not ’'•.interfere again,” he added. «‘l; u t ow lam here, 1 don’t mind te Hing - c u.” “You have almost .ruined ' he man,” I said. “\\hall>e< t. te spirits, tobacco ami pj*'*se. tvsT* “I sold em to ti « steer:ig«>” be replied. knowing! j-. —Th •• shooter fetched ten doLa >** The character »f Pat Cas My was cleared by the sign -4. cons e-sion I bore from the j j] ant bj s . rutitude for my exertio wa» as honest as himself. Of the boy 1 *ever igtic lit rd. but subsequent ii ptiries proz.’d hat he had several hr. es been •bu? id with robbery in : g n Fra tci-* i : id had finally been jept from a e lor natory >chool to or jf ship, in h< >p<- of g.ving him a new ,tart in life. Ca'sidv 1 jarrie lias clu'.rming Miss Ma.’rath. bo , •ame a sneer isful trader in ai s . new home: thus happily ending th i- ’ inystrriotw, i ci< ents which . • o .®rly proved his ruin on hoard twfe Silver Ihv •am.