Newspapers / The Wilmington Messenger (Wilmington, … / March 27, 1898, edition 1 / Page 1
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If S ST t jr N, lN, -El WILMINGTON, N. C, SUNDA. MARCH 27, 1898 PRICE 5 CENTS VOL. XIJ NO. 74, CTlsriTEID STATES tWABSHIFS. , ' : if 1 r f j; i i 1 ; f t t : i 4 4 iH-t )" ' i i THE SER THE BATTLESHIP TEXAS- The Texas can steam 1 7 knots an hour when doing her best work. She dis places 6,315 tons of water, develops 9,000 horsepower, and she cost $2,500,000. Her main batteiy is composed of two 12 inch and six 6 inch guns. Her second ary battery consists ox a dozen smaller guns. , i ; 'tiiotiV iron ir ni v. sir" said, .rue . ?. w 1 9 man, as the lad gave, shim sixpence. "I suppose you are a (waterman, and. this !syour fcoat," said Rodney.' The man snook his head. 'Tn only a poor devil of asallor in 'ard luck," be replied. ' the wherry .was mine I'd (manage to make a living- out of it, as sure as any, maime's Tom. Pugsley." '.'I'm sorry for . you," said Rodney, who was impressed by the seaman's honest face. "It's hard to be out of work in a big city like this. If another shilling will (help you along " H "broke off with a sharp cry, . which was echoed at j the same instant from a different-quarter. A fusy little tug boat had glided quietly and 'suddenly from behind the stern of a big mer chantman, and was steaming diagonal ly up stream across the Iboat! of the wherry ; ( i "It's all right sir," exclaimed Tom Pugslye, who had -shot a quick glance over his shoulder; "we ain't goto, to -collide." -::.-') ' ;. ' :.:t':;'L'- - But : nevejitflieless, so unexpected and close at nand had the tug loomed up, there , was imminent danger. (The sailor knew this, and Clustered him a bit. tWith iboth bands he jerked at one. oar Jerked so nard tlhat the blade snapped off at the rotwlock,.and: he fell sidewise against the gunwale. The tug and the wherry, met -with a t!he crash, and the twtakHnfi: otf an Rodney went EHT'S SIGH. And How It Did Rodney Gooii Turn. PlAJRT I, IA TJlackwettl bus,' rolling along Oornhin," lLondon, Barnes a ealsitward reluctantly slowed up at the tear of the Royal Ex change to Jet two passengers off. The one was a tall well-ibuilt gentleman of middle age, stigtit ihearted, clakl in blue serge, and with la 'nau tidal jair about Ih'im; his companion was a jslira, good aooking lad, some18 or 19 years of age. Thie capttain drew the lad An. to a fehady paissage a fl'ittle removed from t!he (bustling f crowds on Cornhill. "I lhave :busi)ness to said, (pointing to rway of (Lloyd's, transact the ibroad hvihere are here," he entrance itihe foead- atBarters of -tflie shipping interests of the -.1, . 4 . - i J world. ""Of course,! you don go twith me, but 'sitrange dity it is in: this t want to great and .1 pyery easy to T won't cet into any danger, inter- mpted Rodney, , and I vwon'it "get lolst. a- .TrrvATnlbftr a eood bit aoout 0-ondon. , : "t'.tti aonrrv ivou! can't see ; more of it m'. -.nirtrifliRioai " said liis father.- Two days is little enough, and it xr.iivi - thjwft ibee.nl twice as much but tfrvrtiv. storm itihat brouglht us into the if,rvrtv-eiftit Ihours overdue. And I regret -more thian all, my boy, that you must go back (With me on Wednes day, dnstead otf 'taking the i. delightful 'Erip that we planned -for - you in . June. Put I hope you -wUll have the, opportun ity next summer! " ! ' I "Don't 'talk about It father," .said ORodney, in a low voice, 1 - "It Was a heavjl Mow," declared Cap tain Barnes, his f f ace suddenly ; cloY; inT t tsnojokeitoaose 300,fand to JSSace that smxL as I wad 'bound m Sonor to do,; to4k nearly all of - my gedke Off loddenly. tWihUjje : ywS gOing to dO wkh yourself now? he added. H ; ! 1 . TaJce a troll aiomg . "J, iTntfton .bridge firyt, "land 'then I may come somie- .Rodney replied, tn -up afe far as Chel Atteairner. u. wum. (back (by bus an gett supper wr?ng on thate aid, Jf wa'tdh On thie hoirs, y". Tf don't fail ito meet, me at Buston sita tlion at 10 oVjlock-l ) ,; -; j. ;j Vl will fcte on tia-nHL" Pf nev. He madie al f move to 10, lbut Sed Sickly to. fc think S'tiephien luayoooK : p Iondont" he asked. . ) ng,". t!he oapuam re- of his snouioers. he stole (the money, rug tarn con h lyLnded; r J e, rworiu of that no He stole it ilt, if there te any left .! tNO, iRodney,- don't '.There's no tel rallied, w'i'thu sht "you 'are ceil tfather ?" , : : 4Yf??. I am doulbt of 4t In Its land lie wiM keep Of 'the ! 300. ' Re ,n station atL 10-o'clock ttT"r "Wvl. m. fcinff' Oross bus on and, or at the Hop of -St. Martins .vi Mow of fate," -fie lad VMflfw.iv" fRT'ierflv. hOWJ' it al rfli . -fhi ..Hitv - of Moscow from 'Liverpool to ' !Newi York, some three -weeks previous, ttnere was on board a stingy and eccentric tAmeriicain from) Ithe West. He .wan'ted! what money he had iwith hlfen put am a- safe. place, (but refused tp 'trust it ito tine puorser, as rwaa cne aisutai c?usiiiia.. k,hxu- ttiain 'Barnies, on lollering, somt . or puire "kindness, itio 'itafce charge of lit (for him, received frOm the passenger the" sum of 300 In lnglish gold . and! motesi, whichi he 'lOOKea iup an a smaini a run safe in his 'calbto. .The last inlight' out ibeing sitormy, the captain! Was on the bridge . until nearly dawn: guarding aealinst the inertias of the . Am'ertcan coast. - Then ihe coming .on bOard of the ptilOt enialbled Mm UO snatch a few hours of sound sleep in h'is caibin. By midday the Ctity of SMocsow was svvingiing up the iNortlh river to her dock, and now, When Ithe, passenger, de manded Ms money, ' ltt was fooind to. lhave mysteriously disappeareid from itflne captain's locked safe. Meanwhile the gangway had ibeen dropped, to the pier and a little later it .was learned that one Of the deck hands " had secretly slapped off the vessel iwith a flow of passengers. !A search revealed, the fact that he had packed his scanty belong ings and 'taken them with hiihi. ; . . iBeyond a doufbt the deck ; steward, Stephen Laycock by name, was the thiieif. He was a young , 'OEInglishman Of 22r a bright and willing -Worker, and had 'been employed on the steamer for three years. It -was clear . that, he had pilfered the safe key from; the sleeping captain's , pocket in : the Mark hours of the morninsr. taken the 5 money; and then chosen flight in; preference to the risk of suspicion and detection. -'I only iwisih I wOuld ; run across Steve," Rodney said to himself, as a tide, of wheeled traffic checked him un der the statue of old King William. He suddenly made a gralb at has shirt sleeve and hitched, it up to the elbow. On the fleshy, part: of his arm, several inches above the wrist, a cooled ser pent wa;s admiralbly tattooed in 'half a dozen ibriiliant colors. . 'He looked at it wlith angry eyes, remembering how and when it came 'there. Itwo years ago, while crossing the Atlantic for the first tlime with his father, me ana itepnii liavcock had been fairly chummy. An old sailor, a friend Of Steve's, had, with more zeal, than discretion, pricked tne same snaky design on an arm of eaon lad. There had (been a row, of course, and Captain Barnes had Deen very anierv. It -Was mot pleasant now iot Rodney to feel -that that he and that contemptible thiieif were pranaea amce for life. - '"FVr two hours the lad lingered amid thP! memories and sights of the hiistoric Old tower. Then, circling aiwina uy ,way of Towr Mil and the Mint, he came, toward 6 o'CIook, xo tne waier stairs 'beneath the tower tbrioge. - "Want a hit olf a ride, sir?" -v The voice had a hearty and honest ring, and it 'belonged to the oCcupamt of a wherry .tmat maa jusc alongside the lower' step-Ha' thickset, youngish man, wiittt oeepiy loronzeu face and clad . in (blue trousers and a worn shirt of the same color.- "iHullo! 1 didn't see you land," ex claimedv Rodney. "Yes, i.I wouldn't mind a little ride. How much farther down ape you going?" 4,Onry to Wapping, sir. ; Oome along if you like.'.' ' ';.;.; Z ' l'- iRodney hesitated an instant. Then,' rememibering that he had some time to spare, and tempted by Ms love of the water, he stepped into the wherry and took the stern seat. , . latter capsized in eye. far down toward the Thames mud, but he was a good swim mer, and did not lose his presence , of mind or his .breath. Striking out hard, he came to the surface. Where he shook the water (from! his eyes and looked about him. He vhad passed under -Che tug, and it Was now some feet -astern. Close to I one side was Tom 1 Pugsley, feebly splashing to keep his mouth above watdr. There was a (bleeding wound on hi fforehead,evidem.tly caused by strikingr the bottom of the tug, and this seemed to have stunned i him. No immediate help was ; at. hand, and he was in peril of drowning. : ' ', Rodney knew "the fearful risk of try ing to aid a man in such a condition, Tom Pugf jewent (first, and no soon er had Ro$ jey's feet touched the deck than. the sors who Were holding him dropped hfi asttiough he had been a hot potato 4 They (broke into ! doud shouts andyers. 1 ' I x It;s thetTong party!" declared one., "I though-CpJrle looked kind of queer." "Ay. so ilSs; here's a rummy go!" cried anottti jf. . ' '' "Hush yltlr noise!" tthiundered Cap tain Bowe3!V Striding into the ! group he peered 'irrst at Rodney's face, and' then -at thV jatooed reptile on his::bared elbow.His ifsr dropped, and his features turned' . itepfg red '. to- par?pae.:- '.lAit, ; ay," he muttedio "Why -Mess me, if you. ain't a difftfent chap altogether! Hang my infermpluck, I say! I'a sorTy youngster, for yet the mistake was no more ;.thani "natural, ' lad, ? aJbout that India-ink : if pentJ on yourOarm. Might you have avrother tattooet the same?" rNd. Xt 'hie no hrother.": I I ...A-r-naT.'-.m-Mi?; Come, did you ever know" a p? arm like yf RjrVi,nev! Eteitated a moment ing that $ Pugsley was gazing .at him curiot&!, ?; The mystery was i grow ing clear klmkri, and he was uncertain how ' 'eap- 'oofff.lhad the serpent pjfl&ed : on our arms at the same timely an old sailoii a couple of years -asoe finally said "The, other ch'ap- rwas;a steward on: the . ship I crossed an.c,f ' ". ' - j ! 'Name o6arson?"' eagerly demand ed the captin-N !' V ' ' n with a serpent on his A "Was he i'bout 20 years old, slim and aAvihaar&H'- with grayish eyes ', only it s runs ntical chap, Rod- - - I -f. . . I i . THE CRUISER MONTGOMERY. The Montgomery is an unprotected cruiser of 2,080 tons displacement. She cost $612,500 and has a speed of 19.5 knots. She carries nine 5 inch rapid fire guns ana een smaller guns. - - . ; ? he ' give Bow-; What has he an instant, ax once xi'e cvviuxn hind Puesley. and took a tight hold of his collar. The half -unconscious sailor n rHffTent.ame.' crieCl Captain ers.!.:-i;:1VV.:;:: ;;r .:-. : "Very lilifcyr said "Rodney. - vmi 'wlfc Of him ? What done?" "Done V thoed the angry iy "Why the' r'iscally skunk signed with me f theind trip, and enppd t ft .:XI - a. . n.nA n Y- IT T MI KflU ,tT bait he was too plucky to hesitate for That :Stn the vam.up roe- ami F-WJR""-, t "L.iri von sarpent' on'lttour arm. a was him. a& of course - THE DOUBLE TURRET MONITOR TERROR The Terror iSa modern coast defense vessel ot 3, gfi tons displacement.! Hex speed is 12 knots,! and she cost Uncle Sam $3ti78,bf' Her four big 40 inch guns are carried two in each turret. She also hasVeigJJ; smaller guns.1 In action Khfi ran sink ro that her unner deck is flush with thelMater and her curved deck and revolving turrets are alone presented as a targetShe carries a crew; of 200 men.. . . i .. ; !!-.. m : twisted .'around, seized the lad by the hair, and both sank heneath the tide. - Struggling desperately they came to the top again, Rodney grimly holding his breath, and now' unable to break' loose had he wished. Once more he was dragged " down, and he gave himself up for lost; thoughts of parents and home - flashed across his wade awake mind. , Then he " saw light, and gulped a mouthful of air. ; The tug was alongside of him j and he felt,! -strong arms grasp him and pull him on hoard. In a moment the torave lad was all -nio-v. a-nr nih!ie to thank his rescuers. The struggle had drawn.his shirt sleeve far up; and the .tatoOed sterpemt on has elbow was exposed to plain view. Tom Pugsley was in much better- shape than niiight have ibeen expected. 3 kicg von; vounr c-entleman!" he whispered faintly, leaning ; toward Rodney. "I shan't furget t 'ow ; you saved my life that blow, sort of stun- fFhrt us1 ashore at Wapping stairs, if you don't mind, sir," he added. to tne capiaui jl uuu ? j The captain nodded assent, and gave Aarr, A Tviit on steam. Just then the iffif.oK irtiosu iunder the hows of a rakish looking cargo steamer, on which the name Lapwing was painted in huge letters of red. urcr wb r some one df the crew, ; ana e vw these suddenly crowded a red-racea, mflvfhp.nirded man. One downward glance he oast at ithe tug and its 0001-- pants, ana xnii y," :,.J, Hold on . there below! Stop and make fast! o yOu hear? I want that lad -there's a warrant out fur him! Heave the young scroundrel up!"; "I see," ff5errupted Rodney.!! "It was a natural;;5stalke." t 1 "Rut ratrr-' awkward I wur you," laughed -:m;f captain. "However, I'll make ameijs-as fur as possihlej along, noWjfSjioth r ox. you. Come Arrived O Captain .Bowers',; cabin, that i bluff wit well-meaning indiviauai rigged his fests in some ill-fitting gar- mens or ..iirw y vyn suiu. owi : wiwi, my: dudd: ! to 'bidriied at the cook's . galley. Then; spraying, out- nsome tooa ana a Tttle of !s&its on the chart table he urged Rod5 v?y to eat and drink. At 1 last .aSJootstep maae mm hook, up, and.he';siDom'Ptugsley. .If "Are ourhings dry yet?" he asicea. "Not yetyflad," the sailor answered. "I come fctave . a private word with you-" x "Yes; go ln." . Tt iit'ra is this wav. sir. I Ii sort o thoug'ht, -wfen you was speakim with the captai that you seemed anxious vourseir tof find this other jtatooed capaJble of sheltering the possessor of L anything1 like 300. ' . , N I'd like to see 'Alfred Dyer," Rod- ciey said to the grimy youth in attend ance. ,. - , - .' .- :- : i" ; ""You know him, eh?" was the reply, accompanied 'by a keen glance. ; j "Yes; he's an old friend." r -t i v.. "The - chap's in," said the! grimy youth, apparently satisfied. He flour ished his greasy knife and pointed to an open door around the counter to the left. "That way, next floor (back. Rodney followed, directions s and reached . a gloomy hall. (He ascended a flight of narrow, uncarpeted stairs "to an uiper hail, which was in darkness save a thin, upright bar of light. a few yards straight ahead. To this, the lad advanced cautiously, and pushing a partly open door back on its hinges he boldly entered. ; , V ; - " ' The room was small and dingy, light ed toy a. cheap oil lamp, on a shelf; and with a small open- window at the rear. And on a low hed, reading a '; flashly illustrated paper, sat Stephen Laycock. He glanced, up, and when he saw his visitor the paper fell from , his hands and his ibronzed cheeks turned pale. "Rodney Barnes!" he exclaimed hoarsely, and with a ghastly attempt at a smile. "It aint really you?" M "That's just who .it is," replied Rod ney, pushing I the door shut - and step ping 'hearer, '"and you know what I want. Give me the money you stole from my father's caibin." r ; i . "I haven't got it," muttered Steve. "I don't '.know anything about it." I . "TXim't deny at,'U said Rooey. "irs no 'ueelTm not oIng "to -waste time ti .woirds. You nearly ruined my fath er, and you've got the money in that belt. Hand it over, Steve; You shan't get away with it to the cape, as you're "Who told you-1?'; ? ! 1 "Never mind! I want the money Without any fuss. lAnd it will be for your own good to give' it up I "What is in this (belt is .mine," Steve interrupted- angrily. "Bluff won't wxfk my fine chap; and if I choose 'to go to the cape Til go. What proof have you that I stole any money?" , ! - I "Hit's enough that I know it," Rod ney answered quietly; "I don't need proof. Look here, Steve, ' how j about Captain Jerry Bowers of the , ; Jap7 iwing?" - - - ' ' . Steve 'turned color again, and a gleam Of fear shone .in his . eyes. "Who who irj? rnm sttv"" stammered. ' "You" heard me," Rodney replied. "I said Captain Bowers. He's not far off this minute, and he wants you pretty badly." ic "- - .'-'L'' ''"' "Pwh siteos hrought Steve (to the end of the bed, and with his hack nearer the window': His hands were denohed and there was a hard menacing on his j - - ' t i - - : - ,- - t ' - " fcuc - " - "Hurry up," 5 continued Rodney, who was keenly on his guard. "You under stand the fix you're in-ithere are , no twO ways albout it. I'll only wait a minute longer,5 and then I'll s&out for Will you?" muttered Steve siwiftly his right hand slipped behind him, and as swifitly it reappeared;, clutching a small and shiny revolver. Zn your mout)V he whispered fierce- ly "I'll shoot at the first sound! Stand right-there - . i "You sneaking thief!" gasped Rod ney;' and with that he, made an agile le forward and struck up Steve's ooDtstretched arm. The weapon .flew, against the wall, and the next .igstoajt. the two had grappled. Xocked togeth er they fell to the floor, rolling over and fought for mastery. Steve did not dare to cry out, and ; Rodney kept siient be cause he still had hopes of .gaining hia end. , :. ;; ,:' -'-. ji , ; '".!(-:- . ; . They wei pretty evenly matched and fbr several 'minutes the struggle went on, a hrief advantage shifting constanit ly from one to the other- . i . "You'll he caught," panted Rodney. "Give' up!" I" ' 4 ! ! ' "Never!" Steve . hissedJ "rn fix you" j, :v- A : There was a sudden commotion down stairs loud voices, the slamming or a doori and then heavy footsteps clatter ing upward. With an oath Steve threw all his strength into a last aesperate effort. He forced his antagonist over. hurled him against a chair, and broke loose. But Rodney had seized and broken the money-helt, .and it remained . in his .hands. ' ! I' Just then, as Stove stood to his feet, the door flew j open, and into the room fairly pitched Captain Jerry Bowers. "Ive got you my runaway! chicken!" he cried..;.'' u, ' . -:, i - .' .;.;.; "Not yet!" snffted Steve. In a trice he was across Jhe' room, and a dull crash told that he had landed on the nearby roof of a j; shedor puthuildimg. f . With a ibellow of rage and a brief glance at Rodney, Captain Jerry Bow ers plunged in pursuit; He recklessly straddled the window .sill,) and. there was another noisy crash as he dropped Then followed' a hoarse: outcry and the clatter of feet' along a paved court. Rodney tucked the precious .belt un der his Jacket land darted into the hall, where he ,came face to face.witih Tom Pugsley. The latter, With a gesture of silence, drew 'him. into an unlit room a few feet away andpu .lied the door nearly shut. ' . .''--, :V "Tt's mv lodgin." 1 he whispered. "Wait 'ere a hit, an we'll ftnd.a chance to slip out. You ' were right aJbout the captain,' sir 'e must 'ave feard us talk in' on deck." i -' i'-IJ. ' ' ' '. ' " Th'p house . was now ranging with noise, -and' in quick succession five then clattered up . the stairs; j kAs soon as they had entered Steve's room Tom and Rodney crept louit and down, meeting no person on the wayV The v door at the foot of the lower hall swas unlocked and by 'this they gained the street un seen. They turned the first corner and hurried on hy- devious ways to the Minjorfes. Here they luckily found a hansom, and during he rapid ride that followed Rodney described 'his adven ture to his companion. ! t 1 . "I'm certain the money is. in the (belt, he. concluded, away all right "and I'ta! glad we got There, would have heen no end of troulble explaining -matters to the police, and it might nave Kept father from taking out I his ship on time." i !.;, :.. r "Yes, we're -j lucky," assented'Tom "an' no mistake. I knew -j what was up the minute I seen Captain! Bowers go to -the door, an. I was afraid 'e'd 'spoil your .trick." - U , - It was Just twenty-eight minutes : past 10 : o'clock when (the cab rattled into Euston station, where Captahi, Barnes was waiting Impatiently. He promptly aibandoned his intention of catching the night express to Overpool and all , three went to I 'a room tn a neighboring hotel. The helt was found, to contain, exactly 295 pounds, and . this sum was further reduced;, by a gift of 5 to Tom Pugsley, when the whole story of the recovery of ;the money had been told. .::'- - J ..-' :;--:-' : Why is It that men always look at the face of a (bride andwomen at heir V1V liiMXB ARMORED CRUISER BROOKLYN, THa "Rrnoklvn ia the naw's ereatest cruiser. Her speed is JO Knots, ner displacement 9, 271 tons, and she tost about $3,000,000. She carries ight 8 inch, twelve i inch am.d 20 unaller gung. ; v PART XL ' "I say. hold on 'there!" came angrily from the cargo steamer. "TJon't you be taking that chap away, or I'll give you troulble. -He's a deserter from, my vessel, an' I want him." ' ' ''. "Is that so?" demanded the captain. "Of course it is," was the reply, "else why should 1 say it?" N "I never saw the fellow hef ore, ex claimed Rodney. . i"Ifs a mistake,, sir." Take him," the captain said, curtly, n wttte the row ibetween you. It's none of any tousiness. Ixjok sharps ahove! ! Tm going to give, you (both the "I am antous," exdaiined 'Rodney. "And 'asL-Vfe wronged you, sir?" "Yes, heSbhed my father of a large sum of ffney tout what do you mean?".'-.; & ; . mean ve gqt .t'other tattooed chap fur you,"' - was the whisperea repiy. "Alfred TJPr is the name e goes (by, and' 'e's sHyin at "my 'lodgin' place yonder inutpper.Dast Smithfield." 'Can lie t the same?" j -"Yes; suS I seen the serpent on Is arm when W was washing! 'is 'ands, an' didn't kncmgl was about. , over . : , . . . - -v - - :. ' i ' '.;-; : .-:..'' ..-''.-'.: r-: - i. : -.T: '. ;i : j . ;.: " .-. y ....... .. ! " 3y PART TJL They turld from the river up Night ingale lan vVbet ween the, hagn, amgy walls of grjit dock warhouses, and five minutes' r?did walking Ibrought them toUpper st Smithfiead ; . "That's j"Vie place whispered Tom, pointing tf fla- sign on Which could be read: 'ujoiing for seamen i and emi grants:g. -;;-; r: "Ali rigfc i," -ireplied Rodney. Here goes! TXwi wait more than v minute or. two."ii' ;-;..; ' I ;-":lvt:"; Wlith' a. fvtt-heatlng heart he crossed the street, t id pulling his coUar up and his hat dovi a little be slouched -care- lessly. Into btuidxng uai w SEAGOING BATTLESHIP MASSACHUSETTS. The Massachusetts is a 15 knot ship and cost $3,00, CC0. She displaces 10,283 tdn ol water, has 9,000 horsepower and carries four 13 inch, eisht 8 inch, four Q inch and 80 guns of smaller size, i , I i balf drowned rats." ; : ; ,"-'::-:: -fx, t : V- "'
The Wilmington Messenger (Wilmington, N.C.)
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March 27, 1898, edition 1
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