American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1860-02-02
The Rescae-.-A True Story Of the Super.
natural.
From Owen,a RootfatIa v

Inc hescle.sSA True story Oi the Super
natural.
tFrom OWENS 'Footfalls.'l
Mr.. Robert Bruce, oril inally descended
from some branch of the Srottish family Of
that name. was born in humble circum
stances. about the close of the last centu-
ry, at Torhsy, in the south of England,
and there bred up to a seafaring life.
Wheh about thirty years Of age, to wit,
in the year 1923. he was first mae of a
bark trading between Liverpool aud s:
Johns, New Brunswick.
On one OF her voyages bound westward,
being then some FIVE or six weeks out. and
having nearea .hs eastern portion of the
banks Of Newfoundland, the Captain and
mate had besn on deck at noon taking at,
Observation of the sun; after WHICH they
both descended to calculate the days work
The cabin, small one was immed lately
at the stern OF the vessel. and the short
stairway descendingt + 'tran sthwart,ships
Immediately opposite to this slairwsy;
just beyond small square landing. was
the mates state-roc m; and from that md
ing there were two doors close 10 each
other, the one opening ait into the cabin.
The other fronting the stairway into th'
state room. The desk in the state room
HAS In the forward part of It, close to the
door, so that one sitting at il and looking
over his shoulder could lock into the cab
10.
The mate absorbed in his calculations,
which did not result as he had expected,
varying considerably from the dead teck
onng. had not noticed the captains mo
tions. When he had completed his ealcu
larioDs, he called out without looking
round, 81 make our ls;itude and longitude
so and so. Can that be right? How il
yours?
Retrieving no reply he repeated his dues
ton. glancing over his shoulder. AMI per
cirving as he thought. the captain busy
writing on his slate. Still no answer
Thpreupon he rose. and, as he fronted thu
cabin. door, the figure lie had mistaken fol
the captain raised its head and disclospt
to the sstonished mate the features oil al
entire stranger.
Bruce was no coward; but as he mp
that fixed gaze looking directly at him il
grave silence, and became assured that i
was no one whom he had ever seen befo
1t was too mach for him, and instead o
Stopping to question the seeming intrude
he rushed upon deck in such evident alarm
that it instantly attracted the captains at
:, tentroh "Why, Mr.. Bruce" said tn
latter, what in the world is the matte
with you?"
"The matter sir? Who is that at you
desk2"
"1Io one that / know Of"
"But there is sir; there's a strange
/, there"
"a stranger Why man. you must b
dreaming. You must have seen The stew
ard here, or the cond mate. Who els
would venture down there without or
ders?"
, But sir, he was sitting IN yotr arm
chair. fronting the door. writing on you
slate. Then he looked up full in my face
, and il ever | saw man plainly and dis
tiuc,ly in this world, l. saw him."
"Himl Whom"
"God knows, sir: l don't. l saw q ma
and man | had never seen in my life BE-
FORE" -.
"You must be going crazy Mr.. Bruce
A stranger, and we nearly six weeks out.
IL know sir! but then saw him."
"Go down and see who it is."
Bruce htsitIted. II never was a be
lever 10 GHOSTS" he said, "but, il tn
truth must be told, sir, Id rather not fac
= it alone"
!, Come, come. man. Go down at once
! and don't make fool Of Yourself befor
; the crew"
~ hope you've always found ME williu
10 do what's reasonable" BRUCE rcpliet
-, changing color; "but if it's all the san
4 to you. sir. I'd rather we should both 2
:. dowo together"
The captain descended the stairs. az
the mate followed him. Nobody in II
cabin! They examined the state room
d Not soul to be found!
"WelI, Mr.. Bruce," said The csptsiI