Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-06-06
ROBER 7 BRU CE,
THE MYSTERIOUS HANDWRITING

Mr.. Robert Bruce, originally descended
from some branch of the Scottish family of
that name, was born in humble circuml-
stances, about the close of the last century,
at Torbay, in the south of England, and there
bred to seafaring life.
When about thirty years of age, to-wit, in
the year 1888, he was first mate of a barque
trading between Liverpool and st. Johns,
New Brunswick.
On one of her voyages bound westward,
being then some five or six weeks out, and
| having neared the eastern portion of the
banks of Newfoundland, the captain and
mate had been ON deck at noon taking an OBJ
servation of the sun, after which, they both
descended to calculate their days work.
The cabin, a small one, was Immediately
| at the stern of the vessel, and the short stair
way descending to it ran athwart-ships.-
Immediately opposite to this stairway, just
beyond small square landing, was the mates
state-room; and from that landing there were
two doors, close to each other, the one
opening aft into the cabin, the other 'front.'
ing the stairway into the state room. The
desk in the state room was in the forward
part of it, close to the door, so that any one
sitting at it and looking over his shoulder
could see into the cabin.
The mate, absorbed in his calculations,
which did not result as he expected, varying
considerably from the dead-reckoning, had
not noticed the captains motions. When he
had completed his calculations, he called out,
without looking round, 4 make our latitude
and longitudes SO and So Can that be right?
How is yours !?
Receiving no reply, he repeated his ques-
tion, glancing over his shoulder and perceiv-
ing, as he thought, the captain busy writing
on his slate. Still no answer. Thereupon
: he rose, and, as he fronted the cabin door,
the figure he had mistak en- for the captain
raised his head and disclosed to the astonish
ed mate the features of an entire stranger.
Bruce was no coward, but, as he met tina
fixed gaze, looking directly a. him in grave
silence and became assured that it was ne
one whom he had ever seen before, it was
too much for him and, instead of stopping
to question the seeming intruder, he rushed
upon deck in such evident alarm that it in
e stantly attracted the captains attention.
n why Mr.. Bruce said the latter, what il
e the world is the matter with you ?
n The matter, sirP Who is that at you
e desk
T No one that know Of
e Bat there is, sir; there is a strange
t. there
!, "A strangerl Why, man, you must b
:. dreaming. You must have seen the stewar
:, there, or the second mate Who else woul
5, venture down without orders?'
e But, sir, he was sitting in your armchair
= fronting the door, writing on your slate.-
Then ne looked up full in my face; and
a ever saw man plainly and distinctly in th
lie world, saw him.
W sHiml Whom
h God knows, sir, l don't. saw maj
m and man had never seen in my life b
Iy FORE
ly You must be going crazy, Mr.. Bruce
le A stranger, and we nearly six weeks outP
of i know, sir but then, saw him.'
of go down and see who it is
to Bruce hesita.ed. I never was believ
ut in ghosts, said he, but If the truth must
~ told, sir, I'd rather not face it alone
at Come, come mani Go down at once, al
as don't make fool Of yourself before
ch crew.