The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-02-08
for tie Don,t Girtle.
A Singular story--The Rescue.

o~7~93---~~@~---7---~y-
A Singular Story--The Rescue.
Here IS strange ghost story. which We
take from Owens new work. FOOTBALLS on the
Boundary of another world:'I
Mr.. Robert Bruce. originally descended
from the branch OF the Scottish family Of that
Hame. was bern. in humble circumstances,
about the close of the last centuryat Torbay,
in the south OF England. and there bred up to
seafaring life.
When about. thirty years of age. to wit, in
the year 1925 he wae first mate of bark
trading between Liverpool and ST. johns, New
brunswick .
On one of her voyages bound westward,
being then some Eve or six weeks out, and
having neared theeastern portion of the banks
OF New Foandland. the captain and mate had
been on deck at noon. taking an observation
of the SUM- after which they both descended
to Calculate their days work.
The cabin, small one, was Immediately at
the stern of the vessel, and the short stairway
descending to it ran athwart ships. Immedi
ately 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 fronting 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 maze, absorbed in bis calculations,
which did Hot result as he had expected, va
rying considerably from the dead reckoning,
had not noticed the captain's motions. When
he had completed his calculations, he called
out without locking round, i make our Iati.
iude and longitude 60 and so. Can that be
righti How is yoursH'
Receiving no reply, he repeated his. ques-
ton, glancing over his shoulder, and perceiv.
ing. as he thought, the captain busy writing
on his slate. Sill no answer Thereupon he
rose and. as he fronted the cabin door the
tignre he had mistaken for the captain raised
his head and disclosed to the astonisbed mate
the features of an entire stranger.
Bruce was no coward; but as be met that
fixed gaze, looking directly at him in grave
silence. and became assured that it was no one
whom he had ever seen before, it was too
much for him; and instead of stopping to
question the seeniir gintruder, he rushed upon
deck in such evident alarm, that it Instantly
attracted the captains attention. Why, Mr..
Bruce, said the latter, what in the world is
the mater with you1'
The matter, sir? Who is that at your
deskp
No one that know Of
But there is. sir; there's stranger there.
A stranger! Why, man. you must be
dreaming. You must have seen the steward
there. or the second mate. Who else would
venture there without erdersf
But, sir, he was sitting in your arm chair,
fronting the door. writing on your slate. Then
he looked up full in my face; and if ever
saw man plainly and distinctly in the world, s
saw him. he bab
Him WhomP Y7.a..
God knows, sir; don't I saw a man,
and a man had never seen in my life before,
You must be growing crazy. Mr. Bruce
A stranger. and we nearly six weeks out r
I know, sir but then saw him.
Go down and see who it is
=. +. .s-.=e e-
Bruce hesitated. / never was believer
IN ghosts he said; but if the truth must be
told, I'd rather not face it alone
Gene, come. man. Go down at once. and
don't make fool of yourself before the crew.
- ! hope you've always found me willing to
do what's reasonable, Bruce replied, changing
color; bat if it's all the same to you, sir, I'd
rather we should both go down together
The captain descended the stairs, and the
mate followed HIN. Nobody in the cabin =
They examined the state rooms. Not soul
to be found r - sa
Well, Mr.. Bruce, said the captain did l
not tell you you had been dreamings'
It's all very well TO say SO, sir; but If I
iidn't see that man writing on your slate, may
never see my home and family again.
Ali Writing on the slate | Then it
should be there STILL And the captain took
t up. g. s. 80 gsa.'4 81 go s6I
By GodP he exclaimed, heres something,
'ure 'nre enough. Is that your writing, Mr.. Rrucei'
The mate took the slate. and therein plain,
egible characters, stood the words STEER TO