The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-01-01

figure OF Morgan leaning over his bed,
and glaring Mt him with eyes like saucers.
Tom cried, "Murder! Ghost! Billy Nor
gan!" rs loud rs he could yell, until he
reused the landlord, who came to know
what was the matter. Tom related the
whole affair. Mine host utterly denied
having ever seen or heard of such fig-
ure or appearance. and so did all his fam
lily. The report reached tho frigate.
''Hcaven and earth, )" cried Captain R,
''shall we never get rid Of this internal
sceptrc, or whatever else It isT He was
In despair. Never was man so perse-
cuted by ghost In this world before.
The ships crew were so dlsmayed, that,
had an Algerine came across them, they
might, peradventure, have surrendered at
discretion. They signed round robin,
suggesting to the captain the propriety OF
running the ship ashore, and abandoning
her entirely to the ghost, which now ap-
peared almost every night, sometimes be-
tween decks, at others at the end Of the
bowsprit, and again cutting capers on the
yards and top-gallant masts.
From Malta, the squadron proceeded to
Syracuse. There, the ships were placed
in quarantine, and fnmlgated with briu,-
stone, to the great satisfaction of the crew
of the frigate, who were In hopes that
this would drive away Billy Morgan, who
had not troubled them for some time.
But Immediately on the expiration Of the
quarantine, he again visited his old chum
and heir, Tom Brown, lank and dripping
wet rs usual, and after giving him soul
thrilling shake, whispered, TON, want
to speak to you, about my watch and
chest of Clothes" But Tom rOared
.Murder!" with all his might, when the
ghost vanished, muttcring, rs Tom swore'
"You Internal lubber!"
The re-appearance doubled oil former
CONSERVATION, and nothing but the most
severe aud unrclaxing discipline prevent.
ed the greater part OF the crew from dc.
sertlng. Poor Tom. to whom the deSoir'
of the spectre seemed most especially dl'
rectcd, LETT Off swearing and chewing TO-
bacco, and dwindled to q perfect shadow
He became very serious and took to sing
Ing psalms. In addition to this dlaboli
cal persecution, of which he was not the
only victim, strange things were repeated
every day. Tobacco-boxes left full nj
night were found empty In the morning
Sailors would be missing for whole day
and return unable to give any account o.
themselves. Sometimes they were found
by their officers in a state Of stupor
though not one had tasted drop o
liquor. .
On these occasions, they always saw
the ghost of Billy Morgan flying through
'.-.-'-, - dancing on the top of stceples
with u fiery tail Ifku ovu.!. AZ ,"nrt,
Tom Brown, after the usual nightly visit
disappeared, and was never heard o.
'aftelward. As the inherited chest o
clothes was found empty, 1t might have
been surmlscd that he had deserted, had
not sailor, on watch, solemnly declared
that he saw the ghost of Billy Morgan
Jump overheard with Tom In his arms
In q flameof fire, and that they Kissed
like red-hot ploughsharc In tho water,
With this bold feat the spectre took Its
final departure. After an absence Of two
or three years, the frigate returned; the
crew were paid or and discharged; and
rs an additional wonder attending her
memorable cruise, It Is recorded, on good
evidence, that their three years pay last.
cd some of them nearly three days. Not
a man of them doubted the reality Of the
ghost. Captain R-himself spoke OF
1t rs one of those strange, inscrutable
things which battle the efforts Of human
ingenuity, and seem to Justify the most
extraordinary relations of past and pres.
ent times.
Some years subsequent to his return
from the Mediterranean, Captain R,
being on journey to the westward. had
occasion to seek refreshments and lodg'
ings at log house on the borders OF Ten
nessee. A man came forth to receive him
whom he at once recognized as hi& old
acquaintance, Billy Morgan. ''lIcav'
ens!" thought Captain r., "hcrc's Mon.
sieur Tonson come again with a ven.
geancew Billy, who also found out who
his guest was when too late to retreat,
looked rather sheeplsli, and invited him
In with little of the frank hospitality Of q
genuine back woodsman. Captain R
followed him to the house, where he found
a comely, well-looking dame, aud two or
three yellow-haired boys and girls, all In
q flustcr ut the stranger. The habitation
had an air OF comfort, and the mistress,
by her cheerful aspect and activity, seem
cd pleased at the rare incident OF avisitoi
entering their door. Billy was Mt first
shy and awkward, but, finding himself
treated with cordial frankncss, he, In the
course of the evening, when the children
were In bed, and the wife busy milking
the cows, thus accostcd his old command.
er. "Captain, hope you don't mean to
shoot me for desertionr'
"By no means" said the Captain pleas.
antly: ''there would be little use In shoot
Ing ghost, or man with us many lives
as cat" Billy smiled rather melan-
choly smile. ''Ah, Captain, you have
not forgot the ghost, I see; but 1t Is
long time to remember an old score, and
hope you'll forgive me-"
''On one condition will, )" replied Cap
tain R. "that you will tell me honest
ly how you managed to make all my SAIL
ors believe that they saw you night AFTER
night. OH board the ship, rs well rs on
Shore"
"They did see me-" replied Billy, In his
usual sepulchral voice.