The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1869-02-04


would like to look and see that her hu
bands corpse was safe. This reque.
was of course readily granted, and on
of them lifted off the hatch that sh
might go down into the hold.
II declare" said Dan Carter, an oil
sailor, who was at the wheel, "she take
on dreadful"
"Yes, poor thing!" said Tucker, as h
heard her sobs and groans.
Dye notice what'n eye she's got %
continued Carter.
NO." said Tucker, "only 'twa
swollen with tears.'
"My eyes! but they shone, though
when she stood here looking at tn,
compass. II <esaz >@.a-5
Tucker smiled at tho mans oualn
earnestness, and without further remark
he went down to the cabin.
When the woman came up from the
hold, she looked about the deck of the
schooner few moments, and then wen,
aft. There was something in her coun.
tenance that puzzled Carter. He had
been one OF those who objected to the
coffln's being brought on board, and
hence he was not predisposed to look
1aVorably upon its owner. The woman s
eye ran over the schooner's deck with n
strange quickness, and Carter eyed her
very sharply. Soon she went to the
taftrall and looked over at the stern
boat, and then she CAME and stood by
the binnacle again.
Look out, or you'll jibe the boom,"
uttered the passenger.
Carter started and found that the
mainsail was shivering. He gave the
helm couple of spokes apart, and then
cast his eyes again upon the woman,
whose features were lighted up by the
pinnacle lamp.
"Ihank'e ma'am,' said Dan. "Ha,
hold on-why bless my soul, there's
big spider right on your hair. No-not
there. Here-I'll-Ugh!'
This last ejaculation Dan made as he
seemed to pull something from the wo-
man hair which he threw upon the
deck with the "ugh" above mention
ed
Shortly after, the passenger went be-
low, and ere long Tucker came on
deck.
"Commodore," said Carter with re-
markable degree of earnestness in his
manner, sis the oman turned in:"
Il rather think So" said Tucker
looking at the compass. "Look out,
you're two points to uh-'' '' '''.'e'
the course.'
elbow me, SO am,' said the man,
bringing the helm smartly aport. "But
say, didn't ye.notice anything peculiar
about the old 'oman?n
"Why Dan, you seem greatly inter
ested about her.
$50 | am, commodore, an so l am
about the coffin, too. Wouldn't it be
well for you and to overhaul it:n
"Pshaw. you are as scared as child
in graveyard
"No, not bit. Just bark bit.
That 'oman amt no 'oman"
The commodore pronounced the name
of his Satanic Maje in the most en-
phatic manner.
Its the truth, commodore-I can
swear to it. l purtended there was
spider on her hair, and / rubbed my
hand agin her face. BY Sam Hyde, if
it wasn't as rough and bearded as an
holyston.. You see, she told me as
how I'd let the boom jiJe if I didn't |
look out. I know'd there wasn't no
'oman there, and so / tried her. Cali
somebody at the wheel, and let's go and
look ut that cof1in.'
The commodore was wonder struck by
what he had heard, but, with that calm
presence of mind that made him what
he was he sat there cooly thinking. In
a few minutes he called one Of the men
aft to relieve Carter, and then he went
down to look after his passenger. The
latter had turned in, and seemed to be
sleeping. Tucker returned, and took
Carter one side
NO noise, now, Carter; follow me as
though nothing had happened"
"Sartin.
The two approached the main hatch
and stopped to raise it, when Dan's hand
touched a small ball that seemed to have
been pinned up under the after break
of the hatch.
''lts ball of twine,n said he.
Don't touch it; but run and get
lantern," replied Tucker.
Carter sprang to obey, and when he
returned a number of the men had gath
cred about the spot. The hatch was
raised, and the commodore carefully
picked up the ball of twine, and found
that it was made fast to something be-
low. He descended to the hold, and
there he found that the twine ran be-
meath the lid Of the coffin. He had no
doubt in his mind low, that there was
mischief boxed below, and he sent Car
ter for something that might answer for
screw driver. The man soon returned
with stout knife, and the commodore
set to Work. He worked very carefully,
hny Of -.