Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1871-01-05


past day or SO, and making up my mind as
to my future proceedings; for I had not
| lost all feeling of prudence wanted to
know something Of the lady's antecedents
and connections--matters that concluded
/ could easily be arrived at in conversation
|, the next day.
| WAS standing quite in the shadow be
/ meath one of the quarter boats, aud i had
! just turned with the intention of descend
! ing, when some one passed me whom
| recognized TO be the secOnd-elass pass,n.
ger; and then for few moments heard a
/ low muunured conversation at short
/ distance, when the man passed me again,
| going forward
Five minutes after was al the saloon
| door, when a hearty clap on the shoulder
made rls taraa, 10 find that it was tie bag
man, who laughed softly at my angry face,
and then added ia his former ohtrls senesa
I by tnrhstli 1is hand into my side, as he
I Whisper TO ine,
| 81 say, my .ad, I'm going to open your
/ eyes for you tomorrow, so lnok out.
| There, don't be uppish come and have a
cigar up in the bows--iust one before you
I tuul in"
al am much obliged said; "but am
going to my berth
Just as you like" was the nonchaiant
reply, and he turned away.
Let me see" said the captain, at break
fast next morning; where's my friend
who sits third down on the leit-Mr. Lis
teri Steward, go and see if Mr.. Lister is
unwell again---no, not again, because he
seemed to be an old sailor--see If he's in
his cabin
The steward returned with reply in the
negative; when, supposing him to be on
deck, the breakfast was brought TO an enc,
and Mr. Lister. or as | called him. the bag
man, was forgotten.
The day passed and evening had arrived,
when, as / was sitting in sweet intercourse
with Miss Saville, Rumor's busy tongue
began to announce that Mr.. Lister was
missing.
/ Immediately recalled his promise to
open my eyes That day, and also that he
had invited me to go forward with him
to smoke cigar; and, know not why. a
strange feeling Of interest made me leave
my seat, apologize to Miss Saville, who
bowed stiflly and went below, while
walked forward to group to find the sub
iect in full discussion. Two of the watch
had seen him go forward with lighted ci-
gar between his lips, and perch himself
close to the bowsprit; but they could not
rrcoilect seeing him come back, though
one man had some faint idea of something
black coming close by him, hut he was not
sure.
More excited groups formed, and | soon
found that search had been made through
the steamer and that the captain was in
great trouble respecting the missing man
II I'D -, ,nt hn+ hn
fellow had chosen dangerous position
and had, without giving the alarIA, slipped
and fallen into the sea, to be borne under
in an instant by the huge cut-water of the
vessel,
shudderod; for thought that, had
~, ~, 4cd his iuyitation, might have Geer
him flll, and, if poweriess tu at@y L.-n,
stin have given the alarm, perhaps in time
for boat to have been launched
"Can any gentleman aiford any infor-
nation p said the captain, addressing tn'
group where i stood.
Il can only add, said The corrobora.
tive testimony that N.Y. Lister invited mt
to so forward witS aim, but declined
avon did not~go forward with linn
said the cs><ain.
MOI replied; and have M recol
.,~~scsoii OF seeing him c.ne back INTO the
Tsaloon. But stop | said, for ] had sud
/ denly encountered a close, searching gaze
/ directed at me there Is gentleman here
I who was talking to Mr.. Lister late last
( night" And pointed to the second class
passenger.
How do you know" he said, calmly
| regardless of the many eyes fixed upon
him.
Because stood by ono Of the quarter
boats when you came aft 10 speak 20 him
and also saw you go back"
Quite right" said the second class pas
senger
''Did you know Mr.. Iister'' said the
captain.
aYes, l knew him." said the other
calmly.
There seems to be some mystery here
said the captain. "Was he a friend ol
yours9"
"Yes," was the almost abrupt reply and
then, after moments silence, the second
class passenger walked quietly up to tho
captain took him by button, led him
apart and whispered o few words in his
ear.
sew the captain give slight start, stare
hard At the man, and then apparently ask =
question, when, whatever was the answer
he seemed satisfied, and gave orders for q
farther search, which was, however, futile.
was rot alone in directing curious
rlances at the second class passenger; bat
he was q quiet, dry.looking, closeshaven
man, with an apparent power Of shutting
himself up within himself; and he paeet.
the deck to and fro, with his hands behiDd
him, Il, fI-t;vp, thoughtful way, till all
searching was at an end, md the conciu.
sion arrived at that our luckless fellow
passenger had met his fate,
noticed that the quiet man. eyes were
fixed on me as | went 20 the saloon and
on going to where Miss Savilie was seated
strange feeling made me tarn my head
for an instant, 10 see that he was watch.
ing me from the door; but he disa11iGiSs.1s
on the instant.
Fall of the event, was about
knew 20 my eornpa .u.Iiiu ui1ilil