Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1872-05-02
THE RESI- UE.

From Owens " FOOTBALLS"
Mr.. Robert Bruce, originally de.
sccnded from some branch of the Scot
fish family of that name, was born. IN
humble circumstances, about the close
of the last century, ut Torbay, III the
south OF England, and there bred up
to a seaiaring Iife.
When about thirty years of age, to-
wit, in the year 1898, he was first mate
of "A barque trading between Liverpool
and St. Johns, New Brunswick.
On one of her voyages bound west
ward, being some five or six weeks out,
and having neared the eastern portion
Of the banks of Newfoundland, the cap
tam and mate had been on deck at
noon, taking an observation of the sun;
after which they both descended to cal
culnte the days work
The cabin n small one, was immedl-
ately at the stern of the vessel, and the
short stairway descended 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
or 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 one sitting mt 1T and look
ing over his shoulder could look INTO
the cabin
The mate. absorbed in bis calcula-
tions, which did not result MS he had
expected, varying considerably from
the dead reckoning, had not noticed
the captains motions When he had
completed his calculations, he called
out without looking around, Il make
ont latitude and longitude 50 and SO.
Can that be right How is yoursf
Receiving no reply, he repeated his
question, glancing over his shoulder,
and perceivLg, as he thought, the cap
tam busy writing ON his slate. Still no
answer Ihereupon he rose, and as he
fr0nted the cabin door, the figure he
had mistaken for the captain raised Its
head, and disclosed to the astonished
mate the features of an entire stranger.
Bruce WAS no coward, but, as he met
that fixed gaze looking directly at him
IN grave silence, and became assured
that il was no one whom he had ever
seen before, II was too much for him
and instead of stopping to question the
seeming intruder, 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 matter with
you ~
- The matter, SIR Who is that at
your desk r.
mo one that | know of. g
But there IS, sir; there's strang
er there.
"A stranger Why, man, you must
he dreaming You must be dreaming
You must have seen the steward there
OF the second mate Who else would
venture there without orders ~
" But, sir, he was sitting IN your
armchair. froutinr the door, writing
ON your slate Then he looked up fun
In my face, and If ever | saw man
plainly and distinctly III this world, |
saw him.
" Hin Whom"
God knows, sir, | don't. | saw
man, and q man | never saw in my life
before.
"lou must bc going crazy, Mr..
Bruce. \ stranger, and We nearly six
We. ks ont ="
I don't know, sir, but then saw
hm.
=" Go down and see who he is.
Bruce hesitated. - uever was a be-
lever in ghosts, he said. "but ii the
truth must be told, sir. ia rather not
face it alone
Come, come, man, so down II once,
and don make toolotyoursct before
the crew.
Il hope you always found me will
me 3 30 what's reasonable, Bruce re-
Piled changing color but II it's MA
the same tokou, sir, Idrather we should
both 50 down together
The captain descended tic stairs, ana
tn mate followed him Nobody i0 the
cabin They eNamined tue state rooms.
Not a soul 10 IS found