The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1873-10-02
THE GHOST OF HARLEY.

!, Every one knows that the Bermuds
or Somers island are cluster of about
three hundred small islands, fifteen OF
sixteen only of which are of inhabitabls
size, situated IN the western part of the
Atlantic ocean, about six hendred miles
from cape Hatteras, in North Carolina.
Their names are derived from Ber.
mudez, a Spaniard, who sighted them
in the year Of 1927 but they were first
settled under Admiral Sir George Som,
ers, who vas shipwrecked here in 1903,
on his way to Virginia. The largest Of
these islands is Bermuda proper, con.
tanning an area of about twenty square
miles, on which is Hamilton, the CHIEF
town and seat of government. At the
! time in question, his Britannic majesty s
one hundred and eighth regiment OF
foot was quartered at Hamilton; and a
more pleasant military station could
hardly be found anywhere abroad.
These coral creations are Of wondrous
beauty and fertility-the most delicious
fruits and flowers being found in abun-
dance, as well as escalent roots of many
kinds, to say nothing of the far-famed
arrow root which is here of excellent
quality. The sea supplies fish in great
numbers and of fine flavor, while turtle
enough are taken daily to tempt an
epicurean alderman to lay down his
robe and chain, fee the city, and revel
in paradise of calipash and calipee.
Society, too, though necessarily not
large, is composed of highly agreeable
material, and the beauty of the Bermu-
dan la5ies is proverbial.
Among the junior officers of the one
hundred and eighth was Lieutenant
Tomlyn, a richly gifted man in other re-
spects. Although prompt and active in
those military duties which are the
pride of every member of the service to
perform with alacrity and precision, he
was slow to join his brother officers In
the amusements and gayeties of the
quarter; and without being actually
morose, he was at least dull and re-
served amid the flowing hilarity which
surrounded him. Moreover, ghen in
olined to conversation at ali, he seemed
to have bu5 one topic, and that was his
unbelief in the existence of the Deity.
To persons educated from childhood,
as his companions had been, to accept
the Christian faith in all singleness, it
may readily be imagined that Tomlyn
soon became a decided bore all were
alike disguised at heart with the mOnot-
onousness, and distastefulness of his
theme and while the older members
would sometimes kindly hint change
of the subject, the juniors would not
hesitate to express themselves in candid
condemnation or in pointed sarcasm.
1t so happened that the yellow fever
made its appearance about this time,
and though the most excellent sanitary
arrangements were made by the milli-
tary authorities, the soldiers did not en-
tirely escape the seourge. The virulence
of the fell disease was, however, of COM
paratively short duration and on its
subsistence, party of convalescent meu
we're ordered to Halifax for change of
air, that their full recovery might be the
more thoroughly assured. OF this party
Lieutenant Harley was put in command.
Now, of all the regimeutal companions,
none were more wearied of Tomlyn's
everlasting droning Of his stupid plati-
tudes than Harley himself ; and so, on
taking leave preparatory to his sailing
In the brigantine which was to trans
port him and his men to the mainland,
he said, +" Good-by, Tomlyn; if any
thing should happen to me, be assured
my spirit viii return to you, and let you
know whether you are right or wrong"
An incredulous smile was almost the
sole reply. The embarkation was effec-
ted, and the vessel, spreading her white
sails to the breeze, soon disappeared
from the island. The day was followed
by moonlight night of SURPRISING
beauty, and the destroying angel hav-
ing now stayed his hand, the night-sir
was freely breathed and enjoyed, after
leaving the mess-room, till the hour of
retiring. Young Harley's parting words
had been referred to in Tomlyn's i'm
mediate hearing during the evenings
festivities; indeed, enc of the junior
captains had directly said "By the
way, Tomlyn, what would you think if
disaster were to occur to the brigan-
tine and Harley's spirit should come
back ?" Nothing less than that, " said
Tomlyn, witha cold smile, "would con
vince me-" And SO the party separated
for the night
TornIyn repaired to his baErack-room,
and after having locked his door, as
was his custom got into bed. While he
lay ''courting the balmy" oddly
enough, grew uncertain. coy" and re-
fused to be wooed, for he was unusually
wakeful and restless-the door, TO his
utter amazement and Consideration,
slowly opened, and 10 and behold,
entered Harley, his face of deathiy pal
ior, his hair hanging in dark locks on
his shoulders, his clothes dripping
water. Tomlyn recoiled and shivered
as he beheld the frightfui apparition
but no words can describe his horror
MnCA LAGAAGFg WIN . ADEh ia HAe-e1y
solemnity in his eye in his own voice,
though that was now Of deepest sepul-
chral tone, his right arm slowly raised,
the index-hngare pointing upward, ad-
dressed him :: euoubtless thers is God
that iudgeth the earth" The shrek
which Tomyln uttered had barely
ceased when the locked door recpened.
and the figure, slowly retiring, vanished
from his sight All thoughts of slumber
now hed poor Tomlyn. That look -
Shst voice Whist would he not have
given for the power Of obliterating from
thought and memory the blasphemous
utterances which, II was now clear, tone
had come from the dead" 70 reprove.
Tomlya now exhibited a marked
change. To be sure, be substantially
related the story Of the appariation sud
its. stsztIins Eozsss 70 his broshaz-of5cers,