River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1873-09-19

him "Doubtless there as God that
iudgeth the earth.p The shrek which |
Tomlyn uttered had barely ceased when
the locked door reopened, and the figure,
slowly retiring, vanished from his sight. |
All thoughts Of slumber now fed poor
Tomlyn That look that voice What
would he not have given for the power Of
celebrating from thought and memory the
blasphemous utterances which, it was now
clear, " one had come from the dead" to
reprove.
Tomlyn now exhibited marked change
To be sure, he substantially related the
story OF the apparit;on and its startling
words TO his brDther.oihcers, and en-
| deavored to force upon their doubling
minds the reality Of his sad experience
with the most solemn asseverations;
and henceforth grew more silent and
gloomy day by day. No question OF the
fact found any response; no badnage
produced any effect no suggestion Of
imposition of feigned identity was for a
moment entertained.
Meanwhile, weeks passed away, and
then month. The brigantine, which
should have accomplished her voyage in
four or five days at the utmost, was never
heard of from tho day OF her departure
from the island, and confirmation y
became "strong as proofs OF Holy
Writ
Tomlyn, feeling himself growing more
and more unfit for further service, resigned
his commission and returned to England,
where he subsequently died of "a low lever,
some two years after the event have
been relating.
The mysterious incident became known
las indeed how could it be otherwise p
to the people Ct the town, who communi.
Gated it freely TO th1ir friends abroad .
and in spite of the deprecatlng efforts of
the officers Of the regiment, who did all in
their power TO suppress all reference to the
subject, 1t became topic of worldwide
speculation and wonder. Harley's
promise at parting with Temlyn his APP
pearance to him ON the very night .lter,
and the loss osthe vessel with all ON board,
left no loop hole Of escape from natural
conclusion aud so it was quoted for years
as one of those inexplicable occurrences
where communications from the dead
must be held to be worthy Of belief
Time sped on its devouring course. The
regiment had long been relieved at Hamil.
ton, and had served with distinction in the
Crimea, and also in India, whence it was
once ordered home to await its inevitable
duty OF tapping its drum in some other
cline, TO that sun which, in the words of
the great Webster, never rises or sets
without music. | was now in America,
and on my way to the West, a day pas
senger on one Of those palatal steamers
which ply the lordly Hudson, A fellow
passenger, in casually directing my atten-
ton to the beauty of particular point of
scenery which sudden turn in the river
! disclosed, betrayed voice which struck
me as being familiar. am near sighted,
and depend tor recognition OF my friends
tar more on my ears than my eyes; in
deed, voice | have once heard is never
wholly forgotten. My excited attention
was, therefore, directed more closely to
the features OF my unexpected companion,
whom had now approached quite nearly
Tor the sake OF continuing 4 conversation
which accident had begun. "God bless
mem | exclaimed, in genuine astonish-
ment, Is this Captain Wilton ~ | was
both right and wrong found my old
friend Charles (now Coloner Wilton at
my side; for, since we had met lang
syne,' successive promotions had placed
him at the head of bis regiment, the One
Hundred and Eighth. He had obtained
liberal leave OF absence after his severe
and continued active service, and was re-
cruiting his health, which had suffered
much, especially in India, by travelling
In this country. As our respective families
, had been near neighbors at home, and our
! personal feelings were always Of the
. warmest, the JOY OF our meeting-so FAR
: from home, too-may we'll be Imagined
s Among the many themes of talk for which
5 " the deep cavern OF memory" began to
II DC ransaeked as the time for part ng APP
e proached-and this was not I'LL we had
y spent three merry days together--I alud.
ed inquiringly to the story Of Tomlvn at
II Bermuda. A burst Of laughter-not
d wholly unmixed, as it seemed 70 me. with
Y a tinge OF pity-was, at first, nv friends
y only rely. As soon az be recovered
y gravity enough for continuity, the dread
Ie mystery was unrayelled in few words
Iy Tomlyn was stupid fellow and 4 bore.
a Harley was overheard in his leave taking
ID by young REstrango, as merry a lad -
IL ever breathed, and who, among many
Iy amusing talents, possesses that of mimicry
y in high degree. He conceived and
10 carried out, unknown To any one of Ms Mt
70 the time, the apparition Of Harley, who
g and this coincidence was the most wonder.
4 lnl ever knew-proved, after all, 70 have
y been indeed lost az sea, with all on board
ls When fomlyn's health continued to suffer
d under the malaiy which bic mental torture
:. had superinduced, EEstrange-all repent
y anoe, for he was truly distressed as the
" lasting effects Of the freak became ANN.
l. rent--conicssed the whole truth and sought
J. forgiveness with as true heart as ever
70 pleded. But Tomlyn was deaf TO every
Q thing IN the way Of explanation. Ills
d. mind had been filled with tho ghost Of
1t Harley, and no exorcist could be 70 nd
o The rest you know We were concerned
Is Tor some time un LEstrange's account
VI Tearing his thoughtless praoncal Joke Ola
u, dlreet violation OF the rules of service,
$ might reach the ear of the General com.