The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1877-07-12
The Spectre Of the Wreck.

The Spectre OF the wreck.
One dark aud stormy night. when the
wild waves flung themselves msdly
upon the Jersey shore. q boat was hauled
upon the sandy beach and dashed to
pieces.
Several bold fishermen. watching the
storm, saw the dark object hurled
ashore, rushed down and drew from the
merciiess sea the body of man. sense
less and emanciated.
He was taken at once to the comfort
able cabin home of Eli Stafford, the
boldest fisher Oh the coast. ami was
found 10 he . young man OF scarcely
twenty-five. handsome In face and form.
and osaring the appearance OF having
been born gentleman.
One os his arms WAS broken by a
bullet wound, and he showed other evil
denccs of hard treatment; yet he lived.
for spark of life still caused his heart
To heave irregularly.
\ severe illness followed and it W.
long weeks ere Mayo Melville. for such
he said Was hrs na,ue. was enabled 10
tell ~ ho hs was.
Of the pas, he said little, aud seemed
ever ts be hiunted by some dread me
nories,
Expressiu. no desire 10 leave the
fishing hamlet. he attached himself 10
Eli SANFORD and tho two became as
fatber and son. for they were always
together.
In time Mays Melville became
known as the boldest seaman on the
coast, aud whenever storm swept the
sea- aud ship was in danger, he WAS
] the irs, 10 20 out TO the aid of her dis
pairing crew.
Thus IA year passed away, and one
bright, moonlight night, small fleet OF
iish,rg smacks stood rapidly into the
harbor under full sail
Eli and Mayo had not yet left their
anchorage. and, surprised at the return
of their comrades, they sought the
shore Ia learn the cause.
Il WAS soon told
Up aud down the coast of late there
had been weird stories told Of u haunt
cd hulk floating upon the 5
Evidently the wreck of some large
vessel. tor only the hull and three
stumps OF masts remained, II MAS I'D
II be haunted spectre, that would
wave It's white arms and shout in sepul-
chral tones across the waters
Sail ho sail no ahoy alloy
only at nigh, had this strange wreck
and its spectre been seen. aud yet. when
several were bold enough 10 stand to-
wards II. il would seem To f'v from
them. though no sails were visible.
Such were the strange stories told of
the spectre oi the wreck. and such was
the sight tha, had met the gaze of the
fishers. who had gone 10 toll III the sea
for their livelihood
Pools why didvou not go on board
the wreck :" said Mayo Melville con.
,emptuously.
What, board WI whar there's
. speert? Yer better do it yerself,"
said an old weather -teaten fisherman.
Il will do II. Eli. can | take your
craft
Mayo, my toy. you'd better let the
speeri, rest. II 'tsiut no use. son, go
IN arter things that amt o tais world.
demonstrated Eli Sanford,
"No. am going 10 the wreck; caa l
take your boat" firmly respond, i
MAYO.
"Tll 30 with you, son.
And iu ten minutes more the little
smack was standing out Of the harbor
before stiff breeze
Lightly over the crested waves glljed
the little vessel. until the land was lar
a,tern. bat still on she held her course.
Mayo Melville at the helm. and his
keen eyes fixed upon a dark object fax
out upoE the waters, and growing more
sud more distinct.
An hours sail and the wreck "
plainly visible--a long. dark hull. ri.-
/ ing high oat Of the water, and with
three stumps Of the mas's tia, had oncc
lowered far atzavs the deck.
On board ait Was quiet, an's as the
+ little craft rup alongside, nowhere v'si-
Ole was the spectre o. which such welr'i
! stories were told.
Fastening tie boat. the two men
were soon on deck. aud then, VI w'ld
! eyes and haggard face. Nayo Melville
glanced aruuua him. while lie ~ Il IN q
husky voice, olGtchiug firmly Ia his
tr,eud's arpa
Ia sanford. have told you that
sA,is~i from EugjAud happy man. All
tha, was the oaly survivor at ih'
vessel
Bu; have Rot told VOC that my
youus bi,de accompanied ne, and that
wc mere seeking AuaerIcS 10 find h~r,
pleasant home.
Bas - II ~As. yet. alas "ur Se-se
MAS caught in terrible storm, DIS
nsas,e,i. and va all believed she ~s'
sinking. and took ;o the beats
When all Mas In readiness to gn.
returnc.: - the csein f1r baudie o
extra clothing for my wife, ant faf'
~eu; forward ~ secure more prov *
ions
"Re.nrntnss 10 "a. S.rA | found tia,