The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-04-13
THE TIMES, NEW BLOOMFIELD, PA, APRIL l8, 1880

Vnoy were reauy to snOut MIN praises all |
day long. In this, however, 1 did not
agree but unable to bring the tyrant to
justice single handed, resolved to quit
the Niger.
did so. After hiding in the woods
for several days, 1 was caught and |
brought back to the ship. AS my ad-
lures as fugitive are not essential to
the unfolding of my story, pass them
by, and take up the thread of my mar
rative.
When we set sail on our return voyage
captain Philips was an altered man. He
abstained from spirits, he controlled his
temper, and this, with the addition of
fine steady breeze, made our lives on
board happy. But alas we were DOOM
ed to sad ending up of the voyage
Keeping too near the land, and a squall
laying hold on the ship, we were driven
on q lee shore. 1t was just after mid
night when we struck, and leaping out
of my hammock, / ran on deck. 1
could see nothing save the wild waters
racing over the deck. cried out to my
sbipmates, but got no answer. 1t was
not possible to reach the after-part of
the vessel where the life belts were kept.
So acting on the impulse of the moment
1 leaped into the sea. Catching hold of
a friendly rock, was saved. Daylight
came after weary waiting. The first
thing saw was the dead body of poor
! Captain Philips, and not far from it was
that of our Chinese cook. The rest
were saved.
We made our way to Portland where
we were paid off. Thence proceeded to
San Francisco. l had often asked my
self whence came those strange voices
and fearful words which had so alarmed
our captain and put most of the crew in
terror, and had SO opportunely on one
occasion saved me from the vengence of
the captain. But it was beyond my
power to answer the inquiry neither
could the mate nor any of the survivors
throw light thefeupon. Had we known
what ventriloquisp was, we might have
found solution of the mystery but
l had never heard an adept in the art,
erwise L judge such fact would have
been mentioned, and the voices accoun-
ted for on that ground. Poor Chester,
when with us, our most intelligent ship
mate, seemed to be as much in the dark
as the rest of us, although be was not in
the least put out of the way by the oc-
currences. Strolling along the streets
of San Francisco one night, about year
| after the wreck, ready for anything in
the way amusement that might turn up
my eye caught large poster which an
| nounced the wonderful doings of Profess
sor Meredith, :" the unrivalled and
world-renowned ventriloquist."
This, thought 1, shall be the source of
my evenings enjoyment Turning my
face in the direction of the "Hall of
, Science and Emporium of Amusements,
I was soon seated in a snug corner of
the body of the building, and was not
long in being carried away by the won
derful sayings of the Professor. At last
he told us he would hold an imaginary
conversation with person up the
chimney. He did so. When, in the
midst of dialogue, the person up in the
fiue, gave derisive " Hah, hah, hah!"
l was startled. / sprang from my
seat. Surely" said half aloud ''those
are the voice and tone and words which
more than once came from the maintop
of the Niger" And while was star
ing at the Professor with eyes ready to
leap out of their sockets, he came to the
front of the stage to perform his part
Then; in spite of his flowing beard and
other decorations, saw in Professor
Meredith the identical Jack Chester who
over twelve months before, was believed
to have leaped, in fit of madness into
the sea.
Chester" cried out in my excite
ment.
Sit down ~ cried one 6 Put him
out ~ said some other. In the mean
time had come to myself and resumed
my seat, but not before 1 had gotten
from the Professor sign of recogni-
ton.
When the performance was over, my
old shipmate, (for it was he) beckoned
me to him, and taking me to his private
room, he grasped my hand in all the
fervency of ardent friendship.
Sit down Henry, my boy" he said,
and you shall have a solution of the
mystery which hangs over me end the
past"
I" How came you to be saved from a