Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1881-12-30
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to my sight and the white rows ofteeth
seemed to mock. and grin at me
in my despair. l was bat
yonngster. and l could bear the
horrible phantasy no longer; my over.
strained nerves relaxed, and I swooned
How long l remained unsconscious
! cannot tell. but when my senses re-
turned heard noise short distance
ahead of where l lay, and saw ray Of
yellow light CLEAN through the intersti-
ces Of some loosely slowed packages
on my right: Then the sound of
mans voice fell upon my ear, and by
the tone of it knew that sailor
named Carstairs was IN the vicinity Of
where lay.
"It's a good thing for us the mate
thinks it's the lumps as breaches the
cargo, or we'd never get drop of this
liquor. say, Bill, can't we smuggle
off enough to last the voyage homes" I
heard him say.
"Carstairsw halloed, in faint voice
that sounded strangely unnatural even
to myself. "Help! I'm jammed up
in here"
heard a crash Of glass: as If bottle
had been let fall.
"Bill! Bill! did you hear that!" half
shrieked the terror-stricken sailor.
"'Tis summat onnat'ral, anyhow.
Let's get out. O. this, Joe. knew no
good would ever come of this way of
doing business" replied his compan-
ion.
l halloed again, louder and more
distinctly.
"For mercy's sake. don't leave me
here to die" cried.
That's the third mates voice, for
sure" said Carstairs. What's he arter
down here! Spyin' on us, l .'pose. But
ifhe's got hurt, it's the best we should
60 and help him; he's not 4 bad sort,
and perhaps won't split on US"
Fhnging cases and bales aside, they
advanced quickly toward me guided by
voice, as repeatedly hailed them. At
last one case stood between them and
me; they rolled it away and grasped the
one beneath which l lay.
care you much hurt, sir?" asked
Carstairs.
II can scarcely TELL" l replied, as
they lifted me up. Then l pointed in
the direction of the skeleton. "Look
therc!!" said.
"Mercy! mercy!" cried the sailor, his
stalwart form trembling all over as his
gaze fell upon the ghastly figure which
the glare of the lamp revealed to US in
all its responsiveness. otis some poor
fellow who's slowed himself away for
the passage, he added, when the first
agony of surprise had passed away.
l was sorely bruised, but no bones
were broken. The sailors assisted me
along until got under the main hatch.
way; then they went up on deck, via the
forecastle, and told the mate the
thought some one was down the hold.
He, thinking had made a capture,
opened the hatch, and l was hoisted,
more dead than alive, from the hold be-
meath.
I explained all to the mate, except
The part relating to the two sailors, for
did not wish to get them into trouble,
as they had aided me; and thenext day
the remains of the unfortunate stow.
away we're brought upon deck. From
paper found in the pocket of his coat
We ascertained his name and residence,
md afterward learned that the unfortu.
1ats man had wished TO join his sweet
heart in Australia, but having no mon.
y to pay for passage. he had slowed
himself away in the pump-well, whence
10 sound could reach to the deck, and
10 met the terrible fate l have re-
corded.
There was no more cargo broached
it night aboard the "Watsr Nymph
hat trip.
The Rev. DR.. Collyer tells this story
# a wedding in New Yorkshire. As
he man came out of church with his
'ride, he met an old companion, who
aid. "There, lad, wish thee much joy;
hou's gotten tend of thy troubles" 1t
vas very good to be assured OF that
nd the bridegroom went on his way
ejoicing; but by and by he found he
ad made most unfortunate choice.