The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1881-05-17
THE HAUNTED ISLAND.

Accepting an Invitation from a
ya,ching friend TO 60 on a summer
cruise, some ycars ago, VIC found our
selves one ballnly Afternoon, sailing
along the iron bound coast of Maine,
and enjoying the beauty Of the scene.
ry, with the ocean on our right, and
innualorable islands, some OF them
bold aud rocky, others green and in-
vi,ing, upon our left.
My friend, whom shall call Dale
Drummond, was man OF 30, and
had been a sad wandcrer since, at
Is, he lett home to 20 into the navy
as 3 Midship,nan.
Though all that knew him lelt that
he had a history of deep Interest,
there were none who cared to ask
him OF the past, aud, excepting that
he came OF q good family, aud at 70
had resigned from tho navy to enjoy
a fortune left to him, little was
known regarding him.
You run IN among these islands,
Drunmond, as though you wore in
open water, l said, seoing how, as l
thought, rccklcssly he steered his
pretty schooner yaich among the
dangerous sunkcn rocks aud many
islets that we're now upon every side,
for we had headed in shore.
know these waters as | do my
mo,hor's face, aud better, for l have
never seen her siuce was wee
child, he answered, aud after a mo.
ment continued as he pointed to q
lordly villa league away
Do You see that mansion yonder
looking out from that forest
l answered in the affirmative aud
added:
A second Que, a league down the
coast.
Yes; IN the one | was born; IN the
otherl had my hope for the future
dashed TO tho earth forever.
lie spoke bitterly, and | saw that
he was much moycd, as he gazed
upon the two old houses, both ol
which, as We drew nearer, seemed
crumbling TO decay.
Colonel, we'il drop anchor under
the lee OF yonder wili-looking is
land, which remember is said to be
haunted, and, II you care to accompa
ny me, we win 60 oyer and have
look at the old homcstcads, for
have not been here for twelve years
OF course, 1 was only too glad tt
20, aud, hall an hour after, we land
ed, on the main shore; and, ascending
10 the cliff atove, found ourselves ii
what had once been the handsome
grounds Of a fine old mansion, bu
which now was dcsolated and time
| worn.
There is my home; no one dwelll
here now, for my father cut me Of
from my inheritance, and left til,
place 10 q distant relative IN England
and yet, strange to say, yonder othel
homesteadis is mine, for II was left m,
by tho only being l eyer loved; but
have not dared comc here until to
day.
We stood together. gazing upor
the two old mansions whose broat
acres joined together about hal
way between the homesteads, aud
being Ia q communicative mood
Drummoud went on, In his easy way
| III tell you the story, Colonel
though never speak OF the past, a
It is sad to think OF 1t, l can assur
you.
/ was born IN that old place, as
told you, my father ana mother com
ing there a year before my birth, an,
they we're English. .l
| Uf his past, or my mothers, m,
father never spoke, and l remembe
him as o dark faced, stern man of &c
and nearly double the age OF hi
wife. e fts ~
| He never went from home, lived II
luxury, seemed TO possess unlimite'
means, and was very stern, silen
man, while my mother was a sad
faced woman; and, up to my II
year, when she died. I remember sh
often wept, and seemed ever TO hav
somo deep grief at heart.
| Procuring tutor for ME, my fath
or felt that he had done bis duty b
me, and l was allowed to do just as
pleased; aud 1 hunted or fishe
more than l studied. ff
! One day went, from.a motive {
dare-doviltry, alone to yonder islam,
| which every one Stunned on acconr
OF its being said TO be haunted b
the ghost OF a crew lured to wrec
there by a false beacon.
! / found no ghosts there but l di