The National tribune., 1882-05-06

unusual noise
l had only to wait half minute The
groan was repeated, only fainter, but still
the noise seemed nearer me. You may
guess that this time there was no doubt of
my being wide awake. 4 third groan, still
fainter, but yet distinct rolled out of
my berth, and coming to my feet, rallied
against the door and stood with the knob in
my hand.
1t lay in the lower berth. It's eyes were
wide open and staring at me. It's face was
liyid in the dim light, and there was an
ugly red cash IN its cheek
For second we stood staring at each
other. Then he-I had forgotten to men
tion that it was a he and that it was dressed
in the habilments of its sex-he stretched
oEt his arm as he lay there, and pointing his
finger at me, said, three times, slowly and
distinctly:
Murdered! Murdered, Murdered!n
do not quite know what it is proper to
do when one sees ghost of this disagreeble
species. None of my friends ever confided
to me that he was haunted, and although
L have seen a great number of theatrical
spirits, they are very different things from
the reality. l know how Hamlet was exer-
cised both in mind and body VIXEN he sees
the ghost OF his father, late king of Den
mark. know how Richard Ill behaves
when he sees the apparition of his victims
| as he lies asleep in his tent. | have seen the
low comedian in certain farce 90 into the
most ridiculous contortions at the sight of a
Ivlng man whom he supposes to be quite
dead. Perhaps if | had a pistol, should
have fired it at it, but | very much doubt
this. What l actually did was to turn the
Key III the lock, open the door, leaving my
pocket-knife to lie when it fell, and keeping
my eyes steadily upon 1t, to see that it did
not spring upon me, backed quietly out of
the state-roOm into the cabin, and closed the
door after me.
When | got into the cabin, began to feel
as If / had better sit down very soon In
mediately opposite my state-room door was
the colored stewardess of the boat. sitting bolt
upright, but half asleep and uneasily nod
ding. When l sat down close by her, she
woke up with a great start Her astonish-
ment was not altogether unreasonable. |
suppose that the sight of middle-aged gen
tleman, rather bald, without either his
boots, his collar, his coat, or his waistcoat
meandering about the cabin at that hour of
the night, was rather unusual
Lor' bless you how he scared me g." she
cried out why, what on airths de mat
ter. You look as pale as ef you'd seen a
ghost"
Well, have seen something great deal
like one" | answered.
"When ?n
In my state-roOm -72, there.n
Some persons will laugh when I say that
the colored stewardess turned very pale at
the avOwal, which the next moment | felt
rather ashamed at havingmade. Those who
are familiar, however, understand very well
that pallor is quite as conspicuous on their
faces as on those of the white races.
Guess you're mistaken, sir" she returned
" I've been runnin' on this boat ever sence
she was built, and I never seed no ghost"
And never knew of any murder?n
Never heered Of no murder neither?"
Well, just saw a man there, lying in
berth, with a cash in his face, who said he
had been murdered. He may be ghost,
and he may not, but l know he was not
there when I went to sleep"
Guess you've been dreamin', sir" said
the stewardess; but she grew visibly paler."
Do you think Pm q fool, woman? | tell
you | saw this just as plain as see you. |
don't believe in ghosts, myself. | don't
know what it was, but [ saw it,"
Well! WE'LL" said the stewardess: I
declare!" Then, after a moment" Well, |
any way, de boat'll be in now in a few min
utes, so you needn't 90 back"
Yes; but can't go ashore in my shirt
sleeves"
I'll go and get yer things fur yer"
TO my surprise, the steWardess rose, and |
without hesitation walked to the state-room
door, opened it and disappeared inside
closing it after her. | watched her with some
satisfaction, confess. II seemed to me that il |
must still be there, and l was very willing |
another person should bear witness to its ap-
pearance. l waited anxiOusly for a scream. |
Some moments elapsed, and / mechanically |
felt for my watch and money. They were
safe, and j was no robber at all events.
The door opened again and the stewardess |
appeared, calmly bearing my clothes. my !
bag, my boots, and my flask. 1 found my .
hands shaking little as I drew on my |
b0ots but do not think | had been more
frightened than any other man would have |
been under the circumstances.
"Well! " said TO the stewardess. 1 be-
gan to feel as if l had made a great fool of .
myself
We'll" said she, al didn't see no ghost.
Guess you have been dreamin', sir, sartin
sure"
knew that I had not been dreaming; but
what could l say? | did not wish to be
laughed at, and when had dressed myself
put five dollars in her hand and requested
her to say nothing about the ghost. OF
course she very readily assented.
Then went to the state-room door and
looked in, the stewardess following me as if
anxious l should show her the apparition,
She was quite right The berths and the
room were empty; glance around showed
that very plainly. The stewardess offered
to take my key; but I showed her by NV
o4oI, hot l,o hoo