The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1882-02-10
THE SECRET OF THE SEA.

The story am about TO relate de-
scribes an actual occurrence.
The recompense that came so speed
lily, and IN such a singular manner, to
the principal actor in the events that are
portrayed. will no doubt suggest to san
guine temperaments proyidentlal IN
reference. The real names of the per-
sons thus brought to the notice OF the
reader, have, of course, withheld.
Uncle Simon, as he was called, lived
on small island III the Casco bay, on
the coast OF Maine. He was simple
minded but hard working fisherman of
great integrity of character.
During the summer months, large
schools of hake frequent the muddy
bottom in the bay, atfordng rich har-
vest TO the fishermen along the coast.
As these fish take the hook best IN the
night, it is the custom OF the fishermen
to go in their small boats to the fishing
ground about sunset and fish till day
break, or somewhat later.
One forenoon Ill July, Uncle Simon
was returning to the shore from baking
after q successful nights work. The
hight wind was barely sufficient to give
his heavlly-laden boat steerdge- way and,
weary from his toll, the old mau WAS
noddmg at the helm. Suddenly his half
closed eyes caught sight OF dead body
In the water, just ahead oil his boat.
SO startling sight reused Uncle
Simon thoroughly. tie opened his eyes
wide, for just one moment, then lowered
his sail, and, reaching out his boat
hook. drew the dead body toward him.
1t proved to be that OF a man, floating
face downward. The skirts of his coat
were thrown up over his shoulders, and
from deep inside pocket OF the skirts
protruded large leathern pocket book.
All that prevented this book from
falling out was the lining of the pocket,
which was OF cotton cloth, and being
saturated by the water, held it. 1t at
once attracted Uncle Simons notice,
and he drew 1t forth and placed it Ill the
boat.
The body had been so long in the
water that 1T could not be taken into the
boat, but Uncle Simon, 10y means OF
rope. towed it to the island.
GA examining the pocket BOOK nefound
that IL contained large amount of
money in bank bills, which were soaked
with water, but not otherwise injured.
nothing but poverty to look forward to
IN his old age. This money was like a
mine OF wealth i'll his eyes. Men have
been murdered, and souls have been lost
for smaller amount than that pocket
book contained.
What was to hinder him from calling
it his own? No living creature was
within five or six miles of him. He was
utterly alone. As he towed the body to
the land, how easy it would have been
to have kept the book, and then to allow
the volceless ocean to swallow up the
dead body: Who would have known his
But it is the inward inclination that
gives force to temptation, and there was
nothing in the nature OF this simple fish
erman that could SO incline his upright
mind as to make it yield. He took the
pocket book with him, and, after reach
ing home. he dried the bills. and then
carefully recounted them. There were
$3.50.
From letters and bills in the book, he
ascertained that the body was that OF a
Capt. Small, who, some weeks before,
had run his vessel on Hallway rock Ga
dry ledge midway between Cape Eliza
beth and Cape Small Point, and had
lost her.
He also ascertained that the vessel was
owned IN North Yarmouth, neighbor-
ing town. At once he sent word to the
owners, one of whom camo to the island.
They knew what freight-money the
Captain had in his possession, for he had
written to them from his lust port OF de-
parture. On counting the money, 1t
was found the right amount TO dollar.
About fortnight after this, the old
man was going home in his boat from
Drunken Ledge, where he had been to
fish for rock-cod, when he came across
raft of drift wood. There was but
little wood on his island, and Uncle
Simon, like most of his neighbors, was
Obliged to purchase his fuel.
He took in sail and set to work pick
ing up the wood. While thus occupien,
he saw something bobbing up and dowd
in the water that excited his curiosity,
and which proved to be the handle of a
mallet, the mallet itself being under
water.
He drew it toward him, and, aftcr ex-
aiming il with some attention, said to
himself, =" ITS master heavy. Some for
eign wood, / guess. 1t don't look as il
it had been used any. declare /
wouldn't believe it could float if | hadn't
seen it with my own eyes. II didn't but
just float, though. Anyhow, it's good
mallet, and it'll come handy in the
shop.
Uncle Simon had small shop, where
he made lobster traps and repaired boats
in the winter, when the weather was too
rough TO FISH. He put the mallet on the
bench among his tools, and thought no
more of it for months.
A common ioiner's mallet is about six
inches long, by three IN diameter at the
ends, with a swell III the middle, and
is usually made bv being turned in o