Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-08-21
Gales aud Sketfhes.
4 frse Ghost Story.
By E. ]. BIDDLE.

Sitting one eve ing with young Omcei
who had already made himself distingu-
ished for cool courage and love OF ad-
venture, and whom his brother soldiers
consider the best pistol-shot in the army.
the conversation happened to turn upon
the almost universal belief in the super
natural.
We discussed the genii of the tales Of
the East, the witches and ghosts 80 gen.
orally accepted century or two ago. and
the Spiritualists of to-day. Suddenly F.
turned to me and said:
Perhaps you may be surprised if | tell
you true ghost story; one l can vouch
for myself"
Knowing him to be confirmed skeptic
upon all Supernatural subjects, smiling.
IL assented.
"You need not SMILE" he continued
INV experience was enough to shake the
nerves of the bravest man living, and to
have rendered timid one mad.
Some six or seven years ago, shortly
after graduating from the Military
Academy at West Point, was sent with
my command, part OF company of heavy
artillery, to take possession of little fort
on Bedloe's Island. in the harbor of New
York The island. you will remember, is
the one on which Bartholdi's Statue of
Liberty is to be placed.
1.-The place, which had long been de-
serted. had acquired an evil name. and
was known to be the resort of thieves and
smugglers. and the New York police said.
was the headquarters of desperate gang
of river PIRATES. 1t WAS. indeed. to break
up this nest Of scoundrels, who had found.
that. being United States property the old
fort was never visited BY the police. that
| was sent to take possession of the is
land.
ut was a gray, raw day in November /;
rain had fallen early in the afternoon, and.
when the boats containing my little COM
mand reached our destination. cold fog
hung over the harbor, and the rising wind
howled about the old barrack. adding to
the gloom and increasing the dreary desc
laton Of the widowed old walls. 1t was
already three o'clock, and daylight was
preparations tor the night as rapidly as
possible.
Inside the tiny fort there was house.
but in so delapidated state that but one
room-a large one, which had probably
once served as messrOOm-was habita-
BILE. and this. the bare floor, broken cell
ing. and walls from which the paper hung
in ragged strips. made uninviting enough.
In this, however. being tie best. nv trunk
was placed, stove put up. which was
soon roaring IN a cheerful way. a lamp
lighted, bed. bedding, table, and two
chairs. brought in, and started on tour
of inspection. had told my Sergeant to
prepare the quarters for men in long.
low building, outside the fort, which
seemed in fairly good condition.
.'Seldiers are rapid, because systematic
workers. and before nightfal all were
made comfortable. and supper served to
them which did credit to the companys
cooks. | visited and inspected every part
of the lsland-a mere speck in the harbor,
as You know-looked into the old case
ments. went through the ruinous old house
from cellar to attic. examined bolts and
door, then, having given orders for the
night, closed the great gate leading into
the tort. and retired to my quarters.
IL certainly am not either timid or
an imaginative man, but there was some
thing to the last degree depressing in
the place that night. The wind. which
had driven away the fog, howled and
moaned in the deserted place; the rats
trooped up and down within the par
tition walls, and there rose strange,
earthly smell, which reminded me. scarce
know why, of new-made graves. Now and
then some sea birds scream could be
heard. or the distant roar of the fog horn
of some passing ship, was added to the
signing and grooming of the wind.
81 sat down and read the one or two
newspapers CHANGED to have in nv pock-
ct, wrote out few memoranda, then
opened my trunk. lifted out the tray.
which placed upon the little table. put a
number of articles of daily use on shelf,
and then, although it was still early, not
more than ten o'clock. l believe, made
my toilet for the night, turned out the
light, and jumped into bed. had placed
my pistol, self-cocking Colt OF the
largest size, under my pillow: but no
sooner was the light out. and all was dark
than the tales told by the New York police,
came forcibly to my mind. and almost
regretted not having posted a sentinel
within the little fort. Then l felt like
laughing at myself for such absurd appre-
tensions. Still could not sleep. Hall
dozen times was just doing off, when
rat skurrying along. or the wild scream
of some passing sea-gull. would rouse me
with a start. to toss and fret for another
quarter of an hour.
LAT last sleep came calm, peaceful,
and dreamless sleep. How long slept
have no idea; perhaps for one hour. per-
haps for two. Then. from within my very
room. of which I had seen every window
barred, every door bolted and locked,
there came long. low, moaning cry, end
ing in shrek so horrible, so CHASTITY, that
l am not ashamed to say. that. as rose in
my bed. my heart seemed to stop for a
moment, and my hair to rise, stiffened on
my head.
at was but for amoment. A faint light
from the waning moon came in through
one of the shutters, and, as l rose, there
also rose across the room, a long, white
figure! saw it start from the floor, and
grow to mans size, or more; and, as
gazed. heard that dreadful shrek. No
matter what it was; it was a something,
and with its presence returned all nv
combativeness and anger; hot. fiery wrath
was my only feeling
Some scoundrel.' said to myself, is
playing me trick. Some of those pirate
snugglers have arranged ghost for me,
have they? Well, veil see who can play
ghost bestr
las rose took nv six-shooter from