The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1885-08-22
Special for the CARBON ADVOCATE.
AMERICAN LANDMARKS.


A cold disagreeable ram has been
falling since morning. Thro' the old
fashioned window of my cosey little
room l can look out across the foamy
water of the st. Lawrence and see the
old stone wind mill, which was occupied
by the Polish exile, Van Shultz, during
the battle of "Wind Mill Point in the
Patriot war Of 1888.
A eleery fire of hickory wood is burn
ing in the quint old fireplace, and moth
ing save the crackle of the embers and
the rapid strokes of two pens break the
dreamy silence of our pleasant quarters.
Seated at table near my own is a
young man busily engaged in writing,
only raising his eyes occasionally from
his M, S. to look out upon the white
capped waves of the river that are dashed
up against the small dock beneath our
very windows. lie is indeed very sim
gular young man, and in introducing
him to my readers it is my purpose only
to'state such facts regarding his past
history as is necessary TO give him the
appearance Of tangible reality instead
of presenting him in the garb Of being
of fiction. Since my earliest remem-
brance he has followed me like shad-
ow. His existence began at so nearly
the same time as my own that we have
never been able to decide which one of
us was the senior. Whatever | have
done he has attempted. And now as
travel from place to place, in my present
work, | am not surprised to still find
him my conpognoa dc coydge.
Isle Royal, or "Chimney Island" as
it is more commonly called, lies about
five miles below this place, in the st.
Lawrence river, and on the American
side of the boundary line. During the
occupation of Canada by the French it
was strongly fortified, and the high en-
bankments and walls of the forts may
stlll be seen from the decks of passing
steamers.
In the month of August, 1860, 1t was
besieged and taken by Gen, Putnam,
On the night before the capitulatiOn a
large amount of government treasure
held by the French commandant was
buried here, and at the present time it
is no uncommon thing in visiting the
place in the morning, to find large eX-
cavations that have been made during
the night by some fanciful adventurer
in the hope Of becoming the possessor
of the rich treasure which in all proba-
bility actually lies hidden beneath the
ruins of this desolate old spot.
The many tales which are told of this
place had a powerful attraction for ST.
mon; so much so that despite my per-
suasions to the contrary, he set out at
an early hour yesterday with the purpose
of visiting the island.
During a period of his early boyhood
Simon was so unfortunate as to fall a
victim to a severe attack of cholera NOR
bus, which very unhappily went TO his
brain, or more definitely to his imagina-
tion, and since that time, on the annual
return Of the cucumber season. he is
afflicted with serious flights of the fancy,
and to such a degree, that the inspira-
tion of such place as he was now Wis
| iting is liable to work sad havoc with
his entire intellectual apparatus. 1t
was for this reason that my apprehen-
sionS were not in the least consolng,
when, as II began to grow dark, he did
not return, | despatched a searching
party to the island, but no traces of him
were found. and not until the sun was
far mp in the heavens on the following
day, did he make his appearance. On
his return he declined all inquiries re-
garding his nocturnal experiences and
set himself at once about writing the
following NJ. \:
~ set foot ON Isle Royal believing in
the things OF this earth, which l had
seen, and trusting in God and the An
gels. which l had not seen. left it.,
believing in the spirits which saw, and
doubting whether had ever seen any
earth at all
In consequence of much travelling
about among the ruins of the fort, / was
exceeding weary, and about the hour OF
noon laid myself down beneath a large
tree to rest. l soon fell into a drowsy
state akin to sleep, and yet not sleeps and
as continued in this state,a ,an aged man
approached me, dressed in a strange cos
tune, and singing as he came,
Child OF earth there is no sleep
In our palace meath the deep.
Where thrO' days Of endless pleasure
Seek we for the hidden treasure.
arose and followed him. He led the
way into the old building, which is the
best preserved, and approaching the Ole
fireplace, laid his hands against the walls
which swung ont as a door, revealing {
cayernous archway which led downward
for a great distance, and at the end O
which | discerned an exceedingly spa
cious and brilliantly lighted room. Tn,
walls of the fireplace closed heavily be
hind us, and we fastened downward
As we neared the dazzling apartment be
low. which now became more distinct,
heard a chorus of most melodious voice
singing;
Far beneath The restless waters,
Deep below the islands crest,
H. tie home uthapIN spirits,
Where 90 toll Is but tu rest.
, We soon entered this subterraneaI
. palace. where most wuud 'riul sigh