The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1885-03-21
board that felt rs sad aud lonely as I, or
that cared ns little for the futura.


that cared as little for the future.
While in my deep meditation had al.
most fallen aslGer, and a slight noise ts
of mufEled footsteps struck upon my ear
Iuvolnutarily, turned toward the sound,
and to my astonisbmeDt saw the likeness
of the lost passenger, "Muggins, dressed
in white. My first impression was that
it was a ghost, and confess to being a
little frightened.
A moment the object stood facing me,
when the footsteps of some Of the sailors
coming aft, it suddenly seemed to sink
into the deck near the stern-hatch.
Two old tars came up 10 where I still
sat, and asked me if l had seen any ono
just then near me.
! related what had seen, and upon
comparing notes we oil agreed that it
was certainly a ghost or q spook, as i.
looked SO like "Muggins" we were salts
fed it was he. In the body or out OF It;
and says old Tom Seabury:
"lL's not the frst time I've seen him,
neither, since he went overheard, and
the captains steward saws he seed him,
too"
This, then, was the cause of the strange
feeling that had peryAded the ships crew
for the last few days,
As for my own part I determined to
find out whether it was ghost or not.
With this OBJECT In view 1 stationed
myself at my former perch near the
hatohwny; but although 1 watched for
three succeeding nights did not get
sight OF my supernatural visitor, nor had
any Of The crew seen him as far as | could
learn.
The fourth night, however, as myself
and two sailors were discussing the sub
ject Of ghosts we were all at once startled
by scream from below IN the vicinity
of the captains provision. room.
We fastened to learn tho cause, and
met the cabin steward coming up with
face az white as sheet and trembling
in every limb, evidently scared nearly to
death.
1t was some time before be could ex-
plain his fright, which wGs that he had
just seen the ghost, and that in the pro-
pision-Tpom.
This room was always kept lockedi he
had gone in to get provisions, when the
white object had risen up out of a dark
corner and CONS toward him. At this
he gave scream the one wa had heard
and backing cut he closed the door,
which fastened with q spring-locki
"and," said he. "he is in there yet, Vn-
less be got ont through the keyhole."
This latter idea laughad at, as sus-
picion Of the truth flashed across my
mind.
Como on, boys" said to my COM
rades; ''well now catch this scarccrow,
or I'm mistaken in my reckoning
They appeared 10 hesitate, so getting n
light ! took tbs head; frriYing at the
door, the stowarl handed ms the key,
stepped back, and opened the door and
flashed the light around the room.
Yrsi there it was, not ghost, but
"Muggins,' in propriN persona, dresst d
in white shirt and drawers, looking
very c.estfnllsn and sheepiSh,
"B)ys,' be sad, II own up heat at
last, but I've had heap of fun, and
plenty 10 eat in the bargain"
The reason for this strange behayior
he gave rs as foliowsI
"When we were put on allowance, ]
concluded 1 would plly little game Of
my own, aud have plenty to eat,
so, searching around, found an old
box with loose lid for cover This
nearly covered mp with some old cord
age aud sails behind the stern hatchway.
There / kept Ryself during the daytime
and when likely 10 be discovered I got
into the box aud drew on the cover
oyer me-
"At dusk l watched the captains stew
ard go into the provision-room. and un.
known TO him | got in and. concealed
myself from his obserEationI Etheu /
helped myself to all wanted to eat,
and securing enough 10 last several days
waited for his next visit, when l slipped
out in the same mannerI be had caught
n glimpse Of me once or twice, and as l
personaIe ted a ghost, he had, as intend,
ed, taken me for one, but my own carer
lessness this evening has spoiled my
! fun"
We were so we'll pleased at getting our
fellow-passepger, whom we had counted
as dead, with rs again, that Eo forgaye
him his tricks
Bot not SO the captain; be swore lie
would put him in ironsI but "Muggins'
had too many friends TO allow it. SO he
escaped with reprimand.
So, kind reader, this is the "Rhost'' on
sbipboard.
We soon got into the MEXICAN pert OF
Acapulco, and "Mugeins' had no more
occasion to play "ghost" IN order to get
plenty TO cat.
What a Mississippi Pilot Says.
/ N xuk kn IL a.