The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-07-28
HELD UP A LIGHT HOUSE.
The Sea Serpent SnOrted and GIared
BnIefuIIy at the Light Keeper,
From the Philadelphia Press.

BnlefuIIy at the Light Keeper.
From the Philadelphia Press.
Bridgeport, Conn. July 1.-THE sea SER
pent which has been seen so often in the
sound lately. the last time by the crew OF
the steamer Lowell, made a reconnois-
sance of the Bridgeport light house las.
night and almost frightened the keeper
and his wife into rendering their resigna-
lions. "If this was not United States gov
eminent property" said Capt. Adolphus
Mcneil. II would not stay here another
minute, but I'm sure that If the serpent
intends to attack us the Secretary of the
Navy will send gunboat to defend the
light house."
The keeper sat down to supper az $50
O'Clock last night. The light house in
which he lives is built upon huge iron legs,
fastened on roCk-bottom. High above the
water stands the house, with a balcony
running around 1t. on the sound side is
huge bell and an automatic fog horn.
Mrs. Mcneil, a big black dog and a par
rot were the only other living things in
the establishment besides the old keeper
when the serpent called. The keeper had
very nearly finished his meal when he
| heard a. loud snorting down in the water
| The captain ran out on the balcony.
There, in the water, looking at him with
baleful glare in his eyes, was the dread
ed marine monster.
When the sea serpent saw the keeper
he swan around the light house several
| times, as if to satisfy himself that there
was no means OF escape in the rear.
Then he opened his mouth and began
lashing his tail kicking up such fuss
/ in the water that the fog horn and the
automatic bell were both set in motion.
NFgs M d.
the horn and the bell Finding that they
| played whenever he splashed around he
seemed immensely tickled and amused
/ himself for half an hour with the sounds.
| Then, getting tired of that and growing
hungry, he prepared to attack the light
| house.
AS Capt Mcneil described him. he was,
indeed, formidable fellow. His head was
| covered with long. rank hair, and his
| enormous mouth yawned as if for food.
At each side of him was a huge fin, shaped
| like screw propeller. On the back was
another fin, looking like a windmill, and
| below the chrome-yellow neck were long
arms. The serpent kept humping himself
against the iron supports of the building
| until ii shook so that the dishes nearly
| ratified off he table. The captain rushed
| for his gun. Don't shoot him." cried his
wife. The poor fellow simply wants
something to eat. We give crumbs to the
|
| sea serpents that come to our door,"
SO the keeper threw the remnant OF
| his supper into the open mouth of the
| monster, following this with a couple Of
| hams and some canned soup. The SER
pent looked a little doubtful for a few
| moments after he had swallowed the
| cans, but he was treasured by the frank,
| open face of the light house keeper, who
| looks as If he would not impose upon
| even sea serpent. Apparently pleased
with the meal so kindly furnished him
| the monster wagged his tail once or twice
| and then swan away.
About mile off is Pleasure Beach. the
| Coney Island of Bridgeport A spectacu-
| lar production called the Fall of POM
peii is being given at this place At
| tracted by the lights the serpent went
| there. The spectators had heard the light
house bell and fog horn going and thought
| something must be wrong so that when
they embarked on the little steamer to
return to Bridgeport many of them had
their eyes turned toward Capt. McNeiis
perch. They saw the sea serpent SWIM
| ming after the boat, or said they did, He
| kept pace with them for two miles and
| then fell into the rear. Some of the pas
| sengers think that he wanted to do battle.
| but Others believe that he was in a play
| ful mood and desired to greet the steamer
| and get some peanuts and cookies from
| those on board. The frequent appearance
of the sea serpent in this neighborhood
is causing good deal of excitement. Two
| serpent hunters arrived from New York
| this morning with harpoons. They said
| they represented a prominent dime mu-
scum and declared that they mean BUSH
| ness.