Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-06-20
L1NCoLN'S DEATH.
How the Sad News Was Received in
Midocean.

+ mlQOCtdus
Early one morning tn. mate was
startled by the cry from aloft: BLACK
smoke ahead, sir, A big steamer
standing TO the southwark"
The captain was called and in a trice
bounced on deck, where, applying the
glass 70 his eye, he took long look at
the stranger who had pushed 90 sud
denly ont OF the early mist hanging
low upon the horizon.
Whatever her character, we had but
little chance of escape ii she had lifled
guns. Many glance of apprehension
was directed toward the sember hun
and a pair of sloping smokes.acks
With the twisting smoke treading far
astern.
SHOW him our coiors, sir. Bend on
the ensign. We may as well be hung
for sheep as a lamb. III that fellow
is rebel, the sooner we know it the
better" exclaimed the captain some
what excitedly TO the mate.
II was close upon six bells q o'clock
when the steamer revealed her ma
tionality.
We fairly yelled when the blood red
cross of st. George danced up aloft
from tie steamers signal halyards.
She was evidently 4 troopship bound
for the cape, a tritie out of her course,
but we did not stop to consider that.
She'was too far distant to speak, but
In obedience 70 gesture from the cap
tain the mate emptied bag Of gayly
colored signals on deck, and the boys
were called aft to man the halyards
and lend a hand to bend ON the magic
flags. Upward fiuttered the particol-
ored bits of bunting, glasses were lev
eled, and GREATNESS expectancy
marked the sunburned features of the
clippers crew, for the inquiry flying
from our mizzen royal mast ives,
What news of the American war;"
a flash Of foam cast up by the huge
propeller greeted our straining vision,
the great steamer glided onward, but
TO responsive Signals gladdened the
anxious hearts of those yearning to
hear news from home.
With a passionate exclamation of
disappointment the captain closed the
snap, saying as he turned away. He
hasn't our code. It's no use"
Look at that!'' suddenly exclaimed
the mate, pointing. what is he going
to do?"
HE is coming about shouted the
captain, his bronzed features. fairly
paling. "Can it be possible he has
played rs trick and is the Alabama !?
Stand by, all hands, for
A deep blast of the steam whistle
rumbled over the flashing waters, fol-
lowed by a number of quick toots as
the steamer rar ged to leeward. Then
an expansc Of white canvas was low
cred over the side.
Glasses were directed upon that
bright patch amidships, upon which
dark lines could be discelned with the
naked eye. The glass showed These
were letters.
Il have it.' shouted the captain,
leaping excitedly into tue rigging.
spread the news fore and aft. 1t
says: The American conflict is over!
Davis fugitive'-and what's that?
Heavens, -yes-'Lincoln is killed.
Strike the colcrs half mast, sir"
continued the captain 20 the mate in a
subdued tone. Then he added, Hoist
the signal Thank YOU to tile
steamer"
At that moment the rich, fill tones
of regimental band were waited
across the heaving swells, and. many
an eye glistened with emotion as the
well known strains of Hail Columbia"
were family heard. The steamer
slowly fell off and resumed her course,
while. as if actuated by one impulse,
officers and men sprang into the
weather rigging, giving three times
three and waving their hats in return
for the kindr ess of the courteous Eng
lishmen. The stars and stripes We're
dipped three times, the hoarsa whistle
rang out in return, the Meteor flag
slowly and Enthusiastically returned the
salute. and the greeting in midocean
was over.
'sThe commander of that craft is a
gentleman-every inch of him. was
the admiriug remark of the mate as he
glanced astern at the fast fading
troopship. st. Nicholas.