The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1899-02-03
PHANTOM SHIP
The Flying Dutchman.
sn-w CAPTAIN MARRYAE

s'1--BY CAPTAIN MARRYAT.

"Nothing-nothing Be merciful-bt
merciful, oh, God!" replied the mother
sliding from her seat on the couch
and kneeling by the side of it, in which
attitude she remained for some time
in fervent prayer. At last she resumed
her seat, and her face wore an aspect
of more composure.
Philip, who, during this, had re-
NAMED silent and thoughtful, again
addressed his mother.
Look We, mother. You ask me to
stay on shore with you and starve--
rather hard conditions; now hear what
1 have to say. That room opposite has
been shut up ever since l can remem-
ber-why, you will never tell me; but
once l heard you say, when we were
without bread, and with no prospect of
my uncle's return-you were then half
frantic, mother, as you know you
sometimes are"
"Well, Philip, what did you hear me
say?" inquired his mother, with trem-
ulous anxiety.
you said, mother, that there was
money in that room which would save
and said that you preferred death.
Now, mother, what is there in that
chamber, and why has it been so long
shut up? Either 1 know that, or go
to Cea."
At the commencement of this ad-
dress of Philip, his mother appeared to
be transfixed and motionless as a
statue gradually her lips separated
and her eyes glared she seemed to
have lost the power of reply; she put
her hand to her right side, as if to
compress it, then both her hands. as
If to relieve herself from excruciating
torture; at last she sank, with her head
forward, and the blood poured out of
her mouth.
Philip sprang from the table to her
assistance, and prevented her from
falling on the floor. He laid her on
the couch, watching with alarm the
continued effusion.
"Oh, mother, mother! what is this?"
cried he, at last, in great distress.
For some time his mother could
make no reply; she turned further on
her side, that she might not be suf-
located by the discharge from the rup-
tured vessel, and the snow-white
planks of the floor were soon crimson
ed with her blood.
Speak, dearest mother, if you can"
repeated Philip, in agony. What shall
I do?-what shall I give you?-God AL
mighty! what is this?"
Death. my child, DEATH" at length
replied the poor woman, sinking into
a state of Inconsistencies.
Philip, now much alarmed, flew out
of the cottage and called the neighbors
to his mothers assistance. Two or
three fastened to the call; and as soon
as Philip saw them occupied in restor-
ing his mother. he ran as fast as he
could to the house of a medical man
who lived about a mile off-one Myn-
heer Poots, a little miserable, avar-
icious wretch, but known to be~very
skillful in his profession. Philip found
Poots at home and insisted upon his
immediate attendance.
81 will come-yes, most certainly"
replied Poots, who spoke the language
but imperfectIy; but, Mynheer Van
derdecken, who will pay me?"
"Pay you? my uncle will, directly
that he comes home"
Your uncle, de Skipper Vanbren-
men? no. he owe me four guilders, and
he has owed me for long time. Be-
sides, his ship may sink"
"He shall pay you the four guilders,
and for this attendance ALSO" replied
Philip in rage; come directly
while you are disputing my mother
may be dead"
'But Mr. Philip, 1 cannot come, now
1 recollect; have to see the child of |
the burgomaster at Terneuse," replied |
Mynheer Poots.
Look you, Mynheer Poots," ex
claimed Philip, red with passion, you
have but to choose-will you go quiet
ly, or must take you there? You'll not
trife with me-"
Here Mynheer Poots was under con-
siderable alarm, for the character Of
Philip Vanderdecken was we'll known.
81 will come by and by, Mynheer
Philip, if 1 can
you'll come now, you wretched old
miser!" exclaimed Philip, selling hold
Of the little man by the collar, and
pulling him out Of his door.
Murder! murder!" cried Poots, as
he lost his legs, and was dragged along
by the impetuous young man.
Philip stopped, for he perceived that
Poots was black in the face.
Must 1 then choke you to make you
go quietly? for, hear me, go you shall,
alive OF dead"
well, then" replied Poots, recov-
ering himself, 81 will go, but I'll have
you in prison tonight; and, as for your
mother, I'll not-no, that 1 will not
Mynheer Philip, depend upon it,"
mark me, Mynheer Poots," replied
Philip, "as sure as there is a God in
heaven, if you do not come with me
I'll choke you now; and when you ar
rive, if you do not do your best for