The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1900-12-28
oAoAoAoAoAoAo ooAoAoAoAoAoA,
A Pooi Of Sail Walter
'vovovovovovo oovovovovovov
A Ghost story.

oToVoVovoVovo ooVovovovovovo
This is the scaweed room," announced
the housekceper, putting Il key into the
lock. Its been shut mp for long time
and viii be Il bit musty"
With this she threw open the stout
oaken door, and we entered square
apartment, darkened by closed shutters
aud heavy with Il strong. pungent odor
AS our guide raised Il window and open
ed the blinds there was rusting all
about us of the flight of pigeons This
was caused Ivy the iluttering Of quanti-
ties of dry seaweed which were fes ,ooned
upon the walls and over the doors and
windows.
That's nothing but common seawecd."
said the good woman, noticing our inter-
ested slauces. It's used only as an or
namcnt and to give character to the room.
All the choice varieties are in these glass
cases and pressed in this pile of scrap
books, with notes and explanations under
en-
Did Professor Linwood collect these
specimens himsclf:' | asked.
Il suppose so. He used to go on long
voyages to the tropics and come home
{ lt4Ntl W llll new Nul ltlltS, ANA lltD ne u
spend months classifying and arranging
them. lie was Il diver in his younger
days ana after that made contracts for
lifting sunken vessels or exploring old
hulks that had money or merchandise on
board. He'd put on his diving suit and
20 down with his men, I've heard tell,
and many's the strange adventures he's
had in ships at the bottom of the ocean,
so he told me one day when he felt chat
ty. That's how he first took to collecting
scawecds. He ransaclled the bottom of
the sea to get specimens. But after his
marriage he never seemed to care for it
any more. But perhaps all this don't in
terost you. lis the seaMeed you want
Nou can examine it as much as you like"
We did so and fingered long held by
the charm of this strange room. that
was redolent with the mysteries of the
great deep. We sat on a couch, talking
in low tones and listening TO the rustling
seaWceds over our heads, our feet rest
ing on some of the same material which
had been fashioned into rude mat that
covered the floor and also the divan on
which we were seated. The whole apart
ment was full of it in all forms and
phases. A wreath of it surrounded the
only portrait in the room-that of a
young girl, with frank, pleasing eyes
and Il sweet mouth.
The housckccper, who had excused
herself for a few moments, now return
ed with tea and biscuits As she pour
ed the fragrant beverage into little fat
cups we venturcd to inquire who the
original of the picture was.
Mrs Linwood. the professors wife"
replied the woman, giving quick, APP
prehensive look at it over her shoulder.
Then" replied my companion, ITS
no wonder the professor took no more
voyages after his marriage"
81 said he collected no more seaweed,
sir" responded the housekeeper. "He
made one voyage directly after his mar
riage and took his bride with him. The
vessel was wrecked in terrific storm,
and only few of the passengers were
saved. Mrs. Linwood was among the
lost"
"That was an odd concidence-that
she should be lost and he be saved" |
said half questioningly.
''Well, sir, that leads up to the most
peculiar story you ever heard. As long
rs the professor lived ! never dared
breathe it, but now he's gone might
relate a strange circumstance in connec-
tion with this ROOM
We encouraged her so much that the
good woman began Immediately.
1T was not until the professor was
nearly 60 that he thought of taking a
wife. Then he was very foolish, if |
may be allowed to say it, for he fell in
love with a little girl only Is, and, he be-
mic b1r fa Z
though she was much attached to Sec
ond cousin of hers, a younger fellow in
an importing house. poor, but with good
prospects, and as luck would have it
this cousin was on the same steamer
that took the professor and his bride to
China. he going there on business for
his firm.
'It must have been hard for the two
poor young things to be doomed to such a
long voyage under such circumstances,
especially as the professor was of an in
tensey jealous disposition and forbade
his wife to speak to her cousin.
But, as | said, the vessel ran aground
in a storm and sank almost Immediately.
Mrs. Linwood was drowned, and her hus-
band came back Il changed man. broken
in mind and body He Mad even lost his
interest in his particular fad and have
seen him shudder at the sight of piece
of seaweed He locked up his room, and
| never saw him enter it again except ON
one notable occasion"
"What was that?" inquired my com
panion.
"Well you see not having his scientific
studies to take up his mind the poor
man became very lonesome and morbid.
He never wanted to be alone and must
needs have a houseful of company the
whole time. This was easy, for he had
great many nephews and nieces. and
they, with their friends, kept us in
state of commotion, especially during the
holidays and in summer vacations.
zone Christmas eve his favorte neph-
ew. Jack Newton. came late in the even
ing. and to save my soul | didn't know
where to put him to sleep. He was
merry, rolicking lad of II, and he said
he'd sleep in the attic-anywhere so that
he got chance at the dinner next day
always thinking of his stomach, Ike any
healthy boy.
"'rhe attic was out of the question.
Suddenly thought came to me, and l
asked him if he'd mind sleeping in the
seaweed ro I'm.