Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1901-01-22
THE POOL OF SALT WATER
.HIs is the seaweed room"

@H HIS is the seaweed room," an
nounced the housekeeper, putting
"a key into the lock; 'it's been shut
up for a long time and will be a bit
musty."
With this she threw open the Stout
oaken door, and we entered square
apartment, darkened by closed shut
ters and heavy with a strong, pungent
odOr. AS our guide raised a window
and opened the blinds there was a rust
ing all about us as of the fight of pig
cons. This was caused by the futter-
ing of quantities of dry seaweed which
were festooned upon the walls and over
the doors and windows.
THAT'S nothing but common sea-
Weed" said the good woman, noticing
our interested glances. Its used only
as an ornament and to give character
to the room. All the choice varieties
are in these glass cases, and pressed
in this pile of scrapbooks, with notes
and explanations under 'em."
did Professor Linwood collect these
specimens himself?' 1 asked.
81 suppose so. He used to go on long
voyage to the tropics and come home
laden with new varieties, and then he'd
spend months classifying and arrang-
ing them. He was a diver in his
younger days, and after that made con-
tracts for lifting sunken vessels or
exploring old hulks that had money or
merchandise on board. He'd put on
his diving suit and go 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 chatty. That's
how he first took to collecting sea-
weeds; he ransacked 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
interest yOu-it's the seaWeed YOU
want. You 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, talk
ing in low tones, and listening to the
rustling seaweeds over our heads, our
feet resting on some of the same mate
rial, which had been fashioned into a
rude mat that covered the floor and also
the divan on which we were seated.
The whole apartment 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 sweet mouth.
The housekeeper, who had excused
herself for few moments, now re-
turned with tea and biscuits. AS she
poured the fragrant beverage into little
fat cups, we ventured to inquire who
the original of the picture was.
Mrs. Linwood, the professors wife" ("
replied the woman, giving quick, ap-
prehensive look at it over her shouI-
der.
'"Then," replied my companion, 'ft's
no wonder the professor took no more
voyages after his marriagew
Il 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 a terrific storm
and only a few Of the passengers were
saved. Mrs. Linwood was among the
lost"
'That was an odd coincidence-that
she should be lost and he be saved. !"
l said, half-questioningly.
"Well, sir, that leads up to the most
peculiar story you ever heard AS long
as the professor lived 1 never dared
breathe it, but now he's gone might
relate strange circumstance in con-
nection with this room.r
We encouraged her SO much that the
good woman began Immediately.
''It was not until the professor was
nearly go that he thought of taking a
wife. Then he was very foolish, if L
may be allowed to say it, for he fell in
love with little girl only 1S, and he
being rich, her parents favored the
match, though she was much attached
to second cousin of hers, a young fell
low i'll 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