Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1903-04-13
.HE Man of "reminiscences,
seated in comfortable re-
clining chair, was buried in

seated III II lt-
clining chair, was buried in
thought. l had just dropped
in for brief visit, and his action was
not meant to be disrespectful to me. l
was aware of the peculiarities Of my
friends character, and knew that he
had unconsciously fallen into brown
study. But it was for a few moments
only. Suddenly arousing himself as
though he had then discovered my
presence in the room, he remarked in
quiet drawl:
did l ever tell you of weird ex-
perience which befell me while cross
ing the Cuff"
replied that I had not had the pleas
ure of hearing his story, and assured
him that was waiting for him to
open up AS 1 have intimated, my
friend had some peculiarities which
would give a stranger the impression
that he was queer" But those who
had his friendship knew that no saner
being lived and no more loyal friend
ever walked the earth. So, before be-
ginning the narrative, he turned down
the lamp until the room was clothed
in a funereal gloom, at the same time
remarking, Darkness makes the best
accompaniment of what l am about
to relate
"Some years ago." he said, when he
had resumed his seat, 81 had occasion
to make n trip from New York to
Galveston, Texas, by way of the Gulf
Of Mexico. My object was partly
business and partly pleasure I sailed
on one of the steamers of line which
plies regularly between the two ports.
For some reason 1 was given what
was called the bridal stateroom, which
contained fine wide berth, a mirror,
q writing desk in one corner, chair
and hooks for hanging clothes on. 1t
was nicely decorated and had every
appearance of what l call luxurious
comfort. I congratulated myself upon
my quarters, but, as you shall see,
was premature with my congratula-
tions.
1.-THE weather was delightfully."- fair
until we were near the Gulf, and
nothing unusual had occurred. Then
the Captain noticed disquieting signs
upon the horizon which warned him
that a severe storm was approaching.
The sea began to roll heavily, while
the ship lurched in a manner that was
sufficient to give seasickness to even
the most veteran sailor. When dark
ness enveloped the sea and all thereon
q fierce Gulf storm had developed.
with every indication that it would
continue through the night.
"While the raging of the elements
beggared description, the sight being
one that awed me and which l never
expect to witness again, we had no
fear, as the steamer was staunch
throughout. Her engines were new
and powerful, and her skipper was
long versed in the moods Of the water
on which We We're sailing. But the
storm grew into gale. The wind
blew with hurricane force, a perfect
sheet of rain fell for hours, while the
huge waves swept the decks with ever
increasing violence. l believe l was
the only person aboard that revelled
in this grand outburst of natural
forces, and so much did l enjoy the
unusual experience that l did not turn
in until nearly midnight.
During the night, how soon aftel
/ had fallen asleep l do not know,
awoke. An uncanny feeling took pos
session of me, while my attention was
rivetted to the bottom of the bertt
where a transparent light seemed tc
glow. Gradually the bust, clad il
some light drapery, and face of one Of
the most beautiful women | have seeI
emerged with a startling distinctness
/ studied the appartion for few
minutes, and when my brain was abl'
to work / reasoned that whatever i
was it could not harm me. (You Know
do not believe in ghosts or in any
thing suggestive of the supernatural.
l therefore rose in my berth AM
reached toward the foot as If to toucl
the form, but it suddenly disappeare'
and left the stateroom in utter dark
ness. thought that / would see 1t n
more and again attempted to sleep.
81 must have been doing for hall
hour when / heard three slow, shar
raps underneath me. | was immed
ately all awake, and l noticed that tn
transparent light was reappearing a
the foot Of my berth. The same beat
tiful face confronted my gaze.
calm look pervaded the features; l
fact, the calm seemed to be that @