The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-04-22
A GHOST STORY.
BY J. c. PLUMMER !.

(Copyright, 1905, Daily Story Pub. Col
 We had passed out of the channel and were heading southwest bound on our long voyage to the Pacific. Just as night fell one of those sudden acct- dents occurred which mark the narrow boundary between life and death with the sailor. The mate had sent man, Adolf Svendsen by name, out on the jib boom on a minor duty and by some means he lost his hold and fell Life preservers were thrown over but the man seemed to make no effort to save himself and was drawn under by the suction of the vessel and lost before boat could be lowered. The -nlsfor- tune cast a gloom over the crew for death is very impressive to the few men cooped up between the rails of d ship, and some of the elder sailors be- gan boding ill-luck for the voyage.
 We'll never turn the Horn said old Pete, a confirmed pessimist. had been cast in the second mates watch and was glad of it for had sailed the previous voyage under Mir. Owens, and he had taken a fancy to me. We had many a yarn while walking up and down the decks during the dreary hours of the night watch. When he came aboard at the India docks noted a great change In his manner In
  known he appeared down to the watHr line with trouble. His face was care worn and his head dropped as if ne had cargo of pig iron slowed on the back of his neck. During the watches he made no offer of talking and "f course forcmast hand has no business speaking first to an officer.
 The night after Svendsen's death l came up with my watch and began my T gfa arh ard e 10 MT. Owens passed me several times without word, then he suddenly grasped my arm.
 Ave you seen Svendsen?" he sked in strained voice
 "Svendsen," l exclaimed. why. the poor devils drowned"
 They come back he said. Tn a low voice. drowned peopfe come back Him eXpectin' to see i'm any minute.
 am not superstitious. but the cam estness of his speech and the utter silence of the sea made me look fear fully around.
 The dead never come back" I said. but not very assuredly. We took a turn or two along the deck, he still grasping my arm and saying nothing.
 ''Hi wish Hi was in Svardsnn's place." he said, suddenly, then Hid be bout of the trouble that's to come" ,"
 The manner of the man made my flesh creep.
 Whats the matter, Mir. Owens?" I asked
 Hive no wife nor child" he said, "but Hive a sister that Hive taken care hof since she was kid. She married Jack Porter. as good a sea man as ever cussed a sogerin sailor, who's now mate hof the Skvld:k. They've a nice little 'ome In Soutn- ark and she's a kid that's just begin min to talk Hof course when I'm ashore HI stay there and he night before Hi comes aboard this 'erc hook CT Hi was a sittin' in my room iis- tenin' to Kate singin' the kid asleep. There's a big 'ouse cat that always makes friends with me and e was slt- tin on the rug in front of me coz in''
 "well?" said I. for he remained ai- lent
 Hi don't want you to laugh Pt what Him going to tell" he said savagely. "TIi won't stand hit from no man.
 T never laugh at any mnds trou- bIes." I said, and I see you have some"
 well. the big cat sat dozin' on the rug and Hi was q listenin' So Kate when the cat puts hup is baek and be- gins to growl.
 What's hup?' says l.
 "'E got hup and began 10 creep to- l wards the door. growlin' with Is back