Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1906-08-25
Narrative of John caIeeps..

one Of the famous Canadian ocean
liners. Had 1 foreseen, however, the
strange happenings during the voy-
Rge. I should have postponed my
trip.
1 always like a berth to myself, but
rs the steamer had more than the
usual complement of passengers, I
had to share one with another person.
The exigencies of the situation gave
me the companionship of Mr.. German
Grating.
was just getting into my berth
and for various reasons / chose the
top one-when, to my surprise, I saw
my companion take a coil of rope
from his pocket, which he placed on a
seat
Il want you, Mr.. Caleeps, to do me
q favor-to take this rope and firmly
secure me to the berth with it, SO that
by no possibility whatever I can es-
cape"
Don't be surprised at my request"
he continued. The truth is, l am
somnambulist, and I don't want to
walk into the sea-"
His words having treasured me,
fastened him as securely as possible.
I continued this every evening, al
ways releasing him in the morning.
One morning he complained of in
disposition, and asked me to send the
doctor to him.
1 could not find the doctor, but
happening to meet the stewardess, /
requested her to do so.
What did you say his name was?"
she asked, looking at me with as
tonished eyes. And does he occupy
your berth?"
Having gratified her curiosity, she
continued, in a low voice:
You must not repeat what 1 tell
you, but if I were you I'd change my
berth?"
AS I could not conceive any prac-
teal reason for her advice,I did not
see the necessity of acting on it, At
all events, that night 1 tied the ropes
more firmly than ever.
1 am one of those fortunate individ-
uals who always sleep soundly, but
ON this night tumble of unpleasant
dreams now and again startled my
slumbers. Suddenly my dreams grew
so insufferable as to completely over
power sleep. 1 awoke. ALI was STILL
The light-of the portfolio seemed to
glare luridly, and my glance reach
ing the berth where I had fastened
my companion, found it empty. He
had broken loose from his meshes.
Just then my ears were assailed by
distant muff1ed sounds of Murder!
murder! Help! help!" proceeding
from the deck above me.
In an instant 1 assembled the gang
way stairs. I rushed to the deck.
The night was dark and silent. In the
gloom 1 proceeded to where the voice
had issued, and to my horror / saw
my companion dragging the steward
esS by main force along the deck,
striving evidently to cast her into
the sea. I caught hold of the arm
- the wretch and strove to wrest it
from the clasp of the woman, but
did not succeed. 1 attempted again
and with all the resolute force posi-
BILE. At that moment l saw flash
of light. 1 felt a maddening blow,
and then I must have grown insensi-
BILE to everything.
On recovering consciousness, L
found myself in my berth, attended
by the doctor and the stewardess.
I soon recovered from my injuries.
which were slight, and afterward,
naturally, 1 asked her to give me
SOME particulars of the mysterious
occurrence.
Read what will explain what seems
inexplicable," she replied, handing
me the following MS.
Narrative of Miiicent Harworth, Stew.
ardess.
am the youngest of six sisters
all favored by nature with good
looks, and in consequence, all encour-
aged by our parents to bid advan-
tageously in the market for respect
ably rich husbands. Three of my sis
ters mated themselves to unexception
able types of golden propriety; two OF
them welded worthy but necessitous
young men,
Somehow or other, did not follow
the excellent example of my elder
sisters 1 had never hankered after
q monotonous life of responsibility
womanhood consisted in being 9
nurse of squalling infancy or slave
to manly brutality. My views of life
were cast in another mold If I pos
sessed the kindly. gentle attributes
of womanhood. my ambition was tC
strive and follow the steps of those
women who live to cure suffering, tt
Danish pain; to tend, to alleviate, tt
soothe I therefore resolved to be
come a nurse
After a few years / became one d
the principal nurses in =" hospital
/ need not detail here the numberles:
cases nursed. but 1 must mention
the particular one which concerns