The Meeker herald., 1906-11-10
Narrative Of John c.I..p...


one Of the famous Canadian ocean
liners. Had foreseen. however. the
strange happenings during the voy-
age. I should have postponed my
-. trip.
always like berth to myself, but
as 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 l chose the
top one-when, to my surprise, saw
my companion take a coil of rope
from his pocket. which he placed on q
seat
Il want you, Mr.. Caleeps. to do me
favor-to take this rope and firmly
secure me to the berth with it, 80 that
by no possibility whatever I can es-
cape"
Don't be surprised at my request"
he continued. THE truth is, am
somnambulist. and l don't want to
walk into the sea-"
His words having treasured me,
fastened him as securely as possible.
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.
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 tell
you, but II / were you I'd change my
berth?"
As 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 tied the ropes
more firmly than ever.
am one of those fortunate individ-
uals who always sleep soundly. but
on this night a tumble Of unpleasant
dreams now and again startled my
slumbers. Suddenly my dreams grew
10 insufYerable as to completely over
power sleep. awoke. All was still.
The light Of the portfolio seemed to
glare luridly, and my glance reach
Ing the berth where had fastened
my companion. found 1t empty. He
had broken loose from his meshes.
Just then my ears were assailed by
distant muffied sounds of Murder!
murder! Help! help" proceeding
from the deck above me.
In an instant assembled the gang
way stairs. l rushed to the deck.
The night was dark and silent. In the
gloom 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. caught hold OF the arm
of the wretch and strove to wrest 1t
from the clasp of the woman. but
did not succeed. l attempted again
and with all the resolute force posi-
bile. At that moment l saw a Hash
of light. felt a maddening blow.
and then l must have grown insensi-
BILE to everything.
On recovering consciousness,
found myself in my berth. attended
by the doctor and the stewardess.
/ soon recovered from my injuries,
which were slight. and afterward.
naturally, asked her to give me
some particulars of the mysterious
occurrence.
Read what will explain what seems
fuexplicable," she replied. handing
me the following MS.
Narrative Of Milieent Harworth, Stew
ardess.
I 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
tiers 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
skaters. / had never hankered after
a monotonous life Of responsibility.
did not think that the crown OF
womanhood consisted In being
nurse Of squalling infancy or a slave
to manly brutality. My views Of life
we're cast in another mold. II pos
sessed the kindly, gentle attributes
Of womanhood. my ambition was to
arrive and follow the steps Of those
women who live to cure suffering. to
Danish pain: to tend. to alleviate, to
soothe. therefore resolved to be-
come q nurse.
After a few years I became one OF
tho nrincipal nurses in - hospital.
7 need not detail here the nzmberless
cases nursed. but must mention
IN. narticuIar one which concerns