Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1909-09-10
A Thrilling Case
of Somnambulism

muCn Interested Ill u CdSS VI soIlhhih-
bulism, which occurred on a vessel
bound to that place from India. II
was reported, on the arrival of the
vessel, and subsequently communk
cation on the subject was made to one
of the local papers. Its thrilling and
peculiar character renders it well
worthy OF place in print.
AS passengers on board of this
vessel were Mr.. Mills, wife and child.
Mr.. Mills had for a long time occupied
lucrative mercantile position in Cal
cutta, and was now returning to his
native land to remain. The child was
a bright boy of IL years. They
made merry party on board the ship,
and were popular with passengers,
officers and crew. John Mills, the
boy, was an especial favorite, and had
the liberty of every part of the vessel.
One day the weatherbeaten captain
and Mr.. Mills were on deck, looking
at the boy as he ran about.
"a noble lad" said the captain. "Mr,
Mills, you ought to be proud father"
Thank you, captain" replied Mr.
Mills with tears of honest pride and
Joy standing in his eyes. Il am
proud, can assure you. But do you
know that at times l feel great dis
tress about him."
"Distress!" repeated the captain.
why, what about, | should like to
know? He is in the best of health
he is intelligent-his prospects in life
are good. What more do you want?"
II will tell you the trouble" said
Mr.. Mills, with serious face. Ever
since John was five years of age he
has been somnambulist His moth
er and myself are in constant appre.
hension that in some of these spells
harm may come to him."
The kind-hearted captain at once set
to work to quiet the fears of the IA
ther.
He'll outgrow it-I am sure he
WILL" he said. II don't think anything
will happen. But" he added as he
looked again upon the boy as he
bounded by; but I'd watch him, es-
pecially on board ship, for he is too
noble lad to be exposed to danger"
Days passed on. The weather was
favorable and every one on board was
consequently in good spirits. The
deck and cabin were scenes of con.
stant social interchanges and amuse.
ment. In fact, the good old captain
declared over and over again that in
all his experience at sea he had never
had a more agreeable company, or
more satisfactory weather.
Matters were in this happy condi-
ton one afternoon when there came a
sudden exclamation from Mrs. Mills:
where's John?"
John - John, where are you?"
shouted Mr. Mills, springing to his feet
and rushing through the main cabin.
He's safe on deck, undoubtedly"
said one.
He's with the captain" suggested
another
BY this time Mr.. Mills was on deck,
where he soon confronted the cap.
tain.
Great Heaven, captain, where's
John?" exclaimed the father.
81 do not know" replied the cap.
tain. HE is not on deck"
The faces of both men were
blanched. In an instant the ship was
in an uproar. No one had seen the
boy. With frantic cries the father
and mother searched In every possible
place in the cabin. and the crew
searched the decks. A dreadful appre
hension was settling upon ALL This
was that the boy had fallen over
board.
At this particular time the captain
looked aloft Not with any idea OF
seeing the boy, but as matter OF
habit and duty. All the sails were
set, and 1t was not easy to see all
parts OF the rigging. To the captains
surprise and Joy he discovered John
perched on one of the upper cross
trees.
Look aloft! look aloft!" he cried
There's the lad on the crosstree."
The passengers and crew at once
crowded near him.
my boy is asleep! oh, Heaven!'
was the wailing exclam alton of the
father.
Mrs. Mills fell to the deck uncon
scious at the terrible danger of hel
son. All were aghast with horror.
The ship plowed on. Every sal
was full of the fair and steady wind
and not a sound was now heard ex
cept the noise of the ropes In the
blocks and the falling of the waves
from the bow. There sat the bow OF
the crosstree, with one arm arounc
the mast. He was evidently asleep
and at any instant, by suddenly ava
king, might fall to the deck or int
the sea.
No one uttered word-not an or
der was given-but In an instant tn,
captain himself was seen ascending
the rigging. He went up nimbly an,
quickly. Every eye was bent upoI
him. and then upon the boy. Hearts
almost ceased to beat; and tears RAJ
down the chaaka NJ paaoapaaro IN.