The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1912-12-27

Yell There Was Lively Time
Aboard the Old Sailing Vessel Till q
Mate Ended the Mystery.
OF course there is no reason why
ghosts should not be found on ship
board as often as elsewhere. As
matter of fact, Jack, who is always
superstitious, sees his full share OF
apparitions. This amusing story. told
by the ghost himself, is found IN Cap
tain John d. Whidden's Ocean Life In
the Old Sailing Days"
Whidden, boy of thirteen, was max
ing his first voyage. The ship was
hardly clear of land when a heavy
storm set In. Whidden was feeling
wretched and in carrying breakfast to
the forecastle upset pan of hot scouse
on the head of "old Tom" at the foot of
the companionway stairs. The cufiing
he had for this did not make him feel
any better. An hour or two later, when
the men were sent aloft, the boy slip
ped down the BOBBY hatch and was
soon fast asleep among some rope, can
vas and oakum that were piled against
the forward bulkhead next the forecas-
tie.
When he awoke it was dark, but
light streaming through some auger
holes In the bulkhead and the sound Of
voices brought him to his senses. He
was surprised to hear the crew talking
about him, as IL he were dead, and dis
cussing the manner in which he had
been swept overheard. He heard old
Tom say, well, I'm sorry l hit him,
but the cub scalt every spear of hair
out of my head"
He had another long sleep. When he
awoke he heard the crew washing
down decks and realized that he was
perfectly well and very hungry. He
found u barrel Of apples In the lower
hold. filled his pocket and shirt bosom,
climbed back into his nest, ate apples
and went to sleep again.
The next day old Tom was sent be-
low to cut piece of rope from the
coils among which Whidden was hid
Ing. While he was saving at the rope,
the boy, disturbed by the noise, peeped
out of the coll of hawser In which he
lay and met Toms glance.
"With whitened face and bullying
eyes," says Mr.. Whidden. "he gazed
at me moment, then dropping rope
and knife and emitting a series OF
blood curdling yells he dashed for the
BOBBY hatch and disappeared on deck.
Every one was aroused. / heard the
second mate ask, What's broke loose
with you? and all old Tom could
calculate was. I've seen him! I've seen
himp
"'Seen whoY yelled Mr. Fabens.
"'Oh, the boys ghost! the boys
ghostr Old Tom was nearly brighten
ed out Of his wits.
".Mr. Fabens.' said the captain, get
lantern, take that fellow below and
see what scared him.
$50 Mr. Fabens descended the ladder
with half the crew at his back. and
old Tom bringing up the rear. AS they
came forward the mate called out,
where's your ghost? / don't see any
ghostr
Until now l had lain quiet, but feel
ing that was discovered rose up tC
step out Of the coil. Tom gave another
yell and broke for the hatch ladder
followed by half the men.
"Mr. Fabens came up, reached over
lifted me out by the collar and march
ed me on deck, where l was Mt once
surrounded by officers and crew.
Captain King stepped forward and
said We'll, boy, where have you been
for the last forty-eight hoursf'
Between decks, SIR l sheepishly
answered.
"'what have you been doing be
tween decksT
"'Sleeping, sir
"'what. sleeping two days ant
nights?'
"'Not all the time, sir replied.
"'IIad anything to eatT
APPLES ventured.
"'Where did you get the applesT
"'Out OF the hold, sir. ! got the heat
out of a barrel
"'Oh. you did Do you know you'v'
been broaching cargoT and then
thinking the farce had gone ia
enough. for all hands were on tn
broad grin, he said, sternly:
"'Now go for'ard, boy, and II 20,
cut any more capers like that, you'll
get ropes ending you'll remembe
all your life Then, to Mr.. Fabens
he added. Keep him up in his da,
watch below for week and give hin
plenty of work
"That ended his lecture, and ! wa
glad 1t was over and that had es
capped so easily, Going forward witt
the men, was pleased to see the.
bore me no Ill Telling, not even Tom
although he might have been excuses
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