Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-27
MEETING A GHOST
Old Tom Came Face to Face With
It Between Decks.

OF course there is no reason why
ghosts should not be found on ship
board as often as elsewhere AS a
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 II. 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 cutting
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 II was dark, but
light streaming through some anger
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 If he were dead. and dis
GUESSING the manner In which be had
been swept overheard. He heard old
Tom say, We'll, I'm sorry / hit him.
but the cub scalt every spear of hair
out Of my head"
He had another long sleep. When he
awoEe he heard the crew washing
down decks and realized that he was
perfectly well and very hungry. he
found barrel Of apples in the lower
hold. filed 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 a 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 coil Of hawser In which he
lay and met Toms glance.
with whitened face and bulging
eyes, says Mr.. whidden. "he gazed
n
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 youg and all old Tom could
calculate was. I've seen him! I've seen
himr
"'SeeD whoT yelled Mr.. Fabens.
"'Oh. the boys ghosti the boys
ghostr Old Tom was nearly frighten-
ed out Of his wits.
"'Mr. Fabens,' said the captain. get
a lantern. take that fellow below and
see what scared him.
so 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
ghost" ... .--
Until now / had lain quiet, but feel
ing that | was discovered | rose up TO
step ont 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 | was at once
surrounded by officers and crew.
Captain King stepped forward and
said. Well. boy. where have you beer
for the last forty-eight hours?
Between decks. sir II sheepishly
answered
what have you been doing be
tween deckST
Sleeping. sir
"'What. sleeping two days and
nightsT
"'Not all the time. sir replied
Had anything TO eAtT
APPLES I ventured.
"'Where did you get the applesT
"'Out Of the hold. sir got the head
out OF a barrel
"'Oh, you did, Do you know you'v,
been broachiug cargo?' and then
thinking the farce had gone IA
enough. for all hands were on tn
broad grin. he said. sternly:
"'Now go fornrd. boy. and II yo'
cut any more capers like that, you'll
get ropes ending you'll renembe
al your lifC. Then. to Mr.. FnbenS