The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1912-12-24
MEETING A GHOST
Old Tom Came Face to Face With
II Between Decks.
SCARED THE SAILOR STIFF.
Then When He Got Wind Enough 20
Veil There Was . Lively Time
Aboard the Old Sailing Vessel Till .
Mate Ended the Mystery.

OF course there is no reason why
ghosts should not be found on ship
bOurd 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 ID. Whdden's ocean Life In
the Old Sailing Days.
Whidden, a boy of thirteen. was max.
ing his first voyage. The ship was
hardly clear of land when 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" nt 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 buikhead next the fOrecas-
tie.
When he awOke It was dark, but
light streaming through some auger
holes In the bulkhend and the sound Of
voices brought him to his senses. He
was surprised to hear the crew talking
about him, as II he were dead. and dis
cusslng the manner I'm which he had
been swept overheard. He heard old
Tom say. "Well. I'm sorry 4 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 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 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
at me moment. then dropping rope
and knife and emitting a series Of
blood curdling yells he dashed for the
boOby hatch and disappeared on deck.
Every one was aroused. l 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
him"
"'Secn who?' yelled Mr.. Fabcns.
"'Oh. the boys ghost! the boys
ghostr Old Tom was nearly frighten-
ed out of his wits.
"'Mr. Fabcns.' said the captain. get
a lantern. take that fellow below and
see what scared him.
80 Mr. Fnbens descended the ladder
with half the crew Mt 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 I was discovered rose up TO
step out OF the coil. Tom gave another
yeIl Wuu OThht tOT uUttu
followed by half the men.
"Mr Fab0ns came up. reached over.
lifted mo o.t by the collar and march.
cd mo on GEEK. where I was ut once
surrounded hy officers and crew.
Captain King stepped forward AMI
said. We'll boy, whore have you been
for the lnst forty-clght hours?'
an A A. a
answered.
"'Whnt have you been doing be-
tween dccks?'
"'Sleepng sir
"'What. sleeping two days and
nishtsi
"'Not all the time. sir l replied.
"'IiaG anything to catl'
"'Applcs, ! ventured.
"'Whcrc did you get the apples?'
"'Out Of the hold. SIR, ! got tue henn
out of u barrel
'"Oh you dld! DO you know you've
been broaching cargoy ana then,
thinking the farce Ind gone far
enough. Tor al, hands were on the
br0nd grin, he said. sternly
"'Now 20 for'ard. boy. and II you
cut any more capers like that, you'll
get Il ropes ending yon'll remember
all your life.' Then. to Mr.. Fabsns.
he aided. Keep him up IN his day
watch below for week and give him
plenty OF work
THAT ended his lecture. and was
glad IL was over and that hnd on.
capped so easily, Going forward with
thu ,nen. ! was pleased TO see they
bore me no III Telling. not even Tom,
although he might have been excused
II he ead done sO."