Smyrna times., 1913-01-01
MEETING 4 GHOST
Old Tom Came Face to Face With
1t Between Decks.
SCARED THE SAILOR STIFF.
Then When He Got Wind Enough to
Yell There Was a Lively Time
Aboard the Old Sailing Vessel Till
Mate Ended the Mystery.


Aboard the old Sailing Vessel Till
Mate Ended the Mystery.
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 D. Wnidden's Ocean Life IL
the Old Sailing Days."
Whidden, a 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 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 if 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 we'll and very hungry. He
found a 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," ays Mr. Whidden. "he gazed
at me nOment. then dropping rope
and kni1~ and emitting a series OF
blood curdling yells he dashed for the
BOBBY 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 seer
him.
"'Seen whoY yelled Mr.. Fabens.
"'Oh. the boys ghost! the boys
ghostr Old Tom was nearly frighten
ed out of his wits.
"'Mr. Fabens. said the captain, 'ge
a lantern. take that fellow below an(
see what scared him.
80 Mr.. Fabens descended the ladde
with half the crew at his back. an(
old Tom bringing up the rear. AS the!
came forward the mate called out
Where's your ghost? l don't see an!
ghOstr
Until now had lain quiet, but feel
ing that l was discovered l rose up t
step out of the coil. Tom gave anothe
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 at one
surrounded by officers and crew.
Captain King stepped forward ant
said. We'll. boy, where have you beel
for the last forty-eight hoursY
"'Between decks. sir 1 sheepishl
answered.
"'What have you been doing be
tween decksY
|, Sleeping, sir
"What. sleeping two days an
nightsY
"'Not all the time. sir 1 replied.
; "'Had anything to eatY
"'Apples.' l ventured.
: "'Where did you get the applesY
, "'Out of the hold. sir. got the hea
out of BARREL
"'Oh, you did! Do you know you'v
been broaching cargoY and theI
thinking the farce had gone ia
enough. for all hands were on tn
broad grin. he said, sternly:
, Now go for'ard. boy. and if 20
cut any more capers like that, you
get a ropes ending you'll remembC
all your life Then, to Mr.. Faben
he added, Keep him up in his da
watch below for a week and give hiI
plenty of work
"That ended his lecture, and l We
glad it was over and that had e
!, capped so easily. Going forward wit
: the men, I was pleased to see the
u ho-a mo M iIl fallino not avau Ton