The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1913-01-03
MEETING A GHOST
Old Tom Came Face to Face With
II Between Decks.
SCARED THE SAILOR STIFF.
Then When He Got Wind Enough 10
Yell There Was a Lively Time
Aboard the Old Sailing Vessel Till .
Mate Ended the Mystery.

Aboard the Old Sailing Vessel I'll
Mate Ended the Mystery.
or 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
apparltlons. This amusing story, told
by the ghost himself. Is found In Cap
tain John ID. Whidden's ocean Life In
the Old Sailing Days"
Whldden, boy of thirteen, was max
Ing his first voyage The ship was
hardly clear OF land when a heavy
storm set I'm Whidden was feeling
wretched and In carrying breakfast to
the forecaste 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 IL was dark, but
light streaming through some auger
holes I'm 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
cusslng the manner I'm which he had
been swept overheard. lie heard old
Tom say, "Well, I'm sorry | hit him.
but the cub scalt every spear OF hair
out OF my head"
lie had another long sleep. When he
nwoke he heard the crew washing
down decks and realized that he was
perfectly well and very hungry. He
found n 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 piece OF rope from the
coils among which Whidden was hid
ing. While he was saving Mt 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 bulglng
eyes" says Mr. Whidden. "he gnzed
at me moment. then dropping rope
and knife and emitting n 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 your and all old Tom could
calculate was, I've seen himi I've seen
himr
"'Seen whor yelled Mr.. Fabens.
"'Oh. the boys ghostl the boys
ghostr Old Tom was nearly frighten
ed out OF his wits.
"'Mr Fabens.' snid the captain, get
lantern. take that fellow below and
see what scared him
$50 Mr.. Fnbcns descended the ladder
with half the crew at his back, and
old Tom bringing mp the rear. As they
came forward the mate called out,
Where's your ghost2 l don't see any
ghostv
Until now had lain quiet, but feel.
ing that was discovered | rose up to
step out of the coil. Tom gave another
veil and broke for the hatch ladder,
followed 10y half the men.
"Mr Fabcns came mp, reached over.
lifted me out by the collar and march
ed me on deck, where | was ut once
surrounded by officers and crew.
Captain King stepped forward and
said, We'll, boy. where have yon been
for ths last forty eight hoursT
"'Between decks, SIR | shccpishly
answered,
"'what have you been doing be
tween decksT
"'Sleeping. sir
"what, sleeping two days and
nightsT
"'Not all the time, sir replied.
"'Uad anything TO eatT
"Apples.' | ventured.
"Wherc did you get the applesY
scout OF the hold. sir got the head
out OF n barrel
"'Oh. YOU didl DO you know you've
been broaching cargor and then,
thinking the farce had gone far
enough. for all hands were on the
broad grin he said, sternly:
"'Now go for'ard, boy, and VI YOU
cut any more capers like that you'll
get ropes ending you'll remember
all your life. Then, TO Mr.. Fabens,
he added, Keep him up In his day
watch below for week and give him
plenty OF work
THAT ended his lecture, and was
glad II was over and that l had es
capped so easily Going forward with
? the men. | was pleased to see they
bore me no ~ Telling, not even Tom
although he might have been excused
II he had done SO"