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SOUTHERN BANNER: MARCH 26. 1878
THE HAUNTED SHIP.
I shipped in tho Norway for the
passage from Croiistadt to Hull, and
another English gentleman, who
went by the name of Jack Hastings,
joined her at the same time. He and
I lodged together on the shore, and
became somewhat acquainted before
we became shipmates. He was a
man of considerable information, and,
from his talk, had seen his share of
the world, but was not much of a
sailor, as I had already surmised
from the cut ot Ins jib.
We found Copt. Phelps, of the
Norway a Tartar in the worst sense
of the word; and the voyage was
anything but a pleasant one, especial
ly to Hastings. He had shipped for
able seaman’s wages, and his defi
ciencies were soon apparent, especially
to a captain who had a hawk’s eye
for the weak points, in a man, that
he might come down on him.' As I
had a strong feeling of respect for
the young man, I stood his friend
whenever I could, by trying to do
more than my own share of duty,
and covering up his shortcomings;
• but I couldn’t always be at hand, of
course.
One night when it was blowing
quite fresh, and I was at tke wheel,
the Captain was np, and had all hands
putting reels in the topsails. The
men had laid down on deck, and
weie maiming the halyards to hoist
away, when poor Hastings, instead »f
the reef-tackle, let go the weather
foretopsail brace, and away went the
yard fore and all. However, by
luffing up smartly, we managed to
get it checked in again without cars
rying away anything. But Capt.
Phelps, frothing at the month, vowed
he would tan the clumsy lubber’s
hide that did it, and would ride him
down like a maintack.’’ He rushed
at Hastings with a piece of ratline
stuff, and brought it down once, with
a terrific cut, over his neck and
shoulders.
As he raised it again to repeat the
blow, while all hand* stood looking
on’hushed into silence, a voice from
aloft roared out:
“ Hold your hand !
The sound, which was wonderfully
loud and clear, seemed to come down
out of the maintop. The Captain foil
back aft, so as to look up, but cou'd
see nothing.
“Aloft, there!’’ he yelled, in a
rage.
No answer.
“ Maintop, there!”
“Halloa!” was answered spite
fully.
“ Come down on deck!”
“ Come up here and see how you
like it!”
The Captain’s rage was now fear
ful to behold.
“ Who’s alofl there ? Who is it,
Mr. Raynor ?” he inquired of the
mate.
“Nobody that I know of, sir,”
answered the officer. “They’re all
here in sight.’’
The men looked from one to an
other, but the number was correct.
The second mate, without waitiug
for orders, sprang up alofl and looked
over the top rim, then made the cir
cuit of it, looking all around the mast
head, and reported himself alone.
The Captain dropped his rope’s end
and went below, his mind in a strrnge
chaos of rage and fear, and Hastings
escaped further beating tor that
night.
But a few days were sufficient for
the captain to forget his fears, and I
myself was the next victim of his
wrath. Ke had ordered me to make
a lan <1 yard-knot in the end of an old,
ragged rope, to be used for a lashing
somewhere. I did so, and returned
it to him, telling him I had made
the best job of it that I could.
“ Well, if that’s your best,’’ said he,
you’re as much of a lubber as your
partner, Hastings I’ll dock you
both to or’nary seaman’s pay.”
In vain I remonstrated, saying
that the rope was too much worn
and jagged to make a neat piece of
work.
“Jagged, is it? Well I’ll finish
it up over yoar lubberly back.’’
“No you won’t?” sung out a voice
from behind the long boat.
He rushed round in the direction
of the sound, but there was no one
there.
“ Who was that that spoke ?” he
cried. “ If I knew who he was I’d
cut his heart out.”
“Ha, ha! would ye?’’ was an
swered derisively—from the maintop,
now:
It was broad daylight, and all could
see that there was no one up there.
I was quite as much startled and
mystified as my tyrant could possibly
be, but the diversion served as good
a purpose as on the previous occasion,
for he did not attack me again. Had
he done so I meant to resist, and
grapple with him if it cost me my
life.
That night the Captain’s slumbers
were disturbed by a fierce cry, which
appeared to come in at the side light
in his state room, left open for fresh
air. Tho cry had been heard by the
mate on the quarter-deck, and by
Hastings,.at the wheel, who could
give no explanation of it, and seemed
to share his astonishment and tear,
when lie rushed on deck and looked
vainly over the quarter in search of
the cause.
From that day he was harrassed
and persecuted at, every tarn by an
“ invisible presence,” which gave him
no peace of his life. Whether on
deck or below he found no escape
from it, and especially when he began
to abuse or swear at any of the ship’s
company the voice of the hidden
champion invariably took their part,
the insolent laugh rang in his ear on
every snch occasion, seeming to come
from overhead.
But no snch manifestation ever
troubled us in tt.e forcastle, nor did
the unearthly voice ever address any
one on board except Capt. Phelps.
The more superstitious part of onr
crew would rather have borne his
tyrannical treatment than lived in a
haunted ship, while some of ns wel
comed a friend in this unaccountable
spiritual presence, or whatever it
might be.
The captain’s angry passions were
to some decree cheeked by it, though
now and then they broke forth so
suddenly that the object of his fury
received a blow before it could inter
fere. We had arrived witlrri a
couple of days’ sail of the English
eoast, when, becalming exasperated
by some blunder of Hastings, he
hurled a belaying' pin, which struck
him on the head. The poor fellow
suddenly clapped both hands to the
spot with a yell tend rushed into the
forecastle. The captain, after having
thrown the mistile, appeared, as I
thought, surprised at not heariug any
thing, and I noticed him glance nerv
ously alofl. Bat atill hearing nothing
recovered his courage and ordered
Mr. Raynor to “ call that man on
deck again.’’
The mate, getting no ans wer to his
call, went below and found Hastings
delirious. He reported that lie be
lieved the man to be in a ciitie.nl
condition, and the captain directed
him to do whatever he thought best
for his relief. I think Cap);. Phelps,
like some other hard cases that I
have sailed with, did not dare ven
ture into the forecastle himself, for
fear that he might never get out
again alive.
That night it became necessary to
call all hands out to reef again, and
while we were on the yards a thrilling
cry arose from the bows, such as
might well have been raised by a
maniac. A human form was seen by
several of ns erect on the rail, near
the fore-swifter, and then a loud
splash was heard in the water under
our bow.
Mr. Raynor aid the captain, who
were on deck, rushed to the side; a
hat was seen for a moment bobbing
up on the crest of the sea, and the
same dreadful j ell of insanity was
repeated, even more shrill than be
fore. Captain Phelps echoed the cry,
but faintly, and fell insensible to the
dock.
Mr. Raynor hailed us on the top
sail yard with a voice like a trumpet
blast—“ Lay down from aloft! Clear
away the small beat 1”
We thought the mate was quite as
mad as the poor suicide ; so he vas
for the moment. By the time we
reached the deck he was ready to
countermand the order. Everjrthing
was hidden in darkness,^ the wind
and sea fast increasing; and it was
hardly possible, even then, for the
clumsy little boat to live.,. The cap
tain, still unconscious; was carried
below, with many a muttered wish
that he might never come up again;
ami bitter were the oaths of venge
ance, mingled with kind wo. ds and
tears for our departed messmate, that
went round among our wakeful little
circle during that stormy, dismal
night.
When the Hull pdot boarded us,
forty-eight hours afterwards, Capt.
Phelps was at his post, Irvins to look
like himselt; but still pale and tremb
ling. The mate toTJ-^s^that he
should have him arrested as soon as
we arrive in port. But I think he
must have relented and connived at
his escape, for he was missing before
the ship was fairly secured. I don’t
think he was ever brought to justice,
though 1 did not wait to 'See. - I was
glad enough to shake the dust of the
N orway off my feet., and'to. forget it
possible, the history oi the voyage.
But, I often found myaflC, while on
subsequent voyages, puzzling my
brain to account for vhe strange
phenomena of which I have spoken.
Five years passed awayimd I was
none the wiser in that respect, when
I found myself in Liverpool, where I
had arrived irom a South American
voyage and h d been paid off with
fifty pounds—a considerable sum for
me to have in my possesion at one
time. ...
Strolling along the strC^ at early
evening, ready for anything in the
way of amusement that rifiglit turn
up, ray attention was crfught by a
poster announcing the performance
of “Prof. Holbrook, the unrivaled
and world-renowned ventriloquist.”
I had never seen a performance of
that sort; but after reading the bill I
resolved to go. I was just in time
when I reached the hall of exhibition,
and taking a ticket I entered and
took a seat. I thought tho professor’s
entertainmentj the jnq^tHf^!^J^fo-|ul
thing; I had ever seen or heard.
After a variety of sounds and voices
bad been imitated with marvelous
skill, he informed us that he would
bold a conversation with an imagin
ary person up the chimney. When
the responsive “ Ha, ha 1” came down
1 was startled to such a degree as to
rise from my seat. It was the same
v oice, in precisely the same peculiar
tones that I had heard so many times
from the Norway’s maintop.
A minute later, the professor, hav
ing finished his part, came forward
to the front of the stage; and, in
spite of his flowing beard and other
disguises, I recognized one whom I
had supposed to be dead five years
before.
“Jack Hastings!” said I, aloud,
forgetting, in my excitement, where
I was.
“ Sit down !” “ Put him out 1”
cried a dozen voices at once.
I subsided, of course, but not be
fore I had received a sign of recog
nition from the ventriloquist. When
the performance was over he beck
oned to me, and in the privacy of h's
own room grasped my hand with a
hearty pressure.
“ Hastings,” I asked, “ how in
the name of miracles were you
saved ?”
“ Saved ! Where ?”
“ When you jumped overboard
raving mad.’’
He laughed—his own natural,
hearty laugh ; not the unearthly one
which he seut down from chimneys
and mast-heads.
“ I never jumped overboard, Ash-
tan,” said he; “ and I never was any
raore mad than I am this moment,
it was only a plan to frighten old!
Phelps, and I think it succeeded blit
too well. If be had been tried for
his life and I had thought iiim in
danger, I should have appeared in
court and frightened him again to
save his life. But ho could not be
found, and I never heard of him
since. My madness was all a sham,
aid the man overboard was jn!y a
bundle of old duds, surmounted by
my old liat. I slipped down into the
forepeak and lay concealed till the
night after the ship arrived, when I
stole out and went ashore. Of course
you understand the cries you heard ?”
“ Certainly; and the other strange
sounds on hoard. Your vetriloquism
explains the whole matter.”
“ I performed in most of the cities
and large towns in England before I
knew you ; but I was then dissipated
in my habits, and squandered all that
I made. While on one ot my sprees
I shipped and went to sea, and that
is how you found me in Croiistadt.
But I was never stock to make a
sailor of. Since I have returned I
have done well and saved money,
and yon must allow that I acquit
myself better on tliis stage than I did
oil board the Norway.’’
And that’s the only haunted ship
that ever I was in. I’ve heard of
others, but probably those cases
mi"ht all bo explained in some simi
lar way.
An Awful Holocaust.
A BOUT THREE THOUSAND FAMINE REFUGEES
DESTROYED BY FIRE—TF.BB1BI.K SCENES.
[Hong Kong Mail, j
At Tientsin, on the 7th of January,
a terrible calamity occurred. A lire
broke out ut ten o’clock in the morn
ing, at one of the relief yards es
tablished outside of the city wall for
the benefit of the famine refugees.
A strong northeast wind was blow
ing at the time, and scarcely an hour
passed before all the sheds were
burned, and between two thousand
eight hundred and three thousand
wo...on and children were suffocated
or burned to death. As correct an
estimate as I can get gives the num
ber of inmates as three thousand, of
whom only a. little over one hundred
escaped. The location of this soup
kitchen was unfortunate. On the
east side was the city ditch; on a
part of the e;outh and west sides was
an ice pit, while houses lined the
remaining sides. In addition, it was
surrounded by a strong fence of
kauliang stalks plastered with mud,
in which there was only one gate,
and it is said th- t on the bursting
forth, of tlvc fl i" < s the gatekeeper
locked the gate ..nd ran away. Many
of the Chinese showed much courage
in trying to render assistance, * as
testified by an eye-witness, who,
passing just at the time, hastened to
do what he could in tearing down
the fence and rendering other servi
ces. He speaks of the scene of that
time a3 terrible beyond description.
The scene presented after the fire had
done its work was ghastly and
horrible, and the picture of it rises
before my mind as one that can
never be effaced. The contortions
of the features, the positions of the
bodies, hands, limbs, mouth and eyes,
the same as when the flame and
smoke overtook them, reminded one
of the descriptions of Pompeii. Had
the gate been left open probably
many more might have made their
escape, but so rapidly did the flames
spread through the mat-sheds, and
in the straw and mats spread on the
ground as a protection against damp
ness, that before an opening could be
made in the fence, few even were left
to linger on in suffering. How the
fire originated, no one seems to know
—a spark, possibly, from the range
where at the time the millet wa9
cooking.
Buggies,
BUGGIES BUGGIES
BUGGIES,
W® R« HAVERif
Athens, Georgia,
Manufacturer of and dealer in all kinds of
Top or no top Buggies and Spring Wagons
All kinds of vehicles repaired ut short notice
painting and trimming done in the best, and
latest styles. Work put up to order and war
ranted to give satisfaction.
,, Black Smithing
Don# in the best manner, harness made and re
paired at short notice. I use the best material
that can he had, and lmvo skilled workman who
know their hastiness. Having an experience of
eleven years I feel confident of giving satisfac
tion. Give me atrial and I inn satisfied you will ]
be pleased ns I do the cheapest work in the city.
Shop opposite
J. Z. COOPER'S LIVERY STABLE.
W. R. BEAVERS, j
jan296m.
LAW 2TOTICE3.
S. DORTCH,
ATTORNEY AT LAW,
Garnesville, Go.
apl8-1873-tf
g E. THRASHER,
ATTORNEY AT LAW,
Watkinsville, Ga.
Office in former Ordinary’s Office.
jan25-1876-ly
p G. THO MS ON,
ATTORNEY AT LAW,
Special attention paid to criminal practice.
For reference apply to Ex-Gov. T. II. "Watts
and Hon. David Clopton, Montgomery, Ala.
Office over Post-Office Athens, Ga.
feb3-1875-tf
JOHN W. OWEN,
ATTORNEY AT LAW.
Tocoa City, Ga.
Will practice in all the counties of the West
ern Circuit, Hart and Madison of the Northern
Circuit. Will give special atterdon to all claims
entrusted to his care. oct20-1875-ly.
Pops Barrow. D. C. Barrow, Ja
JJarrow Bros.,
ATTORNEYS AT LAW,
Office over Talmadge, Hodgson & Co.
jant~ly
£1 1>. HILL,
ATTORNEY AT LAW,
Athens, Ga.
Prompt, attention given to all business and
the same respectfully solicited. janll-ly
Lamar Cobb. Howell Cobb.
£ & II. COBB,
ATTORNEYS AT LAW4 *
\
Athens, Ga /
JJOffice in Deupree
feb22-1876-ly
Alex 8. Kawot. .ajcnwcir J. Coes.
gRWIN A COBB,
ATTOUNBYS AT LAW.
. : (Athens, Ga
Office on Corner of Broad and Thomas streets,
over Childs, Nickerson & Co.
feb32-1876-ly ■ j • l • 1"*
^8URY G. McCURRY,
Attomsy a* Xsaw,
Hartwell, Gkouoia,
Will practice in the Superior Courts of. North
east Geoigia and Supreme Court at Atlanta.
Aug 8.1878 tf
James R. Ltle, Alex. S. Erwijt, •
Watkinsville. Athens..
|^YLE & ERWIN,
ATTORNETS AT LAW.
Will practice in partnership in the Superior
Court of Oconee County, and attend promptly
to aU business intrusted to their care.
jan9-8m. ^
JACKSON & TOMAS,
ATTORNEYS AT LAW,
Athens. Ga.
Office South West Corner of College Avenue
and Clayton Street, also at the Court House.
All parties desiring Criminal Warrants, con get
them at any time by applying to the County
Solicitor at this office. d«cl6-1874-tt
T» T. NELMS
* attorney at law,
Havmony Grove, Jackson County, Ga.,
Will practice in the Superior Courts ot Jack-
son, Madison, Banks and Clarke counties.
Special attention given to collection of claims.
Refers to Jndge A. M. Speer, Griffin, Ga.,
and Hon. J. T. Spence, Jonesboro’, Ga.
oet9-tf.
yf' B. LITTLE,
* ATTORNEY AT LAW,
Carncsville, Ga.
epl8-187S-tf
BtrSXSTSSS GJ&XUDSL
*|l A. ILKB,
KTatohmakar & J'awalox,
At Micbacl’store, next door to Reaves & Nich
olson’s, Broad street, Athens, Georgia, All
work warranted 12 months.
septl2»tf.
OIIAS. 0. JOSES, JR. r - K - EVE -
J OJSTEJS <Ss EVB,
ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELLORS AT LAW
SIBLEY’S NEW BUILDING,
241 BROAD STREET, AUGUSTA, GEORGIA.
o6-6m
ttfeai I llais!
I
CLAIM to have the Largest Stove
in this market.
CLAIM to have the Heaviest
Stove for the price in Athens.
I
CLAIM to have the Finest Ar
ranged and most Elegantly
Finished Cook Stove Manu
factured
I
CLAIM thatjl’can' Furnish the
Best Tinware in the State as
Cheap as inferior Tinware is
now sold at in Athens..
I CAN Substantiate the above
claims and would be pleased to do so
to any one desiring to pnrebane. Call
and be conv.ncedat the
SIGN OF tee big coffee tot.
Broad Street, Athens, Georgia.
J. €. WILKINS,
aug7-8m **
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