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2 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 ** Ahead off All THE NEW YORK WEEKLY HERALD JAMES GOBDON BENNETT, Proprietor.; The Best *ud Cheapest Newspaper Published. POSTAGE rB\R.IEEH2- ©If® HOLLAR PbR HEAP. 50 CENTS FOR 6 M ONTH . An Extra Copy to every Club of Ten. The N. Y. Daily Herald. Published every day In theXyeai ^Postage Free st o pays for one year, nunda.rs included. $8 pays for one year, without Sundays. $8 pays tor six months, Sundays included -. $4 pays for six months, without Sundays. 82 pays for one year for any specified day ol tn $1 paysVr six months for any specified day ol 1 paysftir one month, Sundays included. newsdealers SUPPLIED. Hostage Free. Dally e lition, 2% cents per copy. Sunday edi tion 4 cents per copy. VTeckly editmn S cetUaper copy. Address ><A\ V01.K HERALD, ian23- tin 0. ROBINSON H as jsut returned from a visit amongthe Principal PIANO and ORGAN factories in New York, Boston and other cities- having arranged for the Largest and most com, plete assortment ever offered South, at prices ABSOLUTELY BEYOND COMPETITION! Low Prices Quick. S' OF EVERY VARIETY. THE LATEST PUBLICATIONS. Musical Merchandise, And everything pertaining to a First Class Music House. TUNING AND REPAIRING, PIANOS, Church, Pipe and Reed Organs, and all kinds ot Musical Instruments Tuned and Repaired t>y Mr. C. II. Taylor, the best skilled and one of the most thorough workmen South. Mr. Tay lor devoted nearly fifteen yeurs in the construction of instruments in some of the best factories in this eountrv. and is the only authorised Tuner for the AUGUSTA MUSIC HOUSE. Q. O. ROBINSON & CO. 266 Broad Street, Augusta, G ». CSN7EAL KOTEX. AUGUSTA, GEORGIA. Mrs. W. M- THOMAS, Prop’r. This Hotel, so'well known to the citizens of Clarke and adjoining counties, is loc; ted in the centre of the business portion of Augusta, con- venienti to Post Office, Telegraph Office and Depot, and offers inducements to the public uneqnsled bv any other Hotel in the City deci-tf. OB WORK OF EVERY I>E« scriptian done at this office