THE DAILY EVEMING TELEGKAril PHILADELPHIA, THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 1871.
THE nAUNTED ROCK.
BY CHABLE8 F. F. WOODS.
Borne years ago, through the Interest of a
relation, I received the appointment of a
lighthouse keeper. I did not much care about
the work, as I dreaded its dullness; but I vas
young and beginning the world, and could
not afford to be nice in my selection of an
occupation.
The remarks of my fronds, when they
heard of my new caw, w.:iv or inly not
calculated to reassure me. M.h. oi uiy com
panions were in one way or the other con
nected with the sea, and all the congratula
tions I got upon my advancement ia life were
ominous shakes of the hand and muttered
remarks as to there being "queer tales about
them lighthouse chapH;" the concluding prac
tical advice being generally, "I wouldn't take
it if I was yon, Tom."
This was certainly rather calculated to throw
a damper upon my new employ; but, as I
argued with myself, if I did not take it, I hud
nothing better to look to, and I would not
throw myself upon my friends; so determined
to make the best I could of the matter, I went
down to Blackwall to be instructed iu my
new duties. It was not long before I made
myself sufficiently acquainted with thorn as
to be aufuit at the management of the lamps
and apparatus; and was at length pronounced
fit to undertake the duties of supernumerary
lighthouse-keeper.
These supernumeraries have to hold them
selves in readiness to proceed to any ptrt of
the coast where they may be require ! to re
lieve others who, from sickness or other
causes, are removed from their posts. A fev
mornings after my instruction was oo.u
ploted, I received a sudden intimation that I
was required to proceed to take charge of
a lighthouse on the coast of Wales. Ou
making inquiries about the new ouarga
to whicn 1 was
posted, all l could
learn was, that
the legitimate keeper
had deserted his
employ some mouths
before, and had
not since been heard
of; that his place had been temporarily filled
np by a man from a neighboring village, who
it was hoped would have continued iu it; but
that he had recently insisted upon giving up
his berth, alleging as an excuse that the dull
ness of the life was more tb.au he could bear.
With this information (which was nil the peo
ple at headquarters either could or would
give me), I was forced to be content, and
started off for Wales that very afternoon,
arriving at the scene of my future
labors on the next day. At
the first glance, the prospect wa3 not allu
ring. It was at the eud of October, on one
of those dull, boisterous, dauk d-tys on which
all Nature Beems mourning the brightness of
the summer that's past, and lamenting the
rigor of the winter to ensue. The wind Crime
sometimes in strong chill pull's that seemed
to send the cold to one's very bones; some
times in soft sighs that moaned disunity
through the half-barren trees, sending tho
leaves slowly fluttering from the branches
to rot upon the oozy ground. The
desolation of the scene seemed
even to have infected the few cottages by
which I was surrouuded, and in which the
only signs of life appeared to be clouds of
steam (evidently from washing) which cvue
through the open doors, while a tew slat
ternly women went in aud out on pattens,
sometimes chiding the groups of cUildreu
that clustered on the threshold, greedily eye
ing the pools of mud and water beyond.
Even had I wished to possess it, I sa-v that
there was little information to be got there;
and as I was tired with my journey and anx
ious to be out of tha cold as soon as possible,
I put what effects I bad into a boat (which
I hired with some little difficulty), and set off
for tho lighthouse, which was built upou a
rock at some distance from the land. Ou tUe
way thither I thought that the boatmen eyed
me somewhat curiously, and were not very
talkative, simply hailing my volunteered in
formation that I was the new keeper with
an "Ah:" and a significant glance at eacli
other. I did not notioe this much,
however, as I was ooonpied with mv
own thoughts, speculating how I should
puss my time in the grim building I was
approaching, round which the eager waves
leapt, SB if anxious to engulf it, curling
back with a sullen roar at their defeat. Ou
mv arrival I was reoeived by the man whom
I was to relieve with evident satisfaction.
He was a gaunt beetle browed Welshman:
and I could not help noticing the haggard
anxious look his face wore. Almost the
moment I set foot in the building he cald
out to the boatmen who had brought me t j
"wait, as he wouldn't take long setting
his new mate to rights with the place, an l
they could take him on shore." This, how
ever, I combated stoutly, and insisted on
his at leabt keeping me company the
first night, as I did not know how the lights
worked; to this, after much demur, he con
sented, with evident reluctance, and the boat
went back.
My new abode consisted merely of tho Jan
tern, in which the lights burned, and beueath
the watch-room, furnished with a bed, chair,
and table, and such culinary and domestic
necessaries as the keeper required. A flight
of stain led to the door by which
the building was entered, and
a lower night seemed to le-id
to cellars or recesses of some sort; ray com
panion did not, however, show me these, as
he said they were never used, and it wasn't
worth while going down in the cold. The
evening drew quickly ou; and as the autumn
twilight grew darkling over the waters, the
sea and wind both seemed to rise, aud
the crash of the breakers as they leaped
fiercely up the rock, and the whistling of the
gale, were anything but agreeable adjuncts to
a residence desolate enough in itself.
For the first hour or two of the evening I
was busily employed in learning how the
lamps were trimmed, lighted, etc, and in
reading the regulations by which the keeper
was to be guided. When I had, as I thought,
made myself sufficiently acquainted with the
routine of the life that was before me, I sat
down with my quondam companion, whose
name was Morgan, and as we smoked our
pipes by the fire, tried to gather from him the
particulars of the late keeper's disappearance.
and why he himself was giving up the situa
tion. Morgan, however, was anything but
communicative: he said he knew verv little
about his predecessor; he was a sulky, gloomy
on oi cnap, wuo uvea nere with a very pretty
wife, and was said to drink hard at times
(bat that he didn't know about.) Oue night
the lamps were not lighted; and when the
coast-guaid put off to see what was amiss, the
lighthouse was found desertad, ttai as a good
many metal articles of value ware tmasin", it
was supposed that the keeper and his wta
had stolen them and made off. As for hi-ii-self,
he had lived there better than threw
months, but it was so mortal dull, he couldn't
stand it any longer. This was all 1 could g-i
from my new friend, and even this was only
got out of him by close questioning.
As the night ore on, I noticed that Mor-
"sn Fcerrcu ;o '- n." - rv a 1 cn
j'!Licd Lkcsvli, rlLcr mure tbau I thought
the authorities would have approved of, to a
cnse-bottle of spirits ou the table. It seemed
to have no effect on him, however; and he at
length volunteered to look after the lights that
night, so that I might have a good rest after
my journey. I was too tired to gainsay this,
and in ppite of an uneasy fooling, which (
coxild not account for even to myself, soon fell
into a troubled sleep. Whether it was the nov
elty of my situation or not, I hardly know,
but during the first portion of the night I
scarcely slept half an hour consecutively; and
when I awoke, hearing the never-ceasing roar
of the waves, contrasting with the deep
silence within the building, I always, in spite
of myself, begun wondering why the last
kei per had left, what sort of a woman his
wife was, and whether he had really stolen
the mihsing things' These speculations
seemed so absurd, that I tried hard to dis
miss tbein, but without success; aud it was
only as the clnwn wns breaking that I fell into
a deep unbroken Blumber, from which I did
not wake till tho morning was far advanced.
When I arose I found it was a bright fresh
mortiing, the gale having died away to a soft
southwest wind. As I stood by one of the open
windows, how different the scene appeared to
the gloom of yesterday! Where the sun
light fell upon the still heaving billows it
turned them, now to masses of sheeny opal,
now into cascades and diamonds, as the spray
was throw n high into the air. In the dis'anc,
like snowy sea-birds, appeared tho white
BhilH of the fishing craft; and as the fresh
wind cool ad my fevered cheek, my spirits
rose wonderfully, and I anticipated almost
with delight tho calm hours I might spend
here with my books, surrounded by tho over
charging beauty of the ocean. Morgan now
came down from tho "lantern," and pointed
to the breakfast he had got for me; his
own, ho said, had been finished long
since, and as soon as I was ready he
would go on shore. Although I could not
help being surprised at the almost nervous
kustu the man displayed to be off, I now had
nothing to urge against it. I thereforo fiu
ished my repast as expeditiously as I could;
and having lowered the boat attached to tho
lighthouse, we pulled on shoro almost in
silence. When within half a milo of the laud,
Morgan, who had been thinking deeply, sud
denly stopped pnlling, and very abruptly
asked me if I had ny arms in tho lighthouse.
Somewhat startled at tho question, I replied
that I had a revolver, but it was
unloaded, as I didn't seo how I
could require it. "Belter load it,"
was the hurried answer; "it's linosomo at
times out yonder, aud you'll feel more com
fortable if jou've something by you as you
can trust to." We were close to the land
now, and in a minute or two my companion
sprang ashore, and hurriedly wishing rue
good-bye, strode aay through tho tree, and
was soon lost to sight. 1 know no ono in the
little villsce: so thoncht I would no up to
the coast-guard station, as I had boon de
sired to put myself under the orders of
the officer in c barge. There was no one
there, at the time I arrived, but an old man-of-war's
man, to whom, however, I duly
reported myself, and got him to give me
some information as to where to get my pro
visions, etc. This he very good-naturedly
did; and while goiag down to the village, I
questioned him about the late keeper's de
sertion, which somehow or other always
seemed etrnngely to interest me. My new
friends, however, could tell ma no more than
Morgan had, viz., that the man and
his wife were supposed to have stolen
the articles that were missing, and
decamped. I spent a good bit of the
afternoon in making my little purchases, and
returned to the lighthouse about 4 o'clock,
in order to be in timo to light the lamps
before the approach of dusk. After the
boat was securely fastened up, and the door
locked and barred, I must confess that a
dull sense of loneliness fell upon me. I
shook it ell", however, and busied myself
with my work; and preparing and discussing
my evening meal, I got through the time
pretty well till 8 o'clook, when I went up iuto
the lantern to see that all was working
correctly, and then sat down to commence
n y first night's watch, alone in the midst of
the waters.
All anticipated evils seem smaller when
really near. I had all along so much dreaded
the dullness of my night watchings, that now
I had really commenced one of them, I was
agreeably disappointed at finding it much
more endurable than 1 had expected, ihere
was certainly an oppressive silence reigning
through the building, and the monotonous
boom of the waves dashing against the rook
whs not inspiriting; but I had letters to write
home, plenty of books to read, and my lights
to visit every hour; so that altogether the
night passed quickly enough away; and when
the dawn broke, I weut to bed with the hope
ful exclamation that "it wasn't so bad, after
all." The following day was Saturday, and I
determined to devote it to putting my room in
order. 1 did not rise till nearly 2 o clock,
and spent the remainder of the afternoon in
arranging my books, clothes, etc. As the
evening drew on I trimmed and lighted my
lamps, and then read till nearly?. About this
time I began to find a diftioulty in confining
my attention to my book. In spite of myself
my thoughts kept wandering to their old
theme the late keeper's desertion of his
post, and what Bort of a life he had led
in the room in which I was sitting, to in
duce him to disappear bo mysteriously. I
roused myself by a strong effort of will
from these profitless speculations, and weut
to the window to see what sort of a nig'it
it was. There was no moon, aud as far
as the eye could reach, nothing was visible but
the black heaving waves purposelessly stay
ing to and fro, sometimes tinged by a faint
streak of phosphorescent light; as the white
ridge in which they culminated rippled slowly
away. It seemed very lonely to be built up
there in that waste of waters, and a sort of
cold chill teemed to settle on my heart as I
began to revolve all sorts of improbable con
tingencies, such as having a fit, or the light
bouse taking fire. Altogether I felt myself
gradually getting into such a stats of nervous
excitement, that I could hardly bear
my own thoughts. So, determined,
if possible, to break the spell that
seemed creeping over me, I mixed a stiff
glass of grog, and sat down with my pipe by
the fire. There was nothing to disturb my
thoughts, and I sat conjuring up all sorts of
home scenes, listening absently to the half-
niiuule click of the lights as they revolved
above, the only sound that broke the dead
silence surrounding me. The clock hid just
struck eleven, and I was thinking of visiting
my lights, when suddenly a confused noise of
struggling end curses, iutermingled with the
sound of heavy blows, arose from beneath me.
I sprang from my chair, my first inipreision
being that thieves had broken into the light
home. While I stood listening, rapid Btups
ascended tho stair; and as I turned to soi-j
the poker as tho nearest weapm available, the
door llew violently open, aud to my intense
horror, the sound of oaths aud struggling
commencfd close by me, but not a tiring
v i' r ivi-v ,- ! i' ;)".' 'to!'.;:
tardy lasted u minute, a lifetime as it seemed
to mo, and appeared again to
dr nd the stair. For a moment
alt was still, and I was beginning to
ti and persuade myself that I had been the
i iiui of some horrible hallucination, wheu
: wild shrill scream, the agony of whiflh
. Hints me still, rang through the silent build
ing, and a woman's voice exclaimed, "George,
George! for God's sake don't murder me! '
A dull thud, as of some heavy sabslanoe fall
ing to the ground, a low gurgling noise, and
all was still.
Palsied with horror, I stood leaning on the
chair to which I had clung for support, every
nerve strained in agonized expectation of a
renewal of the disturbance; but minute aftor
minute went by, markod by the sound of the
revolving lights, and all remained as still as
the grave. Little by little I recovered power
over my thoughts, and sat down, trying to
account for the scene I had just gone through.
Could any joke have been played oa me?
That hardly seemed possible, for I had barred
and locked the door myself, and the key Btill
hung beside me. I ?ould scarcely bring my
self to believe it was anything supernatural,
for I had been all my life a skeptic as to such
things; but how to account for the scuffling
in the room elope by me? I at length be
came more emboldened by tho perfect quiet
that reigned, and got out my revolver and
loaded it carefully, and summoning up all
the resolution I possessed, determined to go
down and examine the cellars where tho
noises had apparently begun and onded.
Taking a closed lantern in oue hand and my
revolver in the other, I cautiously desoended
the stair, looking around and behind mo, I
must confess, with fear and trembling.
Nothing extraordinary was, however, visible;
the door was barred and fastened as I had
left it, and all the things that lay about were
in precisely the same positions as when
I had seen them last. Not a sound was to be
heard but the dash of the waves, which broke
upon the walls around and above me now. I
was somewhat reassured by finding everything
as I had left it on coming in; but as I pre
pared to descend the lower winding stair
leading to the collars, I felt a smothered sen-
sal ion upon my chest, and my heart beat so
loud that it would have been audible to any
one standing near. Down the narrow stair I
went cautiously, the air becoming colder at
every step, while the little light that oame from
the lamp I carried showed that the walls were
dank with moisture, and covered with fun
coid growths. When I arrive J at the bottom
I found myself opposite a strongly-built door.
not apparently fastened. The clammy sweat
rolled down my face, and it was some minutes
before I could summon up enough courage to
thrust tho door open with ray foot. Holding
the lantern forward, but almost dreading to
see what its light might reveal, I found tlut
two or three steps Jed down to a large collar,
made apparently in the rock itself. The walls.
like those surrounding the stair, were dripping
with moisture, and a peculiar earthy, sioklv
odor seemed to taint the air; but, with the ex
ception of some billets of wood, a chopper,
and a largo hammer thrown into a corner, the
place was perfectly empty. I satisfied myself
that there was no outlet to it; and barring the
door as best I could, returned to the watch'
room slightly relieved in mind, but more puz
zled than ever to account for the scene I had
gone through an hour before. I passed the
remainder of the night in the "lantern;"
and may no one ever know such wretched
hours as dragged their weary length along till
dawn:
Out of the chaos of thoughts that went whirl
ing through my brain, I determined that, as
soon as daybreak released me from my watch,
I would mstantly go on shore and inform the
Glhcer oi the coast guard of the whole alt air
At about eight o'clock I seourely fastened up
the place, lowered the boat, ana taking ad
vantage of the light wind, sailed on shore,
went straight up to the coast guard station,
and asked to see tne omoer. Tie men
gathered, I think, from my haggard looks
and flurried manner, that I had something of
importance to communicate; and out' of them
took me at once to the officer's cottage, which
was net far distent.
Mr. Thomson, who commanded the coast
guard, was a man of about thirty-three years
of age. He had been a lieutenant i l the
navy, and was now on half-pay. Being with
out private means, and seeing no immediate
prospect of active employment, he had peti
tioned the Admiralty until they had given
him his present appointment; and the men
who served nnder him said there was not a
braver or better officer in the whole service.
After I had told my story exactly as the
circumstances which gave rise to it ooourred,
Mr. Thomson gave me a keen, tearohing
glance, and very abruptly asked me what
stories the man I had relieved had been pat
ting in my head.
I replied, none; that he was very un
communicative, and would hardly ;ive any
reason for leaving, except thai the life was
bo dull.
"Very well," wai4 the quick answer; "I'll
give you a man to ntay a few days. Home one
has been hoaxing you, or, more likely still,
you've dreamt the whole affair. Here, Wil
son, you must go o.l' to t ie lighthouse for a
few days; this man here thinks he's been hear
ing ghosts, or som-3 nonsense of that sort,
out yonder. You'd better go with him, aud
show him what rubbish it is; for I think you
fear neither man nor devil.''
"Well, sir," was the repl,,, "as regards the
devil, I never come athwi rt his hawse yet,
thank God! but I do hope, by the aid of a
fair conscience, as I shouldn t miss stf ys if
I did."
"Very well," was the reply, "that's settled.
Wilson will keep you company fur a few days,
and I hope I shall hear no more of the matter.
No doubt you had a nightmare; nd I'd re
commend you to keep a sharper eye after
your lamps, and then it won't occur again.
That'll do."
With this curt decision we were dismissed,
and Wilson (who happened to be the man to
whom I had spoken on my first arrival) anl I
strolled to his cottage to get what things he
required while with me. Ou our way I retold
my fitory; and although he was evidently in
credulous as to its being anything but a
dream, he asked me to say nothing of it to
his wife, who was very poorly, flis wife evi
dently did not relish his going, but there was
no disobeying the orders he had reoeived; so,
after having our dinner at his cottage we re
turned together to the lighthouse.
Everything was in its place as I had
left it, and when we explored the cellar
together, the same fastenings were upon the
door that I bad placed there the night be
fore. However, we now nailed it olosely np;
and the evening, enlivened by Wilson's sea
yarns, passed quickly enough away till 12
o'clock, without anything occurring; and
after that we agreed to take alternate two
hour watcles in the "lantern." Not s sound
broke the stillness all night, and as we sat
down together to breakfust in the morning, I
received the bantering of my companion
upon my dream, as he called it, with an un
comfortable sensation of having made a fool
of myself.
lie v : i:.u.xj. f..vj tiiua uu T-auO-iy
I not a single event occurring out of the com
mon, and l had by this time thoroughly per
suaded myself that I had fallen asleep and
dreamt all the horrors about which I had
mado such a stir. Toward noon on that day.
a boat oarre off with a message for Wilson, to
the effect that his wife had had a bad epilep
tio fit the night before, and was then very ill.
I could not oner any opposition to his depar
ture under such circumstances, and had even
so well recovered my ordinary nerve that
when he asked me if he should send another
man to take his plaoe, I said no; all the noises
bad heard must have been the effect
of imagination, aud I was quite content to
remain alone. So he went off. Friday,
and Friday night, passed quietly enough,
and on Saturday morning I was obliged to go
on shore to get some provisions 1 wanted. 1
was doubtful nt first whether I would go, as
the day was dark and lowering, with heavy
banks of leaden-looking clouds to windward,
which betokened a coming gale. However,
I determined to risk it, and make as much
haste rs I could; and taking advantage of the
wind (now rising every minute) was only
awny about two hour. On my return, I
made all due preparations for a stormy
nibht, doubly barring the doors and put
ting battens on all the lower windows.
After the lamps were lighted, I stood
for somo time at ono of the windows above,
watching the warring of the elemeuts. The
black scud flew across the heaveus as though
rushing in terror from tho fierce wind that
howled across the wcters, and the sea seemed
turned into a gigantio caldron of seething
foam, save when, like monsters arising from
the deep, the huge black waves met each
other with a furious roar, the foamy atoms
into which they dashed themselves glistening
in the murky night, till swept away by the
wind.
The scene was a grand one; but, with a
feeling of compassion for all in distress
at pea that night, I turned to the more
congenial view of my bright little fire,
beside which I now sat down and
smoked till nearly ten, arousing myself
at that hour to write a letter of some im
portance to my brother. The subject upon
which I was engaged had reference to some
accounts which I had examined for him some
time before, and respecting which he had
written to me. The letter necessarily con
tained a quantity of figures, and I was so
deeply engaged upon them, that I paid no
heed to the flight of time, till, with a sense
of horror amounting almost to sickness, I
heard the sound of oaths and blows emanat
ing from the cellar. A moment's pause, aud
the footstep I had heard before ascended the
stair; and as I crouched into a corner, with
eyes dilated and every hair upon my head
moving in my agony of terror, the sound
of scuffling commenced close by me,
though, as before, not a thing was visible.
Again the sounds appeared to descend the
stair; again, above the howling of the wind
and the roar of the waves, arose the agonized
entreaty, "George, George! for Gods sake
don't mnrder mo!"
How I passed the remainder of that night
I hardly know. Nothing more ooourred; but
I was so unstrung by what I had for the
second time heard, that I remained, Heaven
knows how long, crouching by my bedside,
muttering incoherent prayers, and in a state
of hysterical fear which almost bereft me of
my senses. With the first streak of dawn
I prepared to go on shore, at great risk
to myself; for though the sea had
been Bomewhat beaten down by a heavy
fall of rain, it was still much too rough
to bo quite safe for a small baat with only one
man to manage it. However, I got safely ou
shore, and instantly went direct to Mr.
Thomsoa's cottage, and told him what had
taken place for the second time.
"This is very strange, my man," he said,
eyeing me with no particular favor. "This
thing happened to me when you were alone
before. I give you a man I can trust in, and
nothing takes place while he is there; but the
moment his back is turned, you come to me
with a cock-and-bull story, which I tell you
ctndidly I don't believe."
I replied that be might believe it or not,
88 pleased him; that I had told him nothing
but the truth; and begged to be allowed to
give, up my situation at once, as, I said, no
earlhly consideration would induce me to
pass a night alone again in the lighthouse,
Ilelookod hard at me for a moment, and
then said, "Of course it is your own fancy;
but something has evidently frightened you.
I will try you once more, and get Wilson to
stay with yon this next week; and next Satur-
cay night l will myself come off and stay
with you.
We went down together to Wilson s cot
tage; and although his wife was still very
unwell, Mr. Thomson got him to agree to
come off with me at once, and stay the next
woek, and on the Saturday he himself would
join ub.
We returned to the lighthouse at onoe,
Wilson in no very good te mper, and evidently
thinking m 3 a cowardly fool, or that 1 was
hoaxing him. When we got off, he insisted
on going down to the cellar with me. Every
thing was as we had left it, save that the
door, which we had fastened with long nails,
was ajftr, the nails seeming to have been
wrenchrd from the wood ! I at onoe assured
my companion that I had never been down
the steps since be was with me. He heard
me in silence, but with evident incredulity;
bnd together we fattened Up the door in such
a wanier that nothing short of sledge-ham
mers vould open it, and returned to the
watch-ioom.
Tho days and nights went quickly by, no
thing occurring to ruarin or disturb us in the
elightobt degree. Wilson recovered his good
ti mper on bearing that his wife (to whom be
was deeply attached) was much belter, and
proved hininelf, as before, a most entertain-
lLg companion.
At about four o'clock on Saturday afternoon
Mr. Thomson came off, and asked us banter-
ingly what we bad heard.
The reply of course wa9, "Nothing."
"Nor ever will," was the answer. "However,
1 11 look-out with yoa to-night.
He then qu stioned me closely npon the exact
situation and description of the sounds I had
beurd, and minutely examined the whole plaoe.
I he fasteniBgs of the cellar-door were not re
moved, but an additional padlock put en, as
also on the lighthouse door.
Mr. Thomson then said that, as the sounds
appeared to begin and end in the cellar, to
wards 11 o clock wa would post ourselves.
armed with revolvers, opposite the door, and
wait the event. I certainly did not much
relish the prospect; bnt the other two seemed
so cool and confident, that I could make
no demur. We passed a pleasant evening
in the watch-room, till, at twenty minutes to
eleven, the revolvers were carefully looked
to. and. with a large ship's lantern
throw inc out a brilliant light, we descended
the spiral stair in a body, and hanging
np the lijht. waited what might ensue. It ws
a very calm night, and the gentle ripple of
the waves against the rock was barely audible,
and so profound was the dead silence that we
could hear the slow monotonous ticking of
tLc clock in the w at JL-xo jm. A3 w blood
and waited, w knew not for what, in almost
the foundations of that lonesome building,
the minutes seemed like hours, as we eyed
each other and the damp grim walls around.
Suddenly the little bell of the olook in my
room rang out eleven, and during tha minute
or two that ensued we held our very breaths
in expectation.
All at once the struggling and oaths com
menced close to as in the cellar. The
words were audible now "Down, d n you,
down !" in harsh, rough tones, intermingled
with heavy blows and feeble moans for mercy.
Suddenly, before our very face, the door
which we bad fastened so carefully flew open,
and as the step went by us we crouohed back
almost into the very wall. The struggling
now sounded up in the watch-room, and then
again seemed coming nearer to us, step by
step, as if a heavy body was being lifted
down the stair. I glanced at my companions;
they were both ashy pale, but seemed calm
and resolute. Tho steps came nearer,
nearer, and again passed into the cellar;
and again the wild cry of "George! George!
for God's sake, don't murder me!" rang
out close by; and as tho words died away,
a vision appeared before us, the horror of
which, even at this lapse of time, makes me
f-but my eyas in dread. By the light of a
pale lambent name that seemed to spring
from every part of the cellar, we saw the dead
body of a man lying on the ground, the faoe
and head so battered and covered with blood
as to make the features undistinguishable.
Over it stood a woman in her night-dress, her
arms extended as if to ward off a blow, while
from a gaping wound in her throat the blood
poured down in torrents. I remember the
agonized entreaty visible in the largo blue
eyes, and the rippling masses of golden hair
contrasting strongly with the blood-covered
bosom but no more; for I fell insensible,
When I came to, I found myself in bed, aud
so deplorably weak that I could barely turn
round. I had been nearly dying, it afterwards
turned out, from an attack of brain fever,
brought on, the doctor said, by over-mental
excitement.
It appeared,
on after-inquiry, that tho
vision scarcely
lasted a moment after I
became insensible;
that Mr. Thomson and
Wilson, who had
retained their
senses,
although terribly alarmed, had carried me up
stairs, where, finding that I only roused out
of my insensibility to become delirious, I
had remained ever since. Mr. Thomson
was so much impressed by what he
had witnessed, that he determined t have the
lighthouse thoroughly searched; and next day,
taking a large party and plenty of light, the
cellar was closely investigated, and the ham
mer which lay in the corner foand to be
covered with blood and human hair. Close
by the wall, and, as nearly as they cold
judge, below where the vision had ap
peared, a large stone bad been appa-
lently. recently moved, and Mr. Thomson
determined to take it up. This was done; an 4
after removing a quantity of loose sand, the
decomposing bodies of a man and woman were
discovered exactly as they had appeared to us
the woman in her night-dress with her throat
cut, and the man with the skull horribly frac
tured and the face beaten in.
The remains were identified as tho wife of
the late keeper, and the son of a neighboring
farmer, who used to be a good deal at the
lighthouse. Information was at once given
to the police of the discovery of the double
murder, as no doubt it was, and a strict
search was instituted after the late keeper.
It was months before he was traced, and then
only found almost on bis deathbed.
Before he died, however, he confessed the
crime with which he was charged, and even
described how it was committed.
It appeared that he had long suspected his
wife of too close an intimacy with a young
man in the neighborhood; and one
Friday night, while on shore,
received what, to his jealous mind,
was a confirmation of his suspicions, and,
frenzied with rage, determined to have re
venge. The next night he contrived to get
the young fellow off to the lighthouse; and
after plying him with drink till he was al
most insensible, he dragg 1 him to the cellar
and despatched him with repeated blows of a
sledge-hammer.
Maddened with brandy, and now deter
mined to complete his vengeance, he rushed
np stairs and dragged his wife down from her
bed; and showing her the mangled remainsof
her supposed lover, cut her throat, in Bpite of
her entreaties and declarations of innocence.
Fearing lest the sea should reveal the crime,
be buried the bodies in the cellar, and taking
a tew valuable articles to divert suspicion,
tied the spot.
Even while in the throes of that death
which defeated the ends of justice, he de
clared that by day and night his wife had
haunted him, and that, from the hour in
which he had done the deed, to the time he
had confessed it, he had never known one
moment's peace.
FhiloBophers may aooount for the scenes I
have related, or learnedly disprove them, as
they please; I only know that, from being an
utter unbeliever in the supernatural, I have
now got bo much faith in it that, though my
present way of life is quite unconnected with
the sea, I never hear the plash of the waves
without recalling with a reminiscent shudder
the hours 1 passed on the "flaunted Rock.
WATOMES, JEW EUR Y, ETO.
tWlS LADOMUS & CQ,
'BIAMOXM DEALERS & JEWELKI13.T
W4TUIKS, JKHTSLKI A BILTBtt WAKK.
.WATCHES and JEWELRY REPAIRED.
.02 Chestnut St., PnU
Would Invite attention to their large stock of
Ladles' and Cents' Watches
Or American and foreign makers.
DIAMONDS In the newest styles of Settlntra.
LADIES' and GENTS' CHAINS, seta Of JEWELRY
of the latest styles, BAND AND CHAIN
BRACELETS, Etc. Etc.
Cur stock has been largely Increased for the ap-
proaching holidays, and new goods received dally.
Silver Ware of the latest designs In great variety,
for wedding presents.
Kopalrlug done In the best manner and guaran
teed. 5 11 fmwS
TOWSR CLOCKS.
o. 22 NOUTH SIXTH STREET,
Agent tor t(T EVENS' PATKNT TOWKli CLOCKS,
both hemootolr fc Oraham Escapement, striking
hour only, or striking quarters, and repeating hour
on full cbltne.
Estimates furalahed on application either person,
ally or by mail 6 an
WILLI A M B. WARNS CO.,
Wholesale Dealers In
1 WATOHKS, JEWKLHx, AND
Sillyl K1LVJSK WAHK,
First floor of No. 688 CHKSNTJT Street,
p. K. corner BKVENTH and CHKSNUT Streets.
JOHN FARNITM CO.. COMMIRSTON MER
hie. and Msn.fMMivn irnmm HMwaitl
afia, m UUimali tfc W rUa4alii M
FINANCIAL
Bowles Brothers & Co,,
PARIS, LONDON, BOSTON.
No. 10 WILLIAM Otroot
N o v Y o i It,
ISSUE
Credits for Travellers
IN EUROPE.
Exchange oa Paila and the Unio
Bank of London,
IN SUMS TO SUIT.
UT3ra
QITY OF BALTIMORE,
11,200,000 six per cent. Bonds of the Western
Mar j land Railroad Company, endorsed by the City
of Baltimore. The unden igned Finance Committee
of the Western Maryland Iiallroad Company; offer
through the American Exchange National Bank
11,800,000 of the Bonds of the Western Maryland
Railroad Company, having 30 years to ran, principal
and interest guaranteed by the city of Baltimore.
This endorsement having been authorized by an
act of the Legislature, and by ordlrjauce of tha
City Council, was submitted to and ratified by an
almost unanimous vote of the people. As an adU
tionai security the city has provided a sinking f and of
1200,000 for the liquidation of this debt at maturity
An exhibit of the flnauclal condition of city
shows that she has available and convertible assets
more than sufficient to pay her entire Indebtedness.'
To Investors looking for absolute security no loan
offered In this market presents greater inducements.
These bonds are offered at 87 and accrued late
rest, coupons payable January and July.
WILLIAM KEYSER,
JOHN K. LONGtWELL,
MOSES WIESENFELD,
1 6 60tt Finance Committee,
ELLIOTT, COLLINS & CO ,
No. 109 South THIRD Street,
MEMBERS OP STOCK AND GOLD EX
CHANGES.
DEALERS IN MERCANTILE PAPER,
GOVERNMENT SECURITIES, GOLD, Etc.
DRAW BILLS OF EXCHANGE ON TUB
UNION BANK OK LONDON. 3 Bfraw
LUMHbK
. : i
U71 SPRUCE JOIST. 1QT1
IcWl fipKUca joist. 10 1 1
HEMLOCK,
HEMLOCK.
1 QTi SEASONED CLEAR PINE. 1 QT-f
10 4 1 SEASONED CLEAR PINE. JOll
CHOICE PATTERN PINE.
SPANISH CEDAR, FOR PATTlfltN
RED CEDAR.
lOTI FLORIDA FLOORING. 1 CTI
10 I 1 FLORIDA FLUORiNQ. 10 1 1
CAROLINA FLOORING.
VIKOINIA F IJO KING.
DELAWARE FLOORING.
ASH FLOORING.
WALNUT FLOORING.
FLORIDA STEP BOARDS.
RAIL PLANK.
1 QT1 WALNUT BOARDS AND PLANK, -t QpyH
10 4 lWALNUT BOARDS AND PLANK, 10 4 I
WALNUT BOARDS.
WALNUT PLANK.
1QTI UNDERTAKERS' LUMBER. 1 Qrri
10 I 1 UNDERTAKER'S' LUMBER. 10 I 1
RED CEDAR. -
WALNUT AND PrNE.
1871
SEASONED POPLAR.
SEASONED UUEKRY.
1871
ASH.
WHITE OAK PLANK AND BOARDS,
HICKORY.
1Qm CIGAR BOX MAKERS' 107i
10 4 1 CIGAR BOX MaKBRS' 10 4 1
BPANlbH CEDAR BOX BOARDS,
FOR SALE LOW.
1871
CAROLINA SCANTLING.
CAROLINA H. T. SILLS.
NORWAY SCANTLING.
1871
1871
CEDAR SHINGLES. 1 QT1
CYPRES SHINGLES. 10 4 1
MAULE, BROTHER fc CO.,
No. woo SOUTH Street.
us
I) AN EL PLANK. ALL THICKNESSES.
COMMON PLANK, ALL THICKNESSES.
1 COMMON BOARDS.
l and a hike funce boards.
WHITE PINE FLOORING BOAR 14 S.
YELLOW AND SAP PINE FLOORINGS, IV and
4W SPRUCE JOIST. ALL SIZES.
HEMLOCK JOIST, ALL 8IZES.
PLASTERING LATH A SPECIALTY,
Topether.wlth a general assortment of Building
Lumber for sale low for cash. T. W. 8MALTZ,
11 so 8m No. 1T18 RIDGE Aveuoe, north of Poplar Stf
ENGINE. MACHINERY. ITO.
fTL PENN STEAM ENGINE AND BOILED
;2&ya works nkafie a levy, phaoti.
CAL AND THEORETICAL ENGINEERS, MA.
CUINIST8, BOILER-MAKERS, BLACKSMITHS,
and FOUNDERS, having for many years been ia
occesardl operation, and been exclanlvely engaged
In building and repairing Marine and River Engines,
hlKh and low pressure, Iron Boilers, Water TaDks,
Propellers, etc. etc., respectfully offer their serviees
to the public as being fully prepared to contract for
engines of all slsess, Marine, River, and Stationary;
having sets of patterns of dlffeient sizes, are pre
pared to execute orders with quick despatch. Every
description of patteru-makiug made at the hottest
notice. High and Low Prxasure Flue Tubular and
Cylinder Boilers of the beat Pennsylvania Charcoal
Iron. Forging of all sise and kinds. Iron and
Brass Caatlngs of all deacrlptloBS. Roll Turning.
crew Cutting, and all other work connected
with the above business.
Drawings and apeciucatlons for all work done
the establishment tree of charge, and work gaa
ran teed.
The subscribers have ample wharf dock-loom rot
repairs of boat, where they can He in perfect
safety, and are provided with shears, block, fali
etc etc, for raising heavy or light weights. '
JACOB C. NBA FIB,
JOHN P. levy:
1 1M BEACH and PALMER Street.
Q7KARD TUBE WORKS AND IRONCO
PHILADELPHIA, PA.,
Manufacture Plain and Galvanised
WRoL'GUT-iRON PIPE
and Sundries for Uaa and Steam Fitters, Plumbers
Machinists, Railing Makers, Oil KeSuera, eto.
TWENTY-THIRD AN M FiLrERT HTREKTS.
1 No. iS N. FIFTH BTKELT.