Cleveland County Leader (Lexington, Okla. Terr.), Vol. 8, No. 20, Ed. 1 Saturday, February 11, 1899 Page: 6 of 8
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PHANTOM SHIP
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I
The Plying Dutchman.
-BY CAPTAIN MARRY AT.
CHAPTER I.—(Continued.)
, "That, Philip, I shall never he. I feel
Ithat death claims me; and, oh, my son,
| were it not for you how I should quit
| this world rejoicing! I have long been
'dying, Philip—and long, long have I
prayed for death,"
"And why so, mother?" replied
[Philip, bluntly; "I've done my be3t."
! "You have, my child, you have; and
• may God bless you for it. Often have
I seen you curb your fiery temper—re-
strain yourself when justified in wrath
—to share a mother's feelings. 'Tis
npw some days that even hunger has
jiot persuaded you to disobey your
'mother. And, Philip, you must have
thought me mad or foolish to insist so
long, and yet to give no reason. I'll
speak—again—directly."
The widow turned her head upon
the pillow, and remained quiet for
some minutes; then, as if revived, she
resumed;
"I believe I have been mad at times
—have I not, Philip? And God knows
I have had a secret in my heart enough
to drive a wife to frenzy. It has op-
pressed me day and night, worn my
mind, impaired my reason, and now, at
last, thank Heaven! it has overcome
(this mortal frame; the blow is struck,
Philip—I'm sure it is. I wait but to
tell you all—and yet I would not—
'twill turn your brain as it has turned
mine, Philip."
"Mother," replied Philip, earnestly,
"I conjure you let me hear this killing
secret. Be Heaven or hell mixed up
with it—I fear not. Heaven will not
hurt me, and Satan I defy."
"I know thy bold, proud spirit,
Philip—thy strength of mind. If any-
one could bear the load of such «
dreadful tale, thou couldst. My brain,
alas, was far too weak for it; and I
see it is my duty to tell it to thee."
The widow paused as her thoughts
reverted to that which she had to con-
tide; for a few minutes the tears rain-
ed down her hollow cheelts; she then
appeared to have summoned resolution
and to have regained strength.
"Philip, it was of your father I would
speak. It is supposed—that he was—
drowned—at sea."
"And was he not, mother?" replied
Philip, with surprise.
"Oh, no!"
"But he has long beed dead,
mother?"
"No—yes—and yet—no," said the
widow, covering her eyes. Her brain
wanders, thought Philip, but he spoke
again.
"Then where is he, mother?"
The widow raised herself, and a
tremor visibly ran through her whole
frame, as she replied:
"In living judgment."
The poor woman then sank down
again upon the pillow, and covered her
head with tho bed clothes, as if she
would have hid herself from her own
memory. Philip was so much perplex-
ed and astounded, that he could muko
110 reply. A silence of some minutes
ensued, when, no longer able to bear
the agony of suspense, Philip faintly
whispered:
"The secret, mother, the secret;
quick, let me hear it!"
"I can now tell all, Philip," replied
his mother, in a solemn tone of voice.
"'Hear me, my son. Your father's dis-
position was but too like your own.
Oh, may his cruel fate bo a lesson to
you, my dear, dear child! He was a
bold, a daring, and, they say, a first-
rate seaman. He was not born here,
but In Amsterdam; but he would not
live there because he still adhered to
the Catholic religion. The Dutch, you
know, Philip, are heretics, according to
our creed. It is now seventeen years
or more since he sailed for India in his
fine ship, the Amsterdammer, with a
valuable cargo. It was his third voy-!
Hge to India, Philip, and it was to have
^een, if it had so pleAsed God, his last,
for he had purchased that good ship 1
with only part of his earnings, and
one more voyage would have made his
fortune. Oh, how often did we talk
over what we would do upon his re-
turn, and how these plans for the fu-
ture consoled mo at the idea of his
absence, for I loved hint dearly, Philip
—he was always good and kind to me
and after he had sailed, how I hoped
for his return! The lot of a sailor's
wife is not to bo envied. Alone and
solitary for bo many months, watch-
ing the long wick of the candle, and
listening to the howling of the wind-
foreboding ovil and accident—wreck
and widowhood. He had jjeen gone
about six mouths, Philip, and .there
was still a long, dreary year to wait
before I could expect him back. One
night you, my child, were fast asleep;
you were my only solace, my comfort
In my loneliness. I had been watch-
ing over you in your slumbers; ynu
smiled and half pronounced the narnq j
of mother; and at last I kissed your
unconscious lips, and I knelt and
prayed—prayed for God's blessing on
you, ciy child, and upon him too-
little thinking, at the time, that he was
so horribly, so fearfully Cursed."
The widow paused for breath, and
then resumed. Philip could not speak.
His lips were sundered, and his eyes
riveted upon his mother, as he devour-
ed her words.
"I left you and went downstairs into
that room, Philip, which-since that-
dreadful night has never been reopen-
ed. I sat me down and read, for the
wind was strong, and when the gale
blows, a sailor's wife can seldom sleep.
It was past midnight, and the rain
poured down. I felt unustial fear—I
knew not why. I rose from the couch,
and dipped my finger in the blessed
water, and I crossed myself. A violent
gust of wind roared round the house,
and alarmed me still more. I had a
painful, horrible foreboding; when, of
a sudden, the windows and window-
shutters were blown in, the light was
extinguished, and 1 was left in utter
darkness. I screamed with fright; but
at last I recovered myself, and was
proceeding toward the window that I
might reclose it, when whom should I
behold, slowly entering at the case-
ment, but—your father—Philip! Yes,
Philip, it was your father!"
"Merciful God!" muttered Philip, in
a low tone almost subdued to a whis-
per.
"I knew not what to think—he was
in the room; and although the dark-
ness was intense, his form and fea-
tures were as clear and as defined as if
it were noonday. Fear would have in-
clined me to recoil from—his loved
presence to fly toward him. I remain-
ed on that spot where I was, choked
with agonizing sensations. When he
had entered the room, the windows and
shutters closed of themselves, and the
candle was relighted—then I thought
it was his apparition, and I fainted on
the floor.
"When I recovered I found myself
on the couch, and perceived that a cold
—oh, how cold!—and dripping hand
was clasped in mine. This reassured
me, and I forgot the supernatural
signs which accompanied his appear-
ance. I imagined that he had been un-
fortunate, and had returned home. I
opened my eyes, and beheld my loved
husband, and threw myself into his
arms. His clothes were saturated with
rain; I felt as if I had embraced ice—
but nothing can check the warmth of
woman's love, Philip. He received my
caresscs, but he caressed not again; he
spoke not, but looked thoughtfully and
unhappy. 'William—William," cried I;
'speak, Vanderdecken; speak to your
dear Catherine.'
" 'I will,' replied he, solemnly, 'for
my time is short.'
" 'No, no, you must not go to sea
again; you have lost your vessel; but
you are safe. Have I not you again?'
" 'Alas, no—be not alarmed, but lis-
ten, for my time is short. I have not
lost my vessel, Catherine, but I have
lost— Make no reply, but listen. I
am not dead, nor yet am I alive. I
hover between this world and the
world of spirits. Mark me.
" 'For nine weeks did I try to force
my passage against the elements round
the stormy Cape, but without success;
and I swore terribly. For nine weeks
more did I carry sail against the ad-
verse winds and currents, and yet
could gain no ground; and then I
blasphemed—ay, terribly blasphemed, j
Yet still I persevered. The crew, worn
out with long fatigue, would have had
me return to the Table Hay, but I re-
fused; nay more, I became a murderer
—unintentionally, It Is true, but still
a murderer. The pilot opposed me,
and persuaded the men to bind me, and
in the excess of my fury, when he took j
me by the collar, I struck at him; he 1
reeled; and with the sudden lurch of
the vessel ho fell overboard, and sank.
Kven this fearful death did not re-
strain me; and I swore by the frag-
ment of the Holy Cross, preserved. In J
that relic now hanging round your I
neck, that I would gain my point In
defiance of storm and seas, of light-
ning, of Heaven, or of hell, even if I
should beat about until the Day of
Judgment.
" 'My oath was registered in thun-
der, and in streams of sulphurous fire.
The hurricane burst upon the ship, the
canvas flew away In ribbons; moun-
tains of seas swept over us, and in the
center of a deep overhanging cloud,
which shrouded all in utter darkness,
were written in letters of livid flame,
those words: Until the Day of Judg-
ment.
" 'Listen to me, Catherine, my timo
Is short. One hope alone remains, and
for this I am permitted to come hero.
Tako this letter.' He put a leaded
paper on the table. 'Read it, Catherine
dear, and try If you can assist me.
Read it, and now farewell—my time
is come.'
"Again the window and window-
shutters burst open—again the light
was extinguished, and the form of my
husband was, as it were, wafted in the
dark expanse. I started up and fol-
lowed him with outstretched arms and
frantic screams as he sailed through
the window; my glaring eyes beheld
his form borne away like lightning on
the wings of tho wild gale till it was
lost as a speck of light, and then It
disappeared. Again the windows
closed, the light burned, and I was left
alone!
"Heaven have mercy! My brain!—
my brain! Philip!—Philip!" shrieked
the poor woman; "don't leave me—
don't—don't—pray don't!"
During these exclamations the fran-
tice widow had raised herself from the
bed and, at last, had fallen into the
arnrerbf her son. She remained there
some minutes without motion. After
a ttHfcs JPhilip felt alarmed at her long
quicjj^H^e; he laid her gently down
upon the bed, and as lie did so her
headjfell back—her eyes were turned—■
the Widow Vanderdecken was no more.
CHAPTER II.
Philip Vanderdecken, strong as fie
was in mental courage, was alziost
paralyzed by the shock when he dis-
covered that his mother's spirit had
fled; and for some time he remained
by the side of the bed, with his eyes
I fixed upon the corpse, an.d his mind
| in a state of vacuity. Gradually he re-
j covered himself; he rose, smoothed
down the pillow, the tears trickled
down his manly cheeks. He impressed
j a solemn kiss upon the pale, white
forehead of the departed, and drew the
curtains round the bed.
"Poor mother!" said he, sorrowful-
ly, as he completed his task, "at length
j thou hast found rest—but thou hast
left thy son a bitter legacy."
And as Philip's thoughts reverted to
what had passed, the dreadful narra-
tive whirled in his imagination and
scathed his brain. He raised hie hands
to his temples, compressed them with
force and tried to collect his thoughts,
that he might decide upon what meas-
ures he should take. He felt that he
had no time to indulge his grief. His
mother was in peace; but his father
—where was he?
He recalled his mother's words—
"One hope alone remained." Then
there was hope. His father had laid a
paper on the table—could it be there
I now? Yes, it must be! his mother had
not had the courage to take it up.
! There was hope in that prayer, and it
1 had lain unopened for more than sev-
enteen years.
Philip Vanderdecken resolved that
he would examine the fatal chamber—
; at once he would know the worst.
I Should he do it now, or wait till day-
light?—but the key, where was it? His
j eyes rested upon an old japanned cab-
! inet in the room; he had never seen
his mother open it in his presence; it
was the only likely place of conceal-
ment that he was aware of. Prompt
in all his decisions, he took up the
candle and proceeded to examine it.
It was not locked; the door swung
open, and drawer after drawer was ex-
amined, but Philip discovered not the
object of his search; again and again
did he open the drawers, but they were
all empty. It occurred to Philip that
there might be secret drawers, and he
examined for some time in vain. At
last he took out all the drawers, and
laid them on the floor, and lifting the
cabinet off its stand he shook it. A
rattling sound in one corner told him
that in all probability the key was
there concealed. He renewed his at-
tempts to discover how to gain it, but
in vain. Daylight now streamed
through the casements, and Philip had
not desisted from his attempts; at last,
wearied out, he went into the adjoining
room, threw himself upon his bed, and
in a few minutes was in a sleep as
sound as that permitted to the wretch
a few hours previous to his execution.
During his slumbers the neighbors
had come in, and had prepared every-
thing for the widow's interment. They
had been careful not to wake the son,
for they held as sacred the sleep of
those who must wake up to sorrow.
Among others, soon after the hour of
noon, arrived Mynheer Poots; he had
been Informed of the death of the
widow, but having a spare hour, he
thought he might as well call, as it
would raise his charges by another
guilder. He first went into the room
where the body lay, and from thence
he proceeded to the chamber of Philip,
and shook him by the shoulder.
Philip awoke, and, sitting up, per-
ceived the doctor standing by him.
"Well, Mynheer Vanderdecken,"
commenced the unfeeling little man,
"so it's all over. I knew it would be
so; and recollect you owe me now an-
other guilder, and you promised faith-
fully to pay me; altogether, with the
potion, it will be three guilders and
half—that is, provided you return my
vial."
Philip, who at first waking was con-
fused, gradually recovered his geusei
during this address.
(To be continued.)
Few Americans arc twisting the
lion's tail for exercise these days.
i
Natives Face Artillery With Their
Primitive Weapons.
BOTH SIDES CHEERED LUSTILY
About 700 Naked Ygorotes Face Artil-
lery Fife With Hows and Arrows- —
Leave tlie Groan I Coverod With Dead
—They Killed Twolve Americans.
Manila, Feb. 7.—An exciting- in-
cident occurred during the Sun-
day engagement. The Wash-
ingtons and Idahos and Com-
panies K and M, of the Californians,
made charges across the rice fields be-
tween Paco and Santana in the face of
a terrific fusilado. The ground over
which they passed was covered with
dead and wounded natives. The for-
mer were burled in groups of five or
six, about where they lay, and the
latter were brought to the hospital.
It was at this stage of the fighting
and at Calvocan that the Filipinos
suffered their heaviest losses.
The Fourteenth regulars were in a
particularly tight place near Singalon,
and Colonel Duboce was compelled to
rush past them with the reserve in or-
der to prevent the regulars from be-
ing cut off. In tho last line twelve
men were killed before the rebels re-
tired.
Both sides cheered freqjently dur-
ing the engagement. The American
"hurrahs" were almost invariably met
by derisive "vivas." Among the na-
tives, the Ygorotes were especially
noticeable for their bravery, about 700
of these naked savages facing artillery
fire with their bows and arrows.
The scene at Manila when the alarm
was given on Saturday ni^'ht was
wildly exciting. The American sol-
diers at tho theaters and at the circus
were called out, the performances
were stopped. Filipinos scurried
GOMEZ CLINGS TO CUBA LIBRE
Antagonizes Foreign Intervention In a
Letter Which Arouses Enthusiasm.
Havana, Feb. 7.—Those who have
been led to believe that General Max-
imo Gomez was persuaded by the Pres-
ident's commissioner, Robert P. Por-
ter, to look more kindly upon the con-
tinued American occupation of Cuba
may disabuse their minds. The grim
old chieftain still clings fondly to
Cuba libre. He has abated no jot of
his antagonism to foreign interven-
tion of any sort, even though he ac-
cepts $3,000,000 for his warriors.
In liters published with his au-
thority, Gomez gives praise to his sol-
diers for their heroism and fortitude.
Continuing, he says: "It is wonder-
ful that they are left alive after such
horrible struggle and pains. We warn
you that wo may not yet have finished
the strange destiny that presents this
last trial and humiliation. We are
strangers in our own country, still
wet with our blood.
"Forced guidance is hateful to us
It appears that the Americans are re-
imbursing themselves for their spon-
taneous intervention in our war of in-
dependence. Their delay in that in-
tervention is still a shame upon them.
The Americans, instead of aiding, are
obstructing the establishment of a free
and independent republic.
"This is our house. We are to live,
in it. Wo should furnish it to our lik-
ing. I say to you there cannot be
peace in Cuba while there lasts that
transitory government, imposed by
force and hateful in the eyes of our
people.
"I had hoped to bid farewell to
Spain's heroic soldiers, inviting them
to return and join us as brothers in
upbuilding Cuba, but the Americans
embittered the joy of conquerors by
the guidance they impose upon us.
Embittering us, they have also added
grief to the conquored.
"In order to put an end to this ab.
normal and unjust situation every onG
of us must render his aid, tendering
anew all his energies to his country.
I, first of all, offer myself without re-
< J
everywhere, and the rattle of mus-
ketry and the booming of cannon out- j striction for the accomplishment of
•side the city was plainly heard. The [ the great undertaking of the revolu-
residents of the outskirts of Manila
flocked into the walled city with their
arms full of articles. All the carriages
disappeared as if by magic, the street
ears were stopped, the telegraph lines
were cut, and the soldiers hurriedly
but silently marched out af the city to
the stations assigned to them. The
stores were closed almost instantly;
foreign flags were to be seen flying
from many windows, and a number of
white rags wero hung out from Filip-
ino huts and houses.
On Sunday immense crowds of peo-
ple visited the water front and gath-
ered in the highest towers to watch
the bombardment. There were no
street cars or carriages to be seen, and
the streets were almost deserted.
The Minnesota troops, acting as po-
lice, searched every native and arrest-
ed many of tliem, with the result that
while there wero several attempts to
assassinate American officers on Sat-
urday, there were none on Sunday.
Absolute order was maintained.
The United States flagship Olympia
tion—the erection of a republic in
Cuba."
This letter, the genuineness of
ivhich is unquestioned, has filled the
Cubans with enthusiasm and added, if
anything could, to the old general's
popularity.
MORE BAD BEEF.
Havana, Feb. 7.—Inspector General
Breckinridge has discovered among
;he army rations issued to the
destitute in Havana hundreds of
cases of spoiled beef. The
marks on the cases show "Chicago,
July, 1898." They were bought by
Captain Oskaloos M. Smith of the sub-
sistence department of Armour and
Libby, McNeil & Libby, and were sent
to Porto Rico, whence they were re-
turned to Havana.
Lieutenant Colonel Smith, chief of
commissary in Cuba, has written to
General Breckinridge to inquire why
he is here, "interfering with the com-
missary business." General Iireckin-
steamed across the bay on Sunday and I ; in,,, , , ,
tn . „ „ ... ' , * ridge has ignored the letter, but has
took up a position near the German
cruiser Irene and the British cruiser
Narcissus, off the Mole.
there.
The Americans are determined not
to give the Filipinos a chance to re-
cuperate.
FLED JUST IN TIME.
Authorities Were Preparing to Arrest
Agoncilio.
Washin-oton, Feb. 7.—It is no secret
now that the authorities here were
preparing to arrest Agoncilio just as
he fled, fbut probably they are not
sorry that he got off safely and thus
relieved them from the performance
of a disagreeable task. The conduct
of the remaining members of the Phil-
ippine junta is still underdose watch,
and while tho treatment to be accord-
ed them has not been determined, it is
recognized that they are in a precarious
position legally, and can secure im-
munity only by tho exercise of the
greatest discretion.
The Filipino junta here is in a state
of bewilderment. Senor Agoncilio, its
head, fled so hurriedly that he failed
to leave instructions for the balance
of tho junta, and they accordingly are
dependent upon word from him as well
as hampered by the serious illness of
one of them. Their counsel, Ralston &
Siddons, withdrew from any relations
with them, and they are accordingly
now without advisers in a strange
country, and although told they will
not likely ba arrested, they have
a strong apprehension on that score.
Tho junta at o'clock had received 110
dispatches from Aguinaldo about tho
battle, and no word had come from
their fleeing chief, Agoncilio. This
forenoon Senor Lopez had a long in-
terview with their attorneys, at which
tho latter formally withdrew all con-
nection with them, and subsequently,
to mako their position clear, made tho
following public announcement:
"A conflict having taken placo be-
tween the American troops aud the
forces under General Aguinaldo, a
duty superior to that which a lawyer
owes to his client requires us to with-
draw from tho service of tho represen-
tatives here of tho Philippine repub-
lic, and this has to-day been done.
written to General Brooke that he is
in Ilavata under instructions from
She is still tjje ^yar department.
Colonel W. C. Smith.
Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 7.—Colonel
William C Smith, commanding the
First Tennessee volunteers, reported
to have died from apoplexy
at Manila, was a native of
Virginia and served with distinction
in the Confederate army in a
Virginia regiment. He was about 60
years of age, and leaves a wife and
several children who are now with
relatives in Virginia. Colonel Smith
was an architect of note.
Hantons Their Departure.
St. Louis, Mo., Feb. 7.—News of
fighting at Manila has hastened the
departure of the three battalions of
tho Twelfth United States infantry
from Jefferson barracks. Under com-
mand of Colonel Smith the troops left
Jefferson barracks yesterday for New
York, where they will bo joined by
the Fourth battalion. On February 9
tho regiment will embark on tho
transport Sheldon for Manila.
(Jullty of Manslaughter.
Hutchinson, Kan., Feb. 7.—Harry
Postlethwait, who was the principal
in the Boyd murder case here, pleaded
guilty to manslaughter in the second
degree. Judgo Simpson passed sen-
tence upon him at once, giving him
tho limit for that offense, live years in
the penitentiary.
Comfort Cost Her 1,1 fo.
Burlington, Kan., Feb. 7.—Georgia
Clay, a colored girl 14 years old, was
found smothered to death,at tho home
of H. G. lieatty, where sho was em-
ployed. When sho went to bed sho
wrapped a hot iron in a cloth and put
it in bod to wann her feet. The bed-
ding caught tire from tho iron.
C«mly Truit I'ropoied.
Chicago, Feb. 7.—Negotiations art.
in progross in this city for the forma-
tion of a candy trust composed of
about forty of the loading manufac-
turers of staple confections in tho
Unitwl Status,
f
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Lydick, J. D. Cleveland County Leader (Lexington, Okla. Terr.), Vol. 8, No. 20, Ed. 1 Saturday, February 11, 1899, newspaper, February 11, 1899; (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc108962/m1/6/: accessed May 4, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.