Marquette University High School - Flambeau Yearbook (Milwaukee, WI)

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,g1,4' ...sf gi' V f4',.x4. L 1 Big er is The Haunted Islam! ANTUCKET is a beautiful island that is located in what is called the Thousand Island Group in Lake Ontario at the head of the St. Lawrence River. It is comparatively large and beautifully wooded, broken here and there by small ravines and pigmy hills which give it the appear- ance of a veritable paradise. Surmounting one of the hills, over- looking the turbulent river below,. was an imposing log summer lodge, of fair proportions and comfortable looking, giving sightseers the impression that money was not a vital factor in its con- struction. This attractive island, with its equal- ly attractive home, was owned by a Charles VV. Presscott, a successful business man, from an old VVisconsin family. Presscott had purchased the island for a song, he said, because as he stated, The old fogey who had pre- viously owned it, swore up and down that the place was haunted with all the bad spirits in the world. VVhen Presscott had offered to purchase the island, the man sold out for an ex- tremely small figure in order to trans- fer the responsibility of the property. Presscott moved to his island early in the summer and found that in so doing, he was made a subject of both the United States and the Dominion of Canada, because of the fact that the international boundary line passed through the island. He could, if he so wished, pass from one country to the other by moving from one part of his island to another. This amused him very much and whenever he had visi- tors, this would be one of the first 11 things he would point out as being of interest on his estate. During the early summer days, much of Mr. l,resscott's time would be spent on fishing expeditions to various places about the islands where fish were to be found in great abundance. lfle found great pleasure in the tussles with the finny prey. On certain other days, for the sake of variety, he would substitute his shotgun for the fishing rod and then paddle away to shoot the wild ducks and geese that made the islands their feeding grounds. Towards the middle of summer, while Presscott was entertaining some friends at his lodge, he became aware of the presence of the fantastic and haunting things that bothered the former owner. The trouble began one dark, starless night, late in july, after all had turned in for the night. The only noise to be heard was that of the water in its mad rush to the sea. Suddenly a piercing scream rent the air as if a woman were in distress. All of the inhabitants of the lodge jumped from their beds and ran to the shore thinking that some woman might be drowning. But as no one was found and no other screams were heard all returned to the house. VVhen all were settled the screaming was again repeated at various inter- vals. After many fruitless searches the men began to fret and the women grew nervous and hysterical. For several succeeding nights noth- ing eventful took place and then came the most horrible of nights. It was filled with hideous sounds. There were agonizing screams, maddening

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zw' -. iv: XG- Q -E--il-E1 ,Y as-J 2? fg-2 5 g 1, 'E-ff.-F5 55 5 - I ' e e e . speak. He asked me to raise him upg noticing that he was sinking fast I complied with his wish. Pointing to the northwest he whispered these words. Go until you see the Saint of the Desert and under his hand you shall find your reward. Then suddenly his face lighted with joy, his lips moved and bending close I caught the words, It is he the Saint of the Desert. I looked in the direction of his stare but could see nothing. Slowly his body relaxed and in a moment he was dead. Early the next morning, before the heat of the day, I dug a shallow grave, and there beneath the skies I buried him. I piled the grave high with stones and carved as best I could, a headboard for his final resting place. A few days later, having found no gold, I continued on my way. The sight of the grave and the thought of him, whom it covered, kept me from entering the desert in search of the promised reward. I journeyed to- wards the hills, prospecting there in many places, during the next five years, with varying luck. One night after a particularly hard day's work, I dreamed of the scene I had witnessed five years before. Again I saw the dy- ing man crawling along the sand and calling for help. Again I heard those words, Go until you see the Saint of the Desert and under his hand you shall find your reward. In a month I was again at the old camping spot. The grave and the camp site were as I had left them. After a few days of rest and prepara- tion I started across the desert. The heat was intense, curling up from the hot sands like fire. The sun hung overhead, showering clown mercilessly its hottest rays. I must have been all over the desert 10 in search of the Saint, at least so it seemed to me. But somehow I felt that I would see him and then my searching days would be over forever. In a week my water was almost gone. I estimated that I was about in the middle of that sandy waste. Two more days passed and the first of my mules diedg that afternoon in the blaze of the sun the second fell over. Aban- doning part of my equipment I con- tinued on my way. In the next twen- ty-four hours I let the last drops of water trickle down my burning throat. Still I staggered on. That afternoon I saw a hummock of sand about two hundred yards ahead of me. The little bit of green showing at the top of it gave me hope and with renewed strength I plodded onward. A few rods further on my way I again looked at the dune. There above the heat waves, with hands outstretched as if in welcome, was the Saint of the Desert. He was clad in the robes of Biblical times, his face was filled with pity and kindness and around it burned a golden light. I fell down on my knees, stunned by the sight. Again I re- membered the words of the dying man and with new courage pushed on. When I arrived at the foot of the hum- mock the apparition disappeared. Crawling to the top of the sand hill I surveyed the landscape on the other side. The sand dune shielded a little pock- et of green. To me it was paradise and salvation. I rushed to the spring at its head and bathed myself in the cooling and refreshing waters. That night I went to sleep on a bed of green praising God and His mysterious mes- senger. The next day I examined my find. On the edge of the hole was a curious kind of rock. In places it was so brit- CONTINUED ON PAGE 132

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3' Tv -in whale. 1' D 5-if -glib -4 , ,N W, 55:3 Egg-gi , iris ET5 4-5-'E-: 555 E3 -I' .- I' - -- - f 5 yel's and to climax events ghostly Hg- urcs began to prowl among the trees, evading the shots hred at them by the men. A young lady who had ventured off on the veranda was knocked sense- less by a heavy missile hurled by some unknown hand. Everyone, except l'ressccztt and a close friend by the name of l.a Rue swore that the place was haunted. NVhen the young lady had regained c nsciousness, she demanded to be taken to mainland as soon as possible. No amount of persuasion could change l.er mind. Other members of the party beganlsiding with her and soon the two friends were the only ones willing to risk further stay on the islandg so the launch was prepared and in a short time all were on their way. After the party had landed, Press- cott and La Rue started back promis- ing that they would solve the mystery or die in the attempt. lf that house is haunted, quoted Presscott, I'm a ghostfl There is someone or something else behind these unearthly actions besides ghosts. The launch sped on. Passing be- tween two small islands, the men came upan a scene that startled and almost paralyzed them, for advancing at a great speed, was a large motor boat, void of any lights and not a sound coming from its under water exhaust. It was lcaded with many suspicious l oking cases. La Rue spun the pilot wheel hard to port in an attempt to avt .rl the collision. Then followed several moments of horrible suspense after which the boats 1net. There was a sickly scraping sound which made both men sick and weak, then the large boat shot by them with the members of the unknown crew loosening a string of vile oaths at the smaller ves- sel. Both men sat very still in the boat waiting for it to show some signs of sinking but it remained afioat. An in- spection disclosed no serious leaks convincing the men that the boats had touched lightly. I wonder if those men know that it is a criminal offense to be on open water without showing lights P asked LaRue. They must, answered Presscott. and sailing that way makes me be- lieve that their trade is not very legiti- mate. From then on, Presscott fell into very deep thought from which he could not be drawn even by LaRue. Xyhen the pair reached quarters, they divided time so that they could keep a vigil until dawn which was fast approaching, but nothing out of the ordinary happened. The next day at noon both men were startled by the approach of a large motor cruiser, Hying the stars and stripes off her stern. Aboard the boat were a half dozen uniformed sailors while advancing towards the veranda was a man in a blue uniform with a visor cap and a gold braid across his chest. He was evidently an officer. After the usual greetings were ex- changed, the ofhcer casually began tcm question the friends. He asked them their occupation, residence and similar questions. Say, replied Presscott angrily. VVe've had enough trouble around here lately without you bothering us. XN'hat's the idea? Last night we were almost drowned by a boat without lights and several nights ago I and some friends were almost driven to distraction by unearthly sounds and ghostly sightsfi Well, said the ofhcer, a serious frown upon his countenance, I'll tell CONTINUED ON PAGE 122 12