American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1824-12-24
From the Salem Observer.
THANKSGIVING. ArALE

"A
In one of the small interior towns Of New ENG
land where the superstiilons OF our ancestors sill
possess strong hold he minds OF the people, the
fact occurred few years since on-which the follow
ing tale is founded.
An honest farmer and his family preparing to
celebrate Thanksgiving, at his wte's fathers in an
adjacent town, were hurried and confused extremely
on the day preceding that festival by the multiplicity
OF things, which must be done before they could
leave home with safety. The house wac to be bank
FL up. and the glean'ngs Of the harvest, cahbares
turnips &c. pat into the cellar, that the external en-
trance thereto might be closed for the season Hay.
Ing carried IN The vegetables the boys were despatch.
e TO the barn Tor straw fill the passage way while
The good man himself was busted on the oppo.
site side Of the house. An old ram the horned Dat.
rlarch OF large Hook OF sheep kept on the farm
having got taste OF some Of the scattered leaves Of
the cabbages unobserred, entered the cellar and 81
lenty continued his feast. The avenue ,hrouph
which he had entered WIS Immediately closed IN
ana all the necessary work and arrangements being
completed, the larger boys and girls set of on foot
~ nigh glee, The dog running and barking before
them, apparently as well pleased with going 10
Grandpapa's as any d the happy group.
Soon after the parent pair and their little ones.
having put out the lire and fastened the doors and
windows, by means oil many curious contriyances
TO keep out thieves, started on the same destina
ton.
In the afternoon Of the day following the festival
which had been kept under the paternaI roof with
many devout and jovial exercises the family retur
ned nome accompanied by some of their young
cousins. Some of their youthful neghbors, o{ both
sexes were invited in and merry Thanksgiving ca
rousai was 10 the full tide Of successful operation.
when one OF the boys, who had been sent into the
cellar, with little t0o ciched CANDLE which gave
lust light enough TO make darkness visible to draw
cider, ran back into the room with eyes glazing
wildly, uttering half suffocaed excamalion-,he
Detlt !, IN the cellar! i" Poo,'' said the father.
woo have only been frightened by your own shad
ow-9iVe me the light" On which he seized the
candle, leaving the candestick clenched fast in the
shaking hand Of the boy, and boldly rushed TO The
cellar stars, but ere he had descended half the steps
Inc large saucer eyes and enormous horns of the
oeasI caused him to retreat much terrified as his
son" sure enough the derit is IN the cellar -
the utmost confusion and upIoar now prevailed in
inc mouse. The good man seized the great bible
aud attempted to read but the candle sputfered.
burnt olue and threw so feeble light on the sacred
page, and The book trembled so much in the hands
OF the reader, that he could dsting uish one word
from another The little children cried and clnn,
TO their mosher-the lasses nestled close TO their
1aYorlte SWANS -ans! The hole house shook win
the agitation OF its halt Gemented inhabitants.
bright thought however occurred-a messenger
was despatched Tor he minister "to lay the UerH .;
The Parsun, man more celebrated for rood un
ture plety aud creduiy, than for talents and hero
Ism, slipped the small bible into his pocket, Oh, on
MS band and surpiice that he might appear as for
midaoe to his great adversary as possible, and has
tened to the relief oil his distressed pari,hioners
On coming to the house, the reverend man wa
naheo as delyerer and impored by at least al
dozen voices at once " to drive the devil awav. %
But lew moments were lost in asking questions
which no one could answer, before the Parson was
pushed forward as a leader, lighted by the same
pehu ious candle into the cellar, the most courage
Gus OF the company keeping close behind him
hen ne reached the foot Of the stairs, the ewes oil
hire and the shadowy outline of enormous horns
magnhed ten fold at least by the terrors Of those
tiat Deheid them, removed all doubt if any had nrr
slously existed ~ his mind, 10 the Internal nature
OF ne being with whom he had To contend. Tn.
divine instantly Tell on his knees, and with uplil,ed
ma is began to pray In his most eivent manner
L nc ram not understanding the good man s motives, .
out surprising by the motion oil his hands that he
was daring him to buting contest made pass
VINO all hs might at his supposed adversary but
dc eived by the swelling dimensions OF his dranerv
M he slender body of The priest and drawnp
rs ny back 70 renew the assault hooked enc of his
horns INTO The belt of his surplice, and pulled the