Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-08-11
Was d sPeCtre Iuh6
That bell when it swung
Swing-swang!
And the chain it squeaked,
And the pulley creaked,
Swing.swang!
And with every roll
Ofthe deep death toll
Dng-dong!
The hollow vault rang
As the clapper went bang,
Ding-donp!

less moving TO it, round and round the wheel
set with skulls, were well dressed ladies' ana
gentlemen and soldiers and sailors, and priests
and publicans, and jockeys and jennys, but all
without their heads. Some poor skeletons,
whose bleached bones were Uncovered by
moth-eaten pals, and who were not admitted
into the ring amused themselves by bowling
their brainless noodles at one another, which
seemed 10 enjoy the sport beyond measure.
Larry did not know what 10 think; his brains
were all in mist, and losing the balance which
he had so long maintained, he fell head lore
most into the midst Of the company OF Dulla-
hans.
'I'm done for and lost forever, roared Larry,
with his heels turned towards the stars, and
souse down he came.
"Welcome, Larry Dodd, welcome" cried
every head, bobbing up and down in the air.
a drink for Larry Dodd," shouted !hey, as with
one voice, that quavered like shake on the
bagpipes. No sooner said than done, for
player at heads, catching his own as II was
bowled at him, for fear Of its going aslray, put
the head without word under his left arm,
and, with the right stretched out, presented
trimming cup TO Larry, who 10 show his man
ners, drank il off like man
"'ris capital stuff" he would have said, which
surely it was, but he got no further than cap,
when decapilateG was he, and his head began
dancing over his shoulders like those of ;he
rest of the party. Larry, however, was not
the first man who had lost his head through
the temptation of looking at the bottom CT a
Drumming cup. Nothing more did he remem.
Der clearly. for it seems body and head being
parted is not very favorable TO thought, but
great hurry scurry with the noise OF carriages
and he cracking of whips.
Wheo his senses returned, his first act was
10 put up his hand to where his head formerly
grew, & to his great JOY there he found it still.
He then shook 1t gently, but his head remained
firm enough, and assured at this, he proceeded
to open his eyes and look around him. 1t was
broad daylight and in the old church of Kill
naslat,ery he found himself lying, with that
head, the loss of which he had anticipated,
quietly resting, poor youth, upon The lap OF
cath. Could it have been an ugly dream! 'Oh
no." SAID Larry, ga dream could never have
RP hfrdfr fhsad an ard cross marrow
bones forehenting me on the fine old tomb
stone .here that was faced by Pat Ktarneyt of
Kilcrea-but where is the horse?" He go, up
slowly, every joint aching with pain from The
bruises he had received, and went 10 the pool
OF water, but no horse was there. "Tis home
| must CO." said Larry, with a rueful coante-
nance; shut how will l face Nancy?-what will
tell her abou, the horse, and The seven |. o.
US that he cost me?-'Tis them Dalahans
tina, have made their own Of him from me
The horsesteang robbers Of he world, that
have no fear of The gallows! but what's gone is
gone, that's a clear case!'--so saying he turns
ed his steps hOmewards, and arrived a, his ca
bin about noon, without enc ountering any fur
Their adventures. There he found Nancy, who,
as he expected, looked as black as u thunder
Cloud at him for being out all night. She lis
tened to the marvellous relation which he gave
with EXPLANATIONS of establishment. and when
he had concluded, Of grief, at The loss Of the
horse thai he had pad for like an honest man
in |. y. US three of which she knew 10 be as
good as gold.
but what took you up 10 the old church al
all, out of the road, and at that time of night
Larry" inquired his wife.
Larry looked like criminal for whom there
was no reprieve, he scratched his head for an
excuse, but Eot one could he muster up, so he
knew not what to say.
"Oh! Larry, Larry" mutlered Nancy, after
waiting some time for his answer, her Jealous
fears during the pause rising like BARN; ".s
the very same way with you with any other
man; you are all alike for that matter, I've no
pity Tor you, but, confess the truth"
Larry shuddered at The tempest which be
perceived was about to break upon his devoted
head. Nancy said he, do confess: it was
young woman without any head lhat-.'
His wife heard no more. "A woman knew
/, was cried she; 'but woman without head,
Larry!-well it is long before Nancy Gallagher
ever thought it would come 10 that with her!
that she should be lett dssolute and alone her.
by her basic OF husband, for a woman with.
out head!-O father, father! and 0 mother,
mother! it is well you are low to day! tina,
you don't see this affection and disgrace to
your daughter that you reared decent and ten
der. o Larry, you villain, you'll be the death
Of your lawful wife going after such o.
o.
SWELL" says Larry, putting his hands in his
coat pockets, 'least said is soonest mended. or |
the young woman know no more than do OF |
Nloll Flanders; but this know, that a woman
wihout head may well be called Good Wo.
man, because she has no tongue!'
IL.