The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-02-03
VOL. X.
MISCELLANEOUS.
A Thanksgiving Tale.
FROM AN OLD PAPER.

ing TO celebrate thanksgiving al MS WHes
fathers in an adjoining town, were hurried
and confused extremely on the day proceed
ing the festival, by the multiplicity OF things
I which must be done before they could leave
home with safety. The house must be bank
ed up, and the gleanings of The har vest, cab
bages, turnips, &C., put into the cellar that
the external entrance thereto might be closed
| for the season. Having carried in the veg
etables the boys were despatched 10 the barn
for straw TO fill the passage way, while the
good man himself was busted on the oppO
site side of the house. An old ram, the horn
ed patriarch Of large flock OF sheep kept on
the farm, having got taste of some OF the
scattered leaves of The turnipS and cabbages,
unobserved entered the cellar, and silently
continued his feast. The avenue through
which he had entered was Immediately clos
ed up. ard all the necessary work and ar
engagements being completed, the larger boys
and girls set off on foot in high glee, the dog
running and barking before them. apparent
ly as well pleased with going 10 Grandma
pas as all ofthe happy group.
Soon after the parent PAIR and their little
ones, having put out the fire and fastened
the doors and windows, by means OF many
curious contrivances, 10 keep out thieves,
started in the sane direction.
festival, which had been kept unGer the pa
terndl roof with many devout and Jovlal eX-
ercises, the family returned home eccompa-
MED by some of their young cousins. Some
of their youthful neighbors Of both sexes
were invited in, and a merry thanksgiving
carousal was in full tide of successful opera
iion when one OF the boys, who had been
sem into the cellar, with little towwicked
candle, which gave just light enough 10
make darkness visible, 10 draw cider, run
back into the room with eyes glaring wildly.
u,terinq a half suffocaied exclamation
'The devil is in the celarn
POO said the father, you have only been
| frightened at your own shadow-give me
the light
On which he seized the candle. leaving The
candle stick ccncted fast in Tie shaking
| hand OF the boy. and boldly rushed 10 the Gel
lar stairs, but ere lie had descended half the
steps, the large saucer eyes and enormous
horns of the beast caused him 10 retreat as
much terrified as his SON
Sure enough the devil is in the cellar
The utmost confusion and uproar now per
vaded the house. The good man seized the
great bible and attempted 10 read, but the
candle spuitered, burnt blue, and threw so
feeble a light on the sacred page, and The
book trembled so much in the hand of the
reader that lie could not distinguish one
word from another The little children cried
and clung TO their mother-thc lasSes nestled
close 70 their iavOrite swains-and the whole
! house shook will. the agitation of its hal. de
mcnied inhabitants. One bright thought
! however. occurrcd-a messenger was des-
patched for The minister 10 lay The devil
/ The ParsOn. Il man more celebrated Tor
good nature, pieiy and creduiiiy. than for
talents or heroisn slipped the small bible IN
Ia lis pocket put on his band and snrpllce
ila; he mrh; appear as formidable TO Ills
GREAT adversary as possible and FASTENED to
the relief of his distressed parishioners.
On coming 10 The house the reverand man
WAS hailed as deiivcrcr. and Hrlored by al
least a dnzen voices IA once 10 drive the
tilaway.'
But few moments were lost in asking
questions, which no one could answer, before
The Parson was pushed forward as leader.
lighted by the same pcnurious candle, into
the cellar, the most coura geous of the compa-
ny keeping close behind him When he
reached the foot ofihe stairs the eyes OF fire
and the shadow outline of enormous horns,
magnified tenold at least by The ierrors OF
those that beheld them, removed all doubt, II
any had previously existed in his mind, as 10
the Internal nature ofthe being with whom
he had 10 contend. The divine instantly fell
on his knees. and will upiilted hands began
TO pray, in his most fervent manner. The
ram not understanding The >guoi mans mo
lives, but supposing. by The motion of his
hands, that he was daring him TO a bulting
contest, made pass with all his might at his
supposed adversary; but was deceived by
, the swelling dimensions OF his drappy. missed
the slender body of the priest and drawing
hastily back 10 renew the assault, booked one
OF his horns into the belt OF his surplice, and
pulled The Parson with him into the cellar !!
While thus in power of his victorious foe. lost
/ TO hope as il regarded himself the natural
| benevoence of his disposition burst forth in
the exclamation
/ Brethren, take care Of yourselves, the
/ devil has got mei'
This eXhOration was better 0bcyed than
any Thai he had ever delivered from the pull
pit; his friends all fed and left him 10 his fate.
Among the company, was n sIrewd young
farmer, who had from the first supposed the
/ fend TO he nothing more than some domes
tic animal, but being lover of fun. and will
ling 10 see a comedy, he kept his thoughts
10 himself, and pretented TO sympathise with
the others in their fears He now thought
it time TO interfere, and snatching pitch pine
knot blazing from The fire. expressed his de-
termination 10 rcsrue the priest or perish in
the attempt. A lovely young damse laid
hold of TIE skirts of his cortland the cry of
don't, DON'T proceeded from every part of
the room. Unheeding this kind concern for
his safety, he rushed into the cellar, seized
the ram by one of his horns and dragged the
struggling animal up stairs, calling td'rhe as
lonished Parson follow me- The horned
devil was led in triumph. followed by the
Vanquished EccIesiaslic, in the midst of the
company.
"A momentary silence and hanging down
Oh heads ensued The passed scene, howev-
er, was TOO iudicrous 10 admit of sober rehec-
ton, and loud peals Of Laughter burst forth
from every side, during which the ram was
turned out at the door. the Parson ahsented
himself without ceremony, and the sports of
the evening were resumed with better spirits
than before.
Il We shall soon have the news by the
Magnetic Telegraph. in Boston, from Wash