Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1852-06-19
THE GREY MARE IN THE GARRET.
A CURIOUS ENGLISH LEGEND.

culver, dedicated 10 the blessed Saint Mary,
hung, many centuries ago, picture, the
portrait df certain Dame Mary Maycoie
and her two children, of whom this singular
story is related. The picture was covered
by curtain which she worked with her
own hands. Her husband, Sir Cavaierro
Maycote, was, in the yAr of grace 114o, a
rich burgomaster of the nourishing city Of
Canterbury, though he resided latterly in the
fair town of Recuver, living al the sign of
the Paroquet, in the Market place. During
his lifetime a fearful plague desolated the
southwest quarter of Kent and among other
he fell sick though his wife, Mary, who
also fell sick of the pest, never recovered
but 10 all appearance died. After the usual
period had elapsed she was buried in the
vaults of the church al Reculver dedicated
to the blessed Saint Mary. She was buried
as the custom then was, with her jeweled
rings on her fingers, and most of her rich
ornaments on her person. These tempted
the cnpidity of the sexton Of the church
He argued with himself that they were of
no use 10 the corpse and he determined TO
possess them. Accordingly, he proceeded
in the dead of the night, TO the vault where
she lay inferred, and commenced the work
of sacrilegous spoilation. He first unscrewed
the coffin lid, he then removed it altogether,
and proceeded TO tear away the shroud
which interposed between him and his prey
But what was his horror TO perceive the
corpse clasp her hands together; and finally
10 sit erect in the coffin. He was rooted TO
The earth. The corpse made a move as
though it would step from its narrow bed.
He fled, shrieking, through the vaults. The
corpse followed, its long white shroud float
ing like meteor in the dim light Of the
lamp, which, in his haste, he had forgotten
1t was not until he had reached his own
door that he had sufficient courage TO look
behind him and then, when he perceived
no trace of his pursuer, the excitement
which had sustained him so EAR subsidized
and he sank senseless to the earth.
In the meanwhile, Sir Cavalierro Maycote
who had slept scarcely minute since the
death of his dear departed wife, was surpri-
sed by the voice of his old man servant
who raped loudly at his chamber door. and
told him 10 awake and come FORTH for that
his mistress had risen from the dead, and
was then al the gate of the courtyard.
''Bah bah ~ said Sir Cavalierro. pet
tshly Ego thy ways, Jacob thou art mad
or drunk or thou art surely in dream
What thou sayesl is impossible. should as
soon believe my old gray mare had got into
The garret, as that my wife was at the court
yard gate"
Troi, tro,, tro, suddenly resounded high
over his head-trot, iro,, trot.
'What's that ?' asked he Of Jacob.
~ know not" replied Jacob, ''an it be not
your old gray mare in the garrei, Sir Cava-
lierro 2"
They descended in haste 10 the court
yard, and looked up TO the window Of the
attic. Lo, and behsld there was, indeed,
The gray mare with her head poked out of
the window, gazing down with her great
eyes on her master and his man, and SEEM
ing 10 enjoy very much her exalted situation
and their surprise and CONSERVATION al it,
Knock, knock, knock, went the rapper al the
street gate.
''lt is my mistress !" exclaimed Jacob.
'It is my wife ~ exclaimed Sir Cavalerro
in the same breath. .
The door was quickly unfasiened, and
the'e stood the mistress of the mansion, en-.
veloped in her shroud.
"Are you alive or dead :" exclaimed the
aslonished husband.
"Alive, my dear, but very cold,n murmur
ed the lady family, her teeth chatlering al
the while, as those of one in a fever chill
"help me to my chamber"
He caught her in his arms ard covered
her with kisses he then bore her 10 hel
chamber, and called up the whole house o
welcome and assist her, She suffered a
little from fatigue and fright; bnt in a few
days she was as well as could be expected
under all the circumstances.
The thing began TO be the talk Of the
good town of Receiver and thousands
hocked 10 see not alone the lady that was
| lC5SuSh itOih S'oNC AZ oO hdoIS Il
manner, but also the grey mare, who Sc
strangely contrived to get into the garret
and so contribute TO ,ha, rescue.
This excellen, lady lived long and happily
with her husband and, at her death, wa:
laid once more in her old quiet resting
place.
The grey mare, after remaining in the
garret for three days, was gol down b,
means of ropes, pulIeys, machinery, and OF
inclined planes, quite safe and sound. The
interesting animal sometime survived he
mistress, and grew 10 be general favoriis
with the good people of Reculver Wher
she died, her skin was stuffed and placed il
The arsenal Of the Roman station as q
curiosity.
The sexton went mad with the fright he
had sustained and in short Time entered
that borrr from whence he had so uninten-
lionally recovered the vile OF the rich
burgomasier .-.. .--....
Mrs. Partington says if the Maine Liquor