The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1853-05-19
From the Flag of our Union.
THE BEWfTCHED CLOCK .

uoy HlSh'' huihdH ieS eHFeiOPeu IN Dlue
broadcoth might have been seen enter.
ing Deacon Cephas Barberry's kitchen
window. The leg was followed finally,
by the entire person of live Yankee, at.
tired in his Sundy 90 to.meeting clothes.
1t was in short, Joe Mayweed who, thus
burglarously, in the dead OF night, won
his way into the Deacon's kitchen.
Wonder how much the old deacon
made by orderin' me not to darken his
doors again !! soliloquized the young gen.
teman. promised him | wouldn't. but
didn't say nothia' about winders. Win.
ders is just as good as doors, eff there
amt no nails to tear your trowsers onto.
Wonder If Sal'Il come down the criuer
promised me. I'm ateard 10 move about
here, cause might break my Sbins over
somethjn' nutaer, and wake The old folks
Cold enough TO freeze Polish bear here
o, here comes Sally
The beaueous maid descended with a
pleasant smile, a tallow candle, and card
Of Luciier matches After receiving a
rapturouS greeting she made up a rousing
fire in the cooking. stove, and the happy
couple sat down TO enjoy the sweet inter.
change OF VOWS and hopes. But the
course Of true love ran no smoother in
old Barbarry'S kitchen than it does else
where, and Joe. who was just making up
mis- mind to treat himself TO a kiss, was
startled by the voice of the Deacon. her
father. shouting from his chamber door :
Sally what are you getting up in the
middle Of the night for 2
Tell him it's most morning, whispered
Joe.
4 can't tell fb t said Sally.
III make it truth, then said Joe and
running TO the huge, old fashioned clock
that stood in The corner, he set it al five.
Look at the clock and tell me what
time it is cried the old gentleman up
stairs.
1T is five by the clock said, sally, and
corroboraiing her words the old clock
struck five.
The lovers sat down again and resumed
their conversation. Suddenly the stair.
case began to creak.
'Goody gracious It's father
The Deacon! by thunder!' cried Joe
Hide me Sal!'
where can hide you 2 cried the dis.
tracted girl.
20, know said he. IN squeeze in.
10 the clock. case And without another
word, he concealed himself in the case,
and drew the door behind him.
The Deacon was dressed. and seating
himself down By the cooking stove. pulled
out his pipe lighted it, and commenced
smoking deliberately and calmly.
Five O'Clock, eh = said he. We'll. !
shall have time TO smoke three or four
pipes, and then | Il 60 and feed the crit.
ters'
Hadn't you better feed the critters
iuSt. sir. and smoke afterwards 2 sugges.
ted the dutifu Sally.
'No-smoken' clears my head, and
wakes me up answered the Deacon, who
seemed not a whit disposed 10 hurry his
enjoyment.
Burr.r.r.r.r- whiz-ding! ding! ding!'
went the clock.
'Tormented lightning' cried the Dea-
con. starting up. and dropping his pipe
on the stove; what in creations that!'
It's only the clock striking five = said
Sally tremulously. "
'Whiz! ding! ding! ding! ding ding!'
went the clock turiously.
Powers of marsy!' cried the Deacon.
'Slriken' five! its struck q hundred al.
ready
Deacon BarberryH cried the Deacon's S
better.half, who had hastily robed her.
self, and now came plungng down the
staircase in the widest state OF alarm
What is the matter with the clock?'
Goodness only knows replied the old
man. It's been in the family these hun.
dred years, and never did know tito
carry on so before
Whiz =! bang! bang! bang! bangl went
the clock again.
It'll bust itsell!' cried the old lady,
Shedding a flood Of tears, 'and there
won't be nothing let Of it,
Ats bewitchedl said the Deacon !. who
retained a leaven ofgood old New Eng
lands superstition in his nature. Any
how, he said aiterva pause. advancing
resoIutslyg toward The clock, s'l'll see
what's goijnto it,
20, don't cried his daughter, affection.
ately seizng one Of his coat,tails, while
his faithful vile cIung to the otheE-
'Dont!' chorussed both the women to.
gether.
Let 20 my raimentl' shouted the old
Deacon. 4 amt aieared OF the powers
OF darkness
But the women would not let go; SO
the Deacon slipped out of his coat, and
while, from the sudden cessation Of re.
Sistence, they fell heavily 10 the floor, he
darted forward, and laid his hand upon
The door Of the clock case. Bul,no hui
man power could open it. Joe was hold.
ing it inside with death grasp The old
Deacon began % be dreadtully frightened
He gave one more tug. An unearlhIy
yell Hs of 6end in distress. burst from
the inside, and then the clock case pitch
ed head formoSt at the Deacon, fell head
long on the floor, smashed its face, ant
wrecked its fair proportions. The cur
rent of air eSinguished tie lemp--tht
Deacon, the old lady, and Sally fled u
stairs, and Joe Mayweed, extricating him
self from the clock, effected his escape II
the same way in which he had entered
The next day all Appletown was aliv
with the story of how Deacon Barberry'