Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1853-08-06
A Yankee Story.

NHiCu Was qulte new 10 US.
About half past eleven O'clock on Sunday
night, human leg, enveloped in blue broad
cloth might have been seen" entering Dea-
con Cephas Barberry's kitchen window. The
leg was followed, finally, by Sunday -go-to-
meeitn'-clothes. II was, in short Joe May
weed who thus burglarously won bis way
into the deacons kitchen. kftt
"Wonder how much the old deacon made
by ordern' me not to darken his door again ?"
soliloquized the young gentleman, "Promis-
ed him | wonldn't but didn't say nothin' a.
bout winders. Winders is Just as good as
doors Il there amt no nails to tear your trow-
sers onto. Wonder if Sally'll come down?
The critter promised me I'm afeard to move
about here, cause l might break my shins
over somthin' nutber, and wake the old folks.
Cold enough to freeze q Polish bear here.
o, here comes Sally"
The beautiful maid d,s end, d,wiih pleas
ant smile, tallow candle. and box oflucipher
matches. After receiving a raptnrous greet
ing, she made up rousng fire 10 the cooking
stove, and the happy couple sat down to enjoy
the sweet interchange of VOWS and hopes
But the course Of true love ran no smoother
in Barberry's kitchen, than it does elsewhere,
and Joe, who was Just making up his mind 70
treat himsel to kiss was startled by, the
voice Of the deacon, her father, shouting from
bis chamber door :-"Sally What are you
getting up in the middle Of the night for ?"
"Tel him it's most morning" whispered
Jcc.
al can't tell 6b!" said Sally.
"l'll make it truth, then" said Joe; and.
running to the huge, old-fashioned clock that
stood in the corner he set it at FIVE.
Look at the clock, and tell me what time
it s' cried the old gentleman.
ats FIVE by the clock" answered Sally:
and, coroborstjug her words, the old clock
struck FIVE.
The lovers sat down and again resumed
their conversation. Suddenly the staircase
began to creak. "Goody gracious! It's ia
ther, exclaimed Sally.
"The deacon! by thunder" cried Joe.
Hide me Sallyl" ne
"Ob, know" said he. "I'll sqqeze into
the clock-case." And, without another word.
he concealed himself n the case, and closed
the door.
The deacon was dressed, and sitting him.
self down by the cooking stove, pulled out
his pipe, lighted it, and commenced smoking
deliberately and camly. "Five o'clock, eh :"
said he "Well, shall have time to smoke
three or four pipes, and then I'll 60 and feed
the critters.''
Hadn't you better feed the critters fust,
sir" suggested the doubtful Sally.
"No, smokin' clears my head, and wakes
me up" replied the deacon, who seemed not
whit disposed to hurry his enjoyment
whizz-ding! ding dngl
went the clock.
"Tormented lightning" cried the deacon.
starting up, and dropping his pipe on the stove,
"what'n creations that"
"Irs only the clock striking 6ve!' said
Sally tremuous!y.
Whiz! ding ding! ding! went the
clock furiousy.
"Powers of mercy" cried the deacon
"Striken' FIVE! it's struck hundred already"
deacon Bsrberry ?' cried the deacon's
better half, who had hastily robed herself, and
now came plungng down the staircase in the
widest state Of alarm, "what Is the matter
with the clock?" SO
Goodness cnly knows" replied the old man.
"Its been in the family these hundred years.
and never did know it to carry on SO afore."
whiz1! dingl ding! ding! went the
clock again.
"It'll bust itseifl" cried the old iAdy. she'd
ding a food Of tears, "and there won't be moth
in left of it"
ats bewitched!" said the deacon. who re-
tanned leaven Of good cd New England
superstition in his nature. "Any how" said
he after pause, advancing resolutely towards
the clock, "I'll see what's got into 1t.
"Oh, don't" cried his daughter, seizing one
Of his coat tails, while his wife clung TO the
other. "Dontl" chorused both women to-
gether. ,,..sl
"Lct 90 my raiment," shouted the old dea-
con. al amt afcard Of the powers Of dark
ncss'
But the women would not let go; SO the
deacon slipped out of his coat and while, from,
the sudden cessation of resistance, they fell
heavily on the hoor he darted forward. and
laid his hand upon the clock-case But no
human power could open it Joe was hold
ing il inside with death grasp. The cid
deacon began to be dreadfuly frightened.
He gave one more tug. An unearthly yell,
as Of fiend in distress, burst from the einside.
and then the cock-case, pitched headfornoss
at the deacon, fell headlong on the hoors
smashed its face, and racked its fair proper
tions. The current of air extinguished the
lamp-the deacon the old lady, and Sally,
fed up stairs, and ice Mayweed. extricating
himself from the clock, effected his escape in
the same way which he entered. as
The next day Appleton was alive with the
story of how Deacon Barberry's clock had
been bewitched, and though many believed
his version, some. and especially Joe Asyweed.
affected to disceedit the whole affair, limiting
that the deacon had been trying the expert
mcnt of tasting frozen cider, and that the va.
gayies of the clock case existed only ia dis
tempered imagiu alton. -
However, the interdct being taken of.
Joe was allowed to resume his acourting, and
won the consent ofthe old people to his union
with Sally. by repairing the old clock till it
went as well as ever.
EE An amusing accusation. says the
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