The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1855-11-15
THE MONEY DIGGER.
A LEGEND.

an ancient seat of the noble house oil Caven-
dish, which had long been in such a state of
desertion and decay that it has been lhorghl
expedenl TO demolish il altogether. AT the
commencement OF the great civil war, on
the Sir Charles Holham taking possession of
Hull for the Parliament, ii had been for sew
eral years, a place of refuge FOR several
| wealthy royslists. For this reason perhaps,
or from others more valid, q tradition had
long prevailed in the neighboring village,
that many hidden treasures had been dis
covered at different times abou. the house
and grounds of Lounsborough Castle. The
noble owners, of course, treated these ru-
mors with contempt; and never took any
steps for asserting their manorial rights, or
investigating their supposed claims.
About the middle of the last century, the
charge of the ancient domain was commit
ted 10 a man OF the name OF Christopher
Hobson, who with his vile and two daueh-
tors, constituted It's soc occupants. The fe-
males were occupied in keeping the house
in decent order, whilst Christopher, or as he
was commonly called Kester, busted himself
in the gardens and arounds-so that IN case
OF an unexpected visi, from the noble own
ers, which sometimes happened, the family
were not wholly unprepared for their recep-
ton.
| Kester Hobson was in the habit Of spend
ing two or three evenings in week at a
small public house in the adjacent village,
where few of the neishbars generally as
sembed AT the period we are speaking OF,
many of the lingering superslions of the
dark ages still maintained their ground 10 va
rious paris of the kingdom, and in none did
they keep their hold with greater tenacity
than in The village of Yorkshire Wods. AT
their fireside meetings, the conversations fre-
spectng Lounsborouah Castle aud amongst
other legends equally veracous, il was al
firmed that on one occasion, towards the
close of the civil war, band of round head
Gue,rillas under Harrison: having suddenly
surprised the castle, where some Baltic mer-
chants of the kings Party had taken refuge,
the unfortunate cavaliers had been obliged
10 hurry their money, and having afterwards
! made desperate resistance were all killed
in defence of their precious deposits. So
strong was the attachment of these worthy
traders, 10 their beloved wealth, that, even
after death, their shadowy forms had often
been seen lowering round the obscure places
of :he castle domain like the ghosts Of IN.
| b.. n hon of f.,
deed, it is we'll known TO have been one of
the most deep-rooled opinions OF the olden
time, that il any person had buried monev or
jewels during his life time, his spirit could
ed. 1t may seem strange 10 some readers
that at this late period of history, there
should have prevailed "such utter darkness
in the people" but The author of this little
narrative is we'll assured of their reality
Haud ignotG loquor.
The of repeated and well atlested stories
made deep impression on Kesters mind /;
and often when sitting alone in his chimney
corner, heswould muse upon those marvel
lous circumstances, and reflect with bitter
ness on his own misfortune in being doomed
to live in poverty amidst these countless
hoards of wealth, and perhaps day after day.
to tread il under his feet, without being able
10 reach even single noble-but compelled
10 Toll through his whole life for miserable
pittance of few shillngs week. One win.
ter's night, having retired TO bed full of lhese
melancholy thoughts, he fell into deep sleep
and dreamed that sober, business-lo looking
man, with ledger under his arm, and pen
behind his ear, appeared at his bed side, and
after giving him a solemn and sepulchral
look, such as becomes messenger from the
tomb, delivered portentOus injunction to
the following effect :-Chrslophe Hobson
was commanded TO depart Immediately for
London, and when arrived there was ORDER
ed to walk backwards and forwards over
London Bridge for an hour, on three success
sive nights, Immediately after DARK, during
which he would hear of some important
event that materially concerned himself and
family.
This vision was so much more vivid, con-
SietSu' duu ruihHiS iudi All uiuHdIy uTedID,
that it left deep impression on Kesters mind
and he thought Of little else the whole OF the
following day. But though sufficiently ST.
perstilious, ye; the expense and trouble of u
journey 10 London were at that time matter
of such serious import, that he could moi bring
himself TO resolve on so perilous an under,a-
king on grounds that he could NOT help feel
ing TO be rather equivocal. The next night,
however. the same visitation was repeated,
and in terms and ia manner still more aw-
ful and peremptory. His mind now became
quite bewildered, and he began to think se-
riously that an admonition, thus solemnly re-
peated, could no, with safety be disreg arded
But on the third night the sceplre appeared
again, and delivered The same injunction with
such an alarming and menacing aspect, that
on awakening the next morning, Christopher
hesiisted no longer, but began instantly TO
make preparations for bis journey. He Told
| his family that afJa;s cf :.,.no.,onoa ;ob