Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1859-12-17

ruin Of an unhappy Speculation for whom
he had professed the greatest friendship
The poor land jobber begged him to grant
"a few months indulgence. Tom had
grown lesty and irrilaled, and refused to
give another day.
"My family will be ruined and brought
upon the parish" said the land jobbeT.
'.Chari,y begins at home" replied
Tom, II must take care OF myself these
! hard times"
You have made so much money out
Of me-" said he sp"cula,or.
Tom lost his patience and his plety.
The devil take me" said he, "ll have
made farthIng."
Just then there were three loud raps at
tie street door. He stepped out to see
who was there. A black man with a
black horse which neighed and stamped
with impotence.
"Tom, you are come for" said the
black fellow, gruillv. Tom shrunk back
but too late. lie had left his Bible at me
bottom Of his coat pocket and his big bI'
BILE On the desk, buried under the mort
GAGE he was about to fOreclOse-never
was a poor sinner taken more unawares.
! The black man whisked him like child
astride of the horse, and away he gaIIopen
/ in the midst of a thunderstorm. he
clerks stuck their pens behind tier cars
and started after him from the windows.
Away went Tom Walker dashing down
the streets, his white cap bob5lng up and
down, his morning gown hUiteling IN the
wind and his steed striking fire out OF the
pavemenls a! every bound. When the
clerks turned to look, the black man had
disappeared.
Tom Walker never returned 10 fore
close the mortgage. counlrymen VINO
lived near The swamp reported that IN the
height of the thunder-gus! he had heard
great claterng Of houfs and bowling
along The road, and that when he ran to
the window. he just caught sight OF hg-
ure such as have described, on horse
rha, galloped like mad across the fields,
over the hills, and down ipto the black
hemlock swamp toward The old Indian
fort. and that shortly after a thunder-boI'
ielI in that direction which seemed TO SET
the whole forest in blaze.
The good people of Boston shook their
heads and shrugged their shoulders.
| They had been so accustomed to witches
and hob goblns, and|Ihines OF the Devil
in all kinds and shapes, from the first set
dement, of the colony, that they were not
so much horrors,ricken as might have
expected. Trustees were appointed 10
take charge OF Toms effects. There ~Ss
! nothing, however, to administer upon.
On searching his Golfers, all his bonds
| and mortgages were found reduced TO cln'
ders. In place Of gold and silver, his
Iron chest was filled with chips and sha-
wings two skeletons lay in his stable IN
stead Of his haIl,siarved horses, and the
very next day his great house took hre
and burned to the ground.
Such was the cad ol Tom Walker and
his iIl-golten wealth. Let all gripping
imoney-brokers lay The story well TO heart.
The truth is not 10 be doubted. The
very hole under the oak tree, whence he
dug KIDS money, is TO be seen to this
day. and the nelghborng swamp and the
iold Indian fort IS often haunted in stormy
night by a figure on horse back IN NOR
.ning gown and Shiie cap, which Is doubt
less tile troubled spirit OF the Insurer.
In fact, this story has resolved itself IN
10 proverb, and is the chief origin OF the
popular saving prevalent throughout New
Eng land of The Devil and Tom Walk
er."
The PostoEice and Abolition Documents
The attorney general Of Virginia has
given All opinion as 10 The rights OF Inc
State authorllles 10 pIeTent she clrcuiauoh
of abolition documents through the post
Office. Attorney CeneTsI Tucker says
The laSs of Virginia require poSlmas'ers
to give notice to some justice. II they re-
ccive any book or writing lncInng ne
oToes TO rebel or intoxicating resistance to
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