Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-01-18
NO..22.

and boldly rushed to the cellar stairs, but te--
fore he descended half the steps, the large sau,,
Ger eyes and enormous horns Of the ram caused
him TO retreat as much terrified as his son, ex-
Claiming: s. 40
"Sure enough, the devil is in the cellar 2
The good man seized the great bible. and
attempted to read, but the candle sputtercsl,
burned blue, and threw such feeble light on
the sacred pages, and the book trcmbled 50
much in the hands Of the reader that he could
not distinguish one VOID from another, Tho
little children cried and cung to their mother;
the girls nestled close to their fayoritc swains,
and the whole house was shaken with the as -
tation of its half dcmcntcd inhabitants. One
bright thought, however Q. o.currcd-and amcs-
sengcr was sent for the minister to come and
"a lay the devil" M -.
The parson, a man more celebrated for good
nature, piety and crcdulty, than for talent and
her ism, slipped small bible into his pocket,
put on his band and surphce, that he might
appear as formidable to his great antagonist
as possible. and hastcncd 20 the relief OF his
distressed Pensioners.
On coming to the house, the reverend man
was hailed as a deliverer, and implorcd by at
least dozen voices at the same moment, to
drive the devil away. Dut few were lost III
asking questions which no one could answer
before the parson pushed forward as leader,
with the same pcnmious light, into the cellar,
the most courageous of the company keeping
close behind hin. He reached the foot Of the.
stairs. There the eyes Of fire, the shadowy'
outlines of the enormous horns, masnihed ten
fold at least by the terror of those that behcld
them removed all doubt, if any existed in his
mind, as to the internal nature OF the being
with whom he had to contend.
The divine instantly fell on lis knees, and
| with upliftcd hands began TO pray in his most
ferv MT manner The ram not understanding
the pious mans motives, but supposins by tho
motion of his hands that he was daring him TO
butting contest, made pass With all his
might at his supposed adversary, but, deceived
by the swelling Dimensions Of his drapery,
missed the slender body of the priest, and
drawing hastily back to renew the assault,
| hooked one of his horns into the belt OF the
surplicc and pulled the priest with him into
! the cellar. Eb'
While thus in the power of his victorious
foe, he lost hope as it regarded himself, andthc
natural benevoenee of his disposition burst
| forth in tho oxolamation, efsa
Brethren, take care of yourselves; the
devil has got meP
EThis exhortation was better obeyed than any
he had ever delivered from the pulpit-his
friends all fled and left him TO his fate.
Among the company was shrewd young
farmer. who had, from the first, supposed the
Gend to be some domestic animal, but being
lover of fun, and willing to see a comedy, kept
his thoughts to himself and pretended to SYM
pathize with others in their fears. He thought
it time to interfere, and, snatching pitch pine
knot from the blazing fire, expressed his de-
termination to rescue the preacher or perish
in the attempt.
"Don't dontr shouted several
"What does the devil care for fire 2 said
another.
"Take along the bible if you 1M go?' sus-
gested another.
But, unhceding the suggestion and the mani
festations of concern for bis safety, be pushed
into the cellar, seized the animal by the horns
calling to the astouishcd parson, /" Follow me-
The horned devil was led in triumph, followed
by the ecclesiastic, in the midst Of the COM
pany. A momentary silence and hanging
down of heads cnsued, but the past was too
ludicrous to admit of sober rejection, and loud
peals of laughter burst forth from every side,
during which the ram was turned out at the
door, the parson absented himself without cerc-
mony, and the sports of the evening were re-
sumed with better spirits than before.