The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1866-06-16

parSon, Il man moce celebrated for good
nature, picty and credulity, than for good
talents and hcrosm, slipped Il small Bible
into his pocket, put on his band and surplice,
that he might appear as formidable to his
great antagoni>; rs possible, and hastened
10 the relief of his distressed parshioners.
On coming to the house, the reverend man
was hailed as deiyerer, and implored by
at least a dozen voices at the same time, to
drive the devil away. But few moments
were lost in asking questions which no one
could answer, before the parson pushed for.
ward as II leader, with the same penurious
light into the cellar, the most courageous of
the company keeping close behind him. He
reached the foot Of the stairs, the eyes of
fire. the shadowy outlines of the enormous
horns, magnifed ten fold at least, by the
terror of those that beheld them, removed
all doubt, if any had existed, in his mind,
as to the internal nature of the being with
whom he had to contend The divine in
stantly fell on his knees, and with uplifted
hands, began to pray in his most fervent
ma,iler. The ram, not understanding the
pious mans motives, but supposing by the
motions of his hands, that he was daring
him to Il butting contest, made pass with
all his might at his supposed adversary, but,
deceived by the swelling dimensions of his
drarcry, missed the slender body of the
arrest, and hastily backing to renew the as
sault hooked one of his horns into the belt
Of his surplce, and pulled the parson with
him into the cellar
While thus in the power of his victorious
foe, lost in hope as it regarded himself the
natural bcnevolence of his disposition burst
forth in the exclamation:
''Brcthren take care of yourselves the
devil has got me-
This exhortaion was better obeyed than
any he had ever delivered from the pulpit
his friends all fed and left him to his fate.
Among the company was a shrewd young
farmer. who had from the first supposed the
iiend to be nothing more than some domestic
animal, but, being a lover of fun-and will.
ing to see a comedy, he kept his thoughts to
himself. and pretended to sympathize with
them in their fears. lie now thought it time
to interfere, and snatching a pitch pine knot
from the blazing fire, expressed his deter
mnarion to rescue the preacher or perish in
the attempt.
\ lovely damsel laid hold Of the tail of
his coat, and begged him to forcgo the rash
attempt
"Don't! DON'T" shouted several.
"What does the devil care for fire ?" said
another.
Take along the Bible, if you will go -
suggested another.
But unhcedng the suggestion and the
manifestations of concern for his safety. he
pushed into the cellar, seized the animal by
one Of its horns, and dragged the struggling
monster up stairs, calling to the astonshcd
parson, ''Follow mc!'
The horned devil was led in triumph, fol-
lowed by the vanquished ecclesiastic, in the
midst of the company. A momcntary 81
lencc and hanging down Of heads cnsued
but the past scene was too ludicrous to adj
init of sober reflection. and loud peals of
laughter broke forth from every side, during
which the ram was turned out at the door,
the parson abscntcd himself without cere-
mony, and the sports Of the evening were
resumed with better spirits than before.