Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-05-07
aalataalIsl' 9 Department.
tHoM THE,PARsoN WAS CAUGHT.


hurried and confused extremely on the day
preceding that festival, by the multiplicity
thingswhich must be done before they
could leave home with safety. The house
WAS to be ssbanked up," and the gleaninggs
of the harvest -cabbages, turnips, and SO
.forth-put in the cellar, that the external
entrance thereto might be closedup for the
season. Having carried in the vegetables,
the boys were dispstched to the barn for
straw to Mlthe passages with, while the
good man himself was busted on the oppo.
esite side of the house. .
,s5 An old ram the horned patriarch Of the
flock Of sheep kept on the farm, having got
ataste of the scattered cabbagelesHes, un..
observed entered the cellar and continued
his feast The avenue through which he
entered was Immediately closed up, and all
the necessary works, and arrangements be-
ing completed, the larger boys and girls set
of on 6 foot in high glee, the dog running
and barking before them.
-, - Soon after, the parents and their little
,ofles, having put out the fres, and fastened
the doors and windows to keep out thieves,
started for the same destination.
ohsfon the afternoon of the day following
the festival, the family returned home &C
.companied BY some young cousins. Some
e:of their. youthful neighbors Of both sexes
were invited in, and q merry Thanksgiving
e Sg.carousal was in full tide Of successful ope-
ration, when one of the boys, who had been
sent into the-cellar with little two wick
candle, which gave just light enough to
make darkness visible, to draw cider, ran
back into the room, with eyes glaring wild
", uttering the hall. f.sufocated exclamation,
ssThe devil is in the cellar ~ f
sPooh" said the father, ''you have only
been frightened by your own shadow; give
me theIight." 4 = y ,7tfa,k
ss'Saying this, he seized the eandle-lea-
wing the candlestick fast in the hands of the
boy, and boldly rushed to the cellar steps,
but before he had descended half the steps,
the large saucer eyes and enormous horns
aof the ram caused him to retreat as much
terrified as his son, exclaiming, ssSure e.
5nough the devil is in the cellar !" SO
= The good man seized the great Bible,
and attempted to read, but the candle sput-
tered, burned blue, and threw such faint
light on the sacred pages, and the book
strembled SO much in the hands of the read
.er, that he could not distinguish one word
from another. The little children cried
and clungto their mother, the girls nestled
close to their favorite beaux, and the whole
honse was shaken with the agitation Of its
half demeated inhabitants. One bright
thought, however, occurred and q message
ma Mas sent for the minister to come and "lay
the devil" ar~e
The parson, man more celebrated for
good nature, piety, and credulity, than for
talent and heroism; slipped q small Bible
9 into his pocket, put on his band and sur
phce, so he should appear as formidable as
possible to his great antagonist, and hasten
ed to the relief of his distressed parishion-
ers. On coming to the house the reverend
gentleman was hailed as deliverer, and
; mplored by at least dozen persons, at the
same moment, to drive the devil away. But
few moments were lost in asking that which
no one knew, before the parson pushed for
ward as leader, with the same penurious
light, into the cellar, the most courageous
tsof the company keeping close behind him.
S He reached the foot Of the stairs, the eyes
of fire, and the shadowy outline of the enor-
NOUS horns, magnifed tenfold, at least, by
the terror of those who beheld them, reno
we'd 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
instantly fell on his knees, and with uplifted
hands, began to pray in his most fervent
manner. The ram, not understanding the
pious mans motives, but supposing by the
motion of his hands that he was daring him
to q butting contest, made q pass with all
:. his might at bis supposed adversary, but,
deceived BY the swelling dimensions Of his
cdrapery, missed the slender body of the
priest, and drawing hastily back to renew
the assault, hooked one Of his horns. into
the belt of his surpice, and pulled the
priest with him into the cellar. While thus
in the power of his victorious foe, he lost
hope, SO far as it regarded himself, and the
natural benevolence of his disposition, burst
forth in exclamation, Brethren, take care
of yourselves, the devil has got me!'
The exhortation 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 shrewd young
farmer, who had, from the first, supposed
the fend to be some domestic animal, but
being a lover of fun and willing to see a
8 comedy. kept! thoughts to himself, and
pretended to sympathize with others in
their fears. He thought it time to inter-
fere, and, snatching pitch pine knot from
the blazing fire, expressed his determine
. ton to rescue the preacher or perish in the
attempt.
ssDon't, don't!" shouted several.
'sWhat does the devil care for fre?" said
another.
"Take along the Bible, if you will 60,
shouted another. ..... -,
But, upheeding the suggestions, and the
manifestations Of concern for his safety, he
pushed into the cellar, seized the animal by
one of his horns, and dragged the strug-
Cling ram up stairs, calling to the astonish-
ed parson-"Follow met
The horned devil was led in triumph,
followed by the ecclesiastic, into the midst
of the company.
A momentary silence and hanging down