Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-11-17
Easii.sH ScreecHc5,l.
From the Bos on Transcript.

From the Bos on Transcript.
A correspondent at Cstervilie, Mass,
writes us: / suppose nearly every village
on the New England coast has its tradi-
tional story connected with the exploits of
the far-famed Captain Kidd, but the one
to which universal credit is given in the
small secluded place in which l am now
staying, may be new to some of your read
ers. 1t was told US by an old sea captain,
one beautiful afternoon just toward dusk
(which enhanced the effect of the tale, to
while away part of an hour during which
the wind left our little bark as idle as a
painted ship upon a painted ocean," 1t
seems SO the legend runs, that Captain
Kidd, after an unusually successful expo
dition, entered the bay on the shores of
which this village stands, in search of a
repository for his ill-gotten gains. He Sc
Iected sheltered spot on an island in its
center, and to guard against it ever being
disturbed, he killed a village maiden
named Hannah" and left her spirit to
watch over the place till his return. Years
passed, and in all human probability Kidd
had been many years dead, and there lay
the treasure unclaimed, and to the some
what indolent villagers it seemed shame
to miss the chance of acquiring wealth in
such a rapid manner; SO two of the most
daring men started, at midnight, of course,
and rowed in light skiff to the fated spot,
taking with them rods of witch hazel,
which, as every one knows, are unfailing
indicators of the resting place of any hid
den treasure. They landed and slowly adj
vanced inland, watching anxiously for the
bending of their wands to show the spot
where their hopes of wealth lay. At
length the witch hazel quivered, waved
wildly round there was no breeze.) and
finally dropped slowly, till it nearly
touched the ground.
The men seized their tools, and eagerly
set to work. Soon a deep pit yawned before
them. and their strength was beginning to
fail. when dull metallic sound greeted
their ears, and reused them to redoubled
activity! They had struck something hard
and soon heavy iron chest was exposed
to view. 1t had two strong rings in the
top, and these the men firmly grasped-
when at once there rose on the night the
fearful scream of woman! The chest
was slowly drawn down into the earth.
nearly pulling the men with it. On look
ing round, they beheld themselves the CEN
ter of a circle round which we're moving
white animals of every description. pranc'
ing and uttering the various cries of their
species. The terrified men fled to thell
boat, where new horror awaited them
When they tried to pull off, behold, Han
nah" at the stern, robed in white, her hail
blowing in the wind and her eyes CLEAN.
ing with unnatural light, holding the boat
fast to the shore. Their fear was great
but one, happily remembering what name
was used to exercise evil spirits, cried in 9
loud voice, Hannah, in the name Of the
living God, let gow and she threw up bel
hands, shrank back and slowly vanished
from their sight, and their boat was free
Having been once disturbed Hannah
can never rest, and any time passing the
island at midnight yoI can hear her pierc
ing cries. sceptical ''city people" say il
is only the owls, but have it on the au
thority of the ''oldest 1nhabitant" that is IL
none other than Hannah Screechem."