The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-09-15
How Sandy Killed tho DevIl,

BY "fools" we do not mean the gene-
raj class Of persons indicated by the
word, but that smaller class of the
community commonly called "parish
fools" or ''naturals. Those unfortu-
mates, without being habitually or
necessarily insane, usually labor under
some hallucinatlon, which overshadows
their lives, and causes them, when
under its Influence, to indulge in such
freaks and fancies as are peculiar to
the lunatlc; though, when freed from
the cloud obscuring their mental vision,
they act very much like their neigh
bors.
Such was Sandy Macintosh, who
flourished in the beginning Of the cen
tury. a native of one Of the northern
parishes Of Caithness, he was as well
known for twenty miles round as the
Kirk steeple. The swiftest runner and
the most trustworthy messenger in the
place, Sandy was kept in constant en-
ployment, and numbered among his
patrons both the laird and the minis
ter. The peculiar delusion under
which he labored was a CONVICTION that
he had been born for tile express pur-
pose of Staying his Satanic majesty,
and many were the wlld-goose chases
embarked in by Sandy to annihilate the
arch enemy; for he recognized him-so
he averred-under all shapes and
forms, such as crow, q hare, or q
black cat; and when started in pursuit
of the foe, would follow up the trail
for hours, nay, sometimes for days.
LII vain the minister-whom Sandy
accounted his particular friend-strove
to convince him that the enemy Of
mankind was spirit, and as such in
visible. No argument, however telling,
had amy effect Oh Sandy. He listened
respectfully, it is true, as he always
did, to everything, however trivial,
uttered by his friend; but when the
reverend gentleman paused for lack of
breath, the fool invariably remarked
with sagacious nod: "Weel, minister,
ye ken best; though there's ae thing We
have overlooked. Ye Gamma deny
what's written in the guild book, Tho
devil goes about like a roaring lion
seeking whom he may devour.' And
when [ see ye fcchtin' him Sabbath
after Sabbath, bangin' the pulpit, and
shaking your fist at him, says | to
mysel; SANDY, man, it's odds but some
day ye'll catch the dell mapping, and
then the minister will thank you for
that days work." So Sandy remained
unconvinced, and continued his hunt
ing exploits with such zeal that the
black cats OF his neighborhood had need
or all their mine lives" to elude his
persistent pursuit.
Now the minister was in the habit Of
killing IA "mart," or fat OK, at IIaIlow-
mas, tor the consumption Of his family
during the Winter. The beef was
salted, and the hide sold at the nearest
town. That important functionary,
who in Scotland is termed the "minis-
ter's man" was usually intrusted with
with the disposal Of the skin, and on
this particular occasion had departed
with his burden somewhat late in the
evening. But the night was fine, and
he trudged along the road for some
miles with no thought save the speedy
fulfilment Of his errand. Presently he
heard approaching tile sound OF foot.
steps, and u voice, which he recognized
as that Of Sandy Macintosh, singing:
"We1l gang nae MAR a-roving SO late
into the night" The opportunity for
playing a trick was irresistible; and
resolving to give Sandy q fright, the
minister's man wrapped the hide about
him, taking care that the horns should