Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-12-28
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land-speculafor for whom he had professed
the greatest friendship. The poor land
jobber begged him to grant few months
indulgence. Tom had grown testy and
irritated, and refused another day.
.'My family will be ruined, and brought
upon the parish" said the land jobber.
"Charity begins at home, !" replied Tom
II must take care of myself in these
hard times"
"You have made 80 much money out of
me-" said the speculator.
Tom lost his patience and his piety.
1.-The devil take me-" said he, ''if l
have made farthlng!"
at the street-doer. He stepped out to see
who was there. A black man was hold
ing black horse, which neighed and
stamped with Impotence.
tom, you're come for" said the black
fellow gruffly. Tom shrank back, but
too late. He had left his little Bible at
the bottom of his coat pocket. and his big
Bible on the desk buried under the mort
gage he was about to foreclose never was
sinner taken more unawares.
The black man whisked him like child
into the saddle, gave the horse the lash,
and away he galloped, with Tom on his
back, in the midst of the thunder storm.
The clerks stuck their pens behind their
ears, and stared after him from the win
dows. Away went Tom Walker, dashing
down the streets; his white cap bobbing
up and down; hisl morning gown flutter-
ing in the wind, and his steed striking fire
out of the pavement at every bound.
When the clerks turned to look for the
black man. he had disappeared.
Tom Walker never returned to fore
close the mortgage, A countryman. who
lived on the border of the swamp, re-
ported that in the height of the thunder
gust he had heard great Gathering of
hoofs and a bowling along the road. and
running to the window caught sight of a
| figure such as have described, on a horse
that galloped like mad across the fields.
over the hills. and down into the black
hemlock swamp toward the old Indian
fort; and that, shortly after, thunder
bolt falling in that direction seemed to set
the whole forest in blaze.
The good people of Boston shook their
heads and shrugged their shoulders. but
| had been so much accustomed to witches
| and COLLINS, and tricks of the devil. in all
kinds of shapes, from the first settlement
of the colony, that they were not so much
horror-struck as might have been expect.
ed. Trustees were appointed to take
charge of Toms effects. There was moth
ing. however, to administer upon. On
searching his Golfers, all his bonds and
mortgages were found reduced to cinders.
In place of gold and silver. his iron chest
was filed with chips and shavings; two
skeletons lay in his stable instead of his
half starved horses. and the very next day
his great house took fire and was burnt to
the ground.
Such was the end of Tom Walker and
his ill-gotten wealth. Let all gripping
money-makers lay this story to heart. The
truth of it is not to be doubted. The very
hole under the oak-trees. whence he dug
kidd's money, is to be seen to this day !;
and the neighbering swamp and old
Indian fort are often haunted in stormy
nights by figure on horseback, in morn
ing-gown and white cap, which is doubt
less the troubled spirit of the usurer. In
| fact, the story has resolved itself into a
proverb. and is the origin of that popular
saying. so prevalent throughout New
England. of 1.-The Devil and Tom
Walker"