The Osceola times., 1884-09-27
COOKS FOLLY"
An Old English Legend.

On the summit of the hill beyond
Sneyd Park, Bristol, just where the hill
begins to drop away toward the Severn
valley, stands a round, ivy.clad tower,
the central point in an exquisite circle Of
landscapes. The legend runs that the
wife of Sir Maurice Cook, owner of the
extensive estate in the neighborhood,
while walking in the demain, she being
then enciente, was pestered for aims by
by strange-looking man. She gave
him coin, saving, "That will buy you
food for the present" He importuned
her for more, profssing to be an astrolo-
ger. His importantly and her curiosity
prevailed, she gave him money, and
asked him to predict the fate of her firss
but unborn child. "Note the precise
mement when it enters the world, and
soon after you shall see me again"
Within week the babe was born. The
stranger duly appeared, learned the re-
quired facts, and next day presented the
father with scroll containing the fol-
ing lines:
Twenty times shall Avons tide
In chains of glistening ice be tied
Twenty times the woods of Leigh
Shall wave their branches merrily,
In Spring burst forth in mantle gay
And dance in Summers scorching ray;
Twenty times shall Autumna frown
wither all their green to brown
And still the child Of yesterday
Shall laugh the happy hours away.
That period past, another sun
Shall not his annual journey run.
Before silent, secret foe
Shall strike that boy deadly blow.
Such and sure his fate shall be-
Seek not to change his destiny.
The father read it with shudder. He,
however, concealed the drift of the hor h.
scope from his wife, and quieted her by
asserting the fellow to be gypsy impos-
tor. As the child grew in years and
beauty, the fathers anxiety increased,
this being his only son. Before the lad
had reached his twentieth year Sir Maui
rice had constructed this strange tower.
When the fatal year was about to begin
the father showed his son the scroll, ssd
entreated him to occupy the retreat un-
til the year expired. The young man
laughed at the prediction, but seeing his
fathers anxiety, took up his residence
in the prison. His meals were drawn
up by him in basket, and every luxury
was supplied. His mother was long
dca1, ba 11 % a.I.. ~; ..;;.ss,,aa.n!s wbep
either sist RS or father were not within
sight or call. And so the months rolled
on until the eve of the last day of the IA
tai year. Father and sisters joined him
in chorus of delighted anticipations OF
the morrow, and, ere they left, asked il
there was anything more they could dc
for him.
Nothing" he said, "yet as the night
feels chilly, and ! have little fuel, send
me up one more faggot."
Sir Maurice retired to his home. SLEEP
he could not. The morning dawnea; ia
ther and daughters fastened to welcome
their loved one.
"Walter, Walter |" the sisters cried
Answer. This is cruel jest"
Sir Maurice stood silent, after the com.
mand to the servants, "Fetcb ladder p
They did so, and dashing into the
room he found his son dead, with ser
pant twined around his arm and hii
throat covered with blood. The.reptilt
had crept from the faggot last sent t.
him. and had fulfilled the prophecy
Cooks Folly" as the tower is called
with the estate, is now announced fol
sale.