Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-11-18
A Big Worm Story,
From the PAiladelDhta Press

From the PhiIddetBhiG Press.
Lord Durham, head of the great English
house OF Lam btOn. is one Of the recent Ameri-
can visitors. He was for awhile in the suite
of Violet Cameron In company with his
brother Earl, he of LOnsda,c. and a year or
so ago the English law courts were ringing
with his action for divorce aEairst his 5eauti-
full Countess on the plea of the 'ady's insanity.
All this, however. from a news parlance is
stale, but how many people have heard that
the Lambtons possess family legend of
thrilling intensity, which is one of the proud
est boasts of the county of Durham. and is
tod by the old men and women and local his
torians of the place under the title of 1.-THE
Worm of Lambton Hail."
The Iambtons are very ancient family,
dating in distinction long prior to their family
legend, which is traced only as far back as
the twelfth century. 1t seems that the heir
OF I.ambton some time about 1850 or so was
very fond OF fishing, and it was his profane
custom to angle in the river Wear the greater
portion of the Sabbath. One Sunday he
hooked small worm which he in disgust
threw into a well. This worm began to grow
and after q week or two became so large that
it came forth from the well and crawled to
the river, where 1t attained the size
of monster and generally passed the
day cOiled round crag in the
middle of the stream. When tired of the
water it crept to green mound near its for
mer habitatlon, the well, called Worm Hill
to this day. The worm usually Tapped itself
nine times round the hill, leaving vermicular
traces of which grave living witnesses depose
that they have seen yestlges. The creature
soon became the terror of the country, and
amongst other enormities levied a daily con-
tribution of the milk Of nine cows, which WIS
ALWAYS placed for it at the foot of the hill. Ii
the milk at any time failed to be there, the
Shiny monster painted the adjacent hamlet
red with the blood OF man and beast.
The terrible effect OF his carelessness
wrought complete change in young Lamb
ton. He gave up fishing on Sunday, bathed
himself in holy water. had a red cross sewn
on his shoulder and started for the Crusades.
n bn INN a afa
free the country OF the monster worm and
had several fierce combats with the creature.
Dambton succeeded in chopping his enemy on
several occasions into various lengths. but the
pieces always joined together again as fast as
they wers separated Finally II wise woman
was consulted and by her advice, subject to Il
condition, he succeeded in his task. He put
on a at-ofmail, studded with razor blades
ana thus a'tired placed himself on the
crag in the river AMI awaited his wormship.
The worm arrived and wound itself with
great fury round the Knight. who had the
pleasure OF seeing his enemy cut TO pieces by
its own efforts, whilst the stream, washing
away the severed parts, prevented the posi-
billty OF reunion. The condition OF the
witch's advice, however, had to be fulfilled.
lie had promised her TO slay the first living
thing which met his sight after the victory.
LAmbton accordingly directed His father
that "a soon as he heard the
blast OF horn he was 10 release n favor
lite greyhound. which would immediately
fly to his young master and become the nee
eseafy haCTlHce. nc Ola cDlei, however, on
hearing ms sons bugle blast, was 80 over
joycd ~ tho conviction of his safety that he
forgot all about the greyhound ana ran him
self 10 meet his son. The latter did not com
nit pRrricidc, but ran 10 the witch and sued
for mercy, who pronounced ~ an alternative
the 10y no means unpleasant doom to martial
mind, namely, that no chief OF the house OF
Lambton should die In his bed for seven gem
crattOns.
The sentence Of tho witch, according 10
family tradition, has been fulfilled. CHER af-
ter chief OF the house OF LambtOn fell m bat
Gle or died suddenly while travelling or met
with violent deaths through accident or de-
sign. By this time, however, the curse has
died away and the last three Lords 81 Dur
ham-'the carbon only dates from ls33-'lled
between sheets. Worm Well and Worm liill
are pointed out 20 al travellers IN the county
n Durham. and the well SOW enjoys great
fepute asA Wishing well
n takes very good old family 10 possess
such family legend A. LamhtOn's,