Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1889-06-04


The Squire that day the cup had placed.
That spot to Seth. from boyhood known
He found at last, and raised the stone
a light most strange beneath it shone,
And By its pale aud fitful play,
Quivering like the Boreal ray.
Seth sn1tched in haste the gilded Quaigh.
Scarce had he touched its polished wood,
When looking up-by st. Michaels rood,
A female form before him stood.
With figure tall as midnight black.
When clouds sweep DER pale Cynthia's track,
Aud Yapors dark the hills attack.
Seth stood trsnsGxed-his lips apart
And eyes that from their sockets start
With fear, that chilled his very heart.
He tIicd to move-alas he found
His feet seemed rooted to the ground
Or fast by hellish letters bound
Even the wind-in mocliery through
The easements. loud and louder blew
As on the blast the storm king few
deafening peal the old bell sounded
The spell it broke-like panther bounded
Seth through the church that wild resounded.
Each bird of evil omen woke
Voices that meier the silence broke
Save to curse. in mockery spoke.
One hurried look, like frightened hind
He backward cast-alas to find
The goblin followed close behind
The awful sight new vigor brings
His failing strength: and panic filings
Into each leg electric springs
How Seth gained his restive steed
He ue'er could tell. But in good need,
That night, was all her boosted speed
Scarcely had he touched her back
hen fence, aud rails and fastenings crack
And away she broke DER bush and brack.
Her steel-bound hoofs the limestone cleft
Aud train of sparks behind them left.
That from the night the darkness reft.
As love pursues when hopes inspire,
Or hate on foe to wre0k its ire.
The goblin rode the train of fire.
Oh Seth oh Seth try now thy steed-
For meier before was in such need,
Good bottom and - two-forty speed"
Nell clear'd her distance with good will.
And Numbered down the rocky hill
But at the base stopped sudden. still.
With Seth. it nigh had been n wreck
For high and dry the sudden check
Had pitched him forward on her neck
He look d to see what stopped her flight
Ye Gods! he saw an nnco sight.
For such us he. poor sinful wight
Goblins lank With jaws decuyed,
And demons black in crime arrayed
With gibes and jeers before him played.
How it was Seth ne'er decided,
But DER this horde in black presided.
The self-same form, their orgies guided.
He tried with all his might and main
To leave the spot-but twas in win
Nell neither minded spur nor rein
Until at length her fear complete,
Aud feeling Seth his blows repeat,
She cleared at once full thirty feet.
But right before, he found too late,
(Clear it he must. or meet the Rtrait)
The old stone bridge aud six-bar'd gate.
On either side stood figure queer.
With burning eyes they seemed to STARE
As If for him they waited there.
One way there vas--and only one
For Seth the duligsf now to af5fIl--
The gauntlet gainst the host to run.
Then DER the gate he boldly sped
But just in time to save his head
Prom the swoop of the demon dread.
The demon grab'd-like wiley rat
Before the spring of watehfUl cat.
Seth dodss'd, but left behind his hat
and US he crossed the bridges swell
SO loud his shout. SO wild his yell,
Twas heard for miles, far up the dell.
Fen Nell behind cast hurried look
Then high her tail in triumph shook
For dell fend dared cross tho brook. %
Ono moment more Seth reached the Hall
But never stopping once to call
Burst i'll upon his comrades ALL
Who taken midst their revel rout,
stood listning-e'n with wine poured out,
To noise strauge-'twas Seth's wild shout
So sudden had it flied the ear
So wild and loud, and yet so near
Each one had started up in fear.
And thus they stood-their laughter hushed,
When in their midst Swan wildly rushed
With visage pale aud spirits crushed.
Full soon his presence broke the pause
His haggard look. the query draws
whence that shout. and what the causcl"
Seth turned away as if to shun
The theme. and said to Squire John
Here's the cup, the bet i've won.
The Squire then with all the rest
Fifty other questions pressed,
But against them all did Seth protest,
And said ''he'd not his venture tell
In the ruin, or in the dell
Or what to him that night befeu."
But this he'd say-''n Ger inclined
When deeds of daring fill your mind,
Never drink before the danger find,
For teA you boys. it viii misguidc,
As me tonight it did decide
ATaiust the dell himself To side
NoTEs.-a. lauds-midnight service in the
Catholic church.
b, Quaigh-a cup composed of slaves hooped
together.
G, nightcap-a glass taken before going to
bed.
d, Friar Rush--Jacl,-olantern, Milton's clown
says:
''she was pinciIed and pulled she said,
And by the FriaT's lantern led"
c. Hallow-eye-is said to be the night when
witches. ghosts, devils and other mischief
making beings . abroad i'm
], Wizards witch--Wizzard Clip, is small
town in Jefferson county. w. Va near the
scene of this story. Tradition says the witches
were so troublesome. at one time. in - Clip
that no stranger could venture within the pre-
cincts without getting their clothes clipped TO
pieces. The witch or witches we're Finally
tdid' through the instTumentaiity of a Catholic
priest CHRONICLES Of Virginia.
g, 'Tis an old Scotch superstition that
witches nor any other evil spirit can follow
person any farther than the middle of the
first flowing stream.
h, Norborne church is u fine old ruin. situa-
ted two miles west of CharlestoWD, Jefferson
county. w. Va. It was built during colonial
was established by the church of England.