Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1889-06-04
The Quaigh.
4 Legend Of Antler Han.
BY THE CLERK OF NoRBoRNI:.


The incident on which the 'sQuaigh'i
founded bears SO strong a resemblance to til,
weird legend, that my mind could not fail
be impressed with somewhat the same train
thought.-Tte Alrttor.J
The oak leaves rustled on the trees
Homeless sighed the autumn breeze,
As if itself of grief to ease;
Tho little seemed the good display
OF duntsnen, on that evening gray
To care what trees or winds might say
The chase was o'er-and to Autler Hall
They now returned, and one and all
Eagerly on the Butler called.
When each on hunger had wreaked his wors
Der savory viands had quenched his thirst
Their prowess' round the blaze rehearsed,
And as Hing'd moments onward flew
Wit and mirth more boisterous grew;
Each bumper lent enchantment new.
Forgotten were the pains and scars,
With which time, oft, our pleasure mars,
And wraps in gloom, as clouds the stars.
Seth Swan. gallant of true mould,
Many u roistering tale he told
That night, of venture stern and bold
OF battles lost. of battles won
OF woman's love meath southern sun,
A joYial night. or - desperate rum
But Swans, like all romances tend
And though anon. he sought to mend,
They came at last to final end.
With wild applause shook roof and hall.
And then the butler forth they call.
Old Allen, trusty, tried and true,
Many wond'rous tale he know
Often told, they marvellous grew:
For scenes recalled by menials old
WIN grow full soon beyond control
As fancy's visions, new unfold.
NOW, Allen Page was old and gray,
And apparitionS did he say
In NOrbOrne Church held nightly sway
:. And if they would but please believe,
Cor he'd no object to deceive)
- | think it was one HalIow eve
When crossing late the stream and dell,
Near that same ruin, known so well,
saw the lady Isabelle.
She who died long time ago,
Intthis same hall, so full of VOC
For lover slain by rival foe.
am no braggart, nerve to lose
Yet I'll coufesS. and meier ruse,
That night l tremblcd in my shoes"
Old Aliens tale, of wonders framed.
From courteous guest attention claimed
though much the folly Seth Scan blamed;
And quatling of goblet light,
Swore never yet had ghost or sprito
= Cost him fear, by day or night"
:. And by st. Michael he could ride
To Norborne Church and there abide
AlOhe from lands (d) till even-tide."
When Seth had made this Wanting boast
His old friend John and genial host
said .'Ile- should rue 10 10 i1fszcOsS,
For he would lay wager rare
At midnight hour Seth would not dare
To seek that quaigh o. in NOrborne fair"
He pointed to an ancient cup
And Seth the relic taking mp.
Confirmed tue bet with hearty sup.
The Quaigh, a family relic rare,
Seemed q strange device to bear
Its motto was Beware, BcWarei"
Al aoi5 kt,.;. Lo,A R,to.,l
The wager and his TESTING too;
For Seth would go. full well they know.
The tune Affixed was Hallow-evc;
The Hall the place they would receive
Inc cup, he should that night retrieve.
All save old Allen joined the Joke
But he was silent, grave as smoke,
And never once approval spoke
But passing round the night-cap Cc) red,
Composer of the restless bed
For-boding shook his hOary head.
None noticed Aliens portent look,
AS parting for the night they took
The cup that some but ill could brook
Now whether twas from drink or fright
| cannot ray, but all that night
Swan saw in dreams an evil sprite
Time rolled round-Hallow-cve at last
Came on 10 mingle with the past;
\ mournful vail sighed on the blast
The mnrky clouds their torrents spent,
ihe meteor's flash the darkness rent,
and Friar Rush, % on mischief went.
1t was the night (e) when COLLINS gray
and wizards witch { } with elf and fay,
And demons, held their revels CAV.
Seth that night with all his cronfes
On high horse, for none ponies,
attended ball at Captain Johnnie's.
Old Lube played his favorite Law
And III the dance Seth led the way.
Some may to wealth be born or fatcd
Some may to love be hap'ly mated
Het-o'er them all was Seth elated.
But pleasures are like visions bright,
That sometimes haunt our dreams bv night
We wake-they vanish from our sight!
Or like j bubble on the river,
\ breath may burst, ripple shiyer.
A moment seen, then gone forever,
But who can DER their fate preside,
Or stay the flow of time or tide?
lis midnight hour-and Seth must ride.
His good mare Nell. stout and able.
With flashing eye and coat of sable
Forth was ordered from the stable;
And at the door impatient stood,
Champiug the bit in fiery mood,
As if she DER some evil brew'd.
Seth quit at last the joyous throng
Where wit and miTth, and Jest and song
The ''wee sma" hours of night prolong.
But ere he could his saddle gain
His genial host and doughty train
stirrup-cup with him would drain;
And as he mounted one aud all
Pledged him thus what e'er befall,
4 meeting soon ut Antler Hall"
Their parting shout the storms wild din,
| From tnrrets echoed strangely in
| The blast. that bore it back again.
! The party. all now much elated.
Rode to the Hail. and there awaited
| Swan. that night to COLLINS fated.
The storm-swept night in blackuess lowcr'd;
| Gloom all light so oyer-powcrd
| The very beasts in thicket cnweT'd.
| But to proceed-on good mare Nell,
| Seth logged on l weau right well.
I Save through his brain thoughts fcw--pell mel
| Though whistling loud in careless guise,
| He peered around with prudent eyes
Lest something take him by surprise.
| For there is in solemn midnight hour
A feeling strange that oft will lowr,
! And stir the soul with mystic power;
Thus DER Seth Swan feeling stole
/ of awe. to save his very soul.
He could not Danish or control.
Now crossing Evitt's bawling stream,
Along whose hanks the owlets scream.
| Seth felt as in a fever'd dream
More dreary still. the road appear'd
| When Haugmsn's haunted hill he near'd
GIhe spot by lated peasants fear'd.)
/ But when in view old NorbOrne burst.
Each object dim eeemed demon curst,
Ready on him to do their worGt.
Der the old ruins iyied wall.
/ Its gothic front. and gables tall.
me gloom of night had thrown its pail;
ana 10 the bell began to toll
us iHs II Tor some departed soul
"ho d run his race, and reached his goal.
sem zen gained at length the crumbling stile.
DisI ao,ss nlng Nell with care the while