Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-07-17

thing Of the kind, but then tool; it 70,
some old wives fable
"Old wives fable or not. said Pccchy
Trauw, THAT farm house stands b. the
very spot. It's been unoccupicd time
out Of mind, and stands in Wild lonely
part of the coast; but those who fish in
the neighborhood have often heard
strange noises there; and lights have
been seen a out the wood at night; and
an old fellow in u red cap has been
seen at the windows more than once,
which people take to be the ghost of the
body that was buried there. Once upon
a time three soldiers took refuge in the
building for the night, and rumnagpd it
from top to bottom, when they found
old father red cap astride of cider bar
rel III the cellar, with jug in one hand
and goblet in the other. lie offered
them drink out Of his goblet, but just
as one of the soldiers was putting it to
his mouth-Whew! flash Of fire blazed
the cellar, blinded every mothers son Of
them for several minutes, and when they
recovered their eyesight, jug, goblet
and red cap had vanished, and nothing
but the empty cider barrel remained"
Here, the Lalf pay officer, who was
growing very muzzy and sleepy, and
nodding over his liquor, with half-ex-
hngui7hcd eye, suddenly cleaned up
like an expiring rushlight.
"That oil humbugi" said he, as
Pccchy finished his last story.
"Wcll, ! don't vouch for tho truth Of
it myself said Peechy Prauw, Though
all The world knows that there's some
thing strange about the house and
grounds; but as to the story Of Mud
Sam, believe it just as well as if it had
happened to myself"
The deep interest taken in this con-
versation by the company had made
them unconscious Of the uproar that pre-
vailed abroad among tho elements, when
suddenly they were oil electrified by a
tremendous clap of thunder. A lumber
ing crash followed instantaneouslv that
made the building shake to its founda-
ton. All started from their seats, mag
ming it the shock Of an earthquake, or
,hat old father red cap was coming
among them in all his terrors. They
listened for a moment, but only heard
the rain pelting against the windows,
and the wind bowling among the trees.
The explosion was soon explained by the
apparition Of an old negro's bald head
thrust in at tho door, his white google
eyes contrasting with his jctty poll,
which was wet with rain and shone like
bottle. In q .argon but half intelligi-
bic lie announced that the kitchen CHM,
ncy had been struck with lightning.
\ sullen pause of the storm, which
now rose and sunk in gusts, pro-
duccd a momcntary stiffness. In this
interval tho report Of q musket was
heard. and n long shout, almost like a
yell, rcsounded from the shore. Every
one crowded to tho window; another
muskct shot was heard, and another
long shout that mingled wildly with 4
rising blast of wind. 1t seemed as if tho
cry came up from the bosom Of the
waters; for though incessant flashes Of
lightning spread a light about the shore,
no one was to be seen.
Suddenly the window OF the room
overhead was opened, and a loud halloo
uttered by tho mysterious stranger.
So raj hailinGs passed from one party
10 the other, hut in a language which
none Of the company in the barroom
could understand; and presently they
heard th' window closed, and great
noise overhead as if the furniture were
pGl,ad and hauled about the room. Tho
negro servant was summoned, and
shortly after was seen assisting the vet
cran to lug the ponderous sea chest
down stairs.
The landlord was in amazemont
"What, you are not going on the water
in such storm"
storm" said the other scornfullv,
"do you call such sputter OF weather a
Storm
You'll get drcnched to the skin
you'll catch your doath' said Pecchy
rrauw, utTcctionately.
Thunder and lightning" exclaimed
Zimmerman, "don'trrcach about weather
to man that has cruised in whirwinds
and tOrnadoes.'
Tho obsequious Pcechy was again
struck dumb. The voice from the water
WAS again heard in a tone of impatieuco;
tho bystanler5 stared with redoublel
awe at this man Of storms. which seemed
to have come up out Of the deep and to
be called back to it again. As, with tho
assistance Of tho negro, he slowly bore
his ponderous sea chest towards the
shore, they eyed it with 4 supersttious
feeling; half doubling whether he were
not really about to embark upon it, and
launch forth upon the wild waves. They
followed him at a distance with a
lanthorn.
"Douse the light" roared the hoarso
voice from tho water. NO one wants
light here"
Thunder and lightning" exclaimed
the veteran; back to the house with
you"
Wolfert and his companions shrunk
back in dismay Still their curiosity
would not allow them entirely to with
draw. y long sheet of lightning now
hickered across the waves, and dis
covered a boat, filled with men, just
under rocky POINT, rising and sink
ing with the heavy surges, AMI