Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-07-23
Early Days in PoInfret.
3 TYrHINaMAN's APpARIrIoN

During the early years of the life OF our
United States as nation, the Sabbath was
observed with faithfulness not known to
day: laws were enacted compelling the at
: tendance of all at some place OF worship
The officers elected to see that the laws
were properly enforced, and that meetings
were not disturbed by unruly or rogulsh
boys,were called 'tythingmen,' and II they
performed their duties well were much
feared by the roguishly inclined young
people. In a small New England town,
many years ago, there was tythlngmah
named Harding, man quite self-posSess-
ed, small in stature, and well -adyanced IN
life. He was, owing to his years, inclined
to look on the stern and sober realities,
rather than upon the light and trivial size
of life. Feeling the Importance and res
possibility of his position, he fain would
have impressed others with the same ldea,
If there had been any virtue in naughty
manners, enforcing the laws to the very
letter, and noticing every little misdemean
or, but through a lack of tact or diploma
cy he was continually in trouble. He car
ried long staff to church. and many the
droWsy youth who was reminded by tap
from this ominous wand that he must
wake up ard listen to the sermon. Sermons
then, besides being less interesting than
now, were often very long, being rated ac-
| cording to length, rather than the living
truths or spiritual worth which they con-
tanned. Mr.. Harding had incurred the
disfavor OF all the fun-loying people OF his
parish through fines he had imposed on
certain members OF the choir, for which
they wished to get even with him. Living
/ in the town at this time was a certain old
/ deacon, very deyout man and being pos
sessed of considerable property, he was re-
garded as pretty well to do for the times,
and also was quite prominent in town az
fairs. He owned a jackass that was past
| re % of mss
age il was permitted to enjoy its ease as a
/ pension for past service. The boys, or the
young men as they might prefer to have
been called, after devising various schemes
| for evening up accounts with Mr.. Hard
ing, hit upon the idea of helping this old
jackass out of the world on Sunday, and
then taking him to the tythingman TO pay
his fine for dying on the Lords day.
Accordingly early one Sabbath morning
late in the fall, the boys helped this aged
animal to end his earthly career, after VIII
he was propped up in standing posture
that, freezing in this position he might
the better be able to stand up under the
harsh judgment of the tythingman. This
done, the question arose as to how the
good old deacon was to be informed OF this
last mad act Of the jacks. The boys, know
ing very well how much the deacon disllk
ed to have any secular subjects suddenly
thrust upon him as he was recovering from
their number, a member OF the deacon's
family, should break the news to him as
soon as he should have finished family de-
votions that morning; since he would be
least likely, at this time, to inquire closely
into the details. The prayer had but just
ended when, with that suavity bright, |
roguish boy only can command, he burst |
out with, "Fatherl fatherl the Jack is
dead "Well, wellin said the petulant I
old deacon, 81 don't want to hear about |
that now" In the evening of a subsequent |
day, as agreed, the boys met in secret sess- /
ion at the deacon's barn, where plans were
laid for their further action in behalf of I
tion having been decided upon, the dead
jackass was conveyed TO Mr.. Harding's
where be was reared up on his hind feet,
with his fore-feet pressing against the
front door. Between his teeth they plac-
ed quarter OF dollar and a writing stat
ing that he had come to pay his fine for
dying on the Lords Day. Now, Mr..
Harding had habit of awaking early in
the morning, and observing the indica-
tons of the weather, after which he would
retire again until suitable time To arise for
the day. This morning in his usual dress
for observation which was rather scanty
for the season of the year IL being a sharp,
frosty winter morning he had arisen and
gone to the front door. When he raised
The latch, what was this form that pushed
SO hard against the door, and as Il swung
open entered with bounce that carried il !
through the long old-fashioned
hall and broke the stiffness OF the night 9
With the clatter OF its frozen hoofs. In
hose days people believed in witches,
! hosts, and all sorts OF weird, and super
natural beings, and indeed, any one under
he circumstances might be pardoned for
he had received a call from his
satanic majesty. Mr.. Harding was no ex- =
- r.. L. a. !
ief in an evil spirit, and his superstitious
nclinations helped to give form to his
thoughts, as he beat his hasty retreat as
ar as the kitchen, where with heroic for
itude he faced the supposed danger, and
alling on his knees sent up an earnest,
ervent supplication, for aid and strength
n this time Of trial. He dared not turn a.
ound or even retreat farther lest this un-
amy and strange visitor should pounce
Ipon him and bear him away bodily 10 re
ions below.
Thus shivering with fright and the cold
nd he await with fearful anxiety the com
ng of dawfSwhich would dispel the Illus
On or solve the mystery. Never did time
ang more heavily, or the minutes drag
long with such snail-like pace, as while
lr. Harding was keeping his prayerful
nd soul-trying vigil. Since the mind
forks with such lightning-like rapidity,
then all the faculties are awakened and
fouEni INTO action, al men Mutn paced
\ situations of great peril see their lives
rom beginning to end run before their
ision as a swift fieeting panorama; so
ir. Harding's life ran through his mind
nd as he summed the good and bad deeds
I his lie, most sincerely and truly did lie
ope that the Great Recorder had not
harged him with every action, and that
ley might not be too closely scrutinized.
All agonies must OF course have an end,
nd his came with the morning light.
ow great the changed In place of the
ire monster his superstitious fancy had
ictured stood the dead jackass silently
waiting his sentence and, as light dis
cling darkness makes the timid bold so
II. Harding, gradually recovering from
he great strain he had endured, arose and
sgan an investigation. He saw the quar-
T OF a dollar, togethe with the note, be-
Feen the teeth OF the dead animal. and
it'll the help OF his wife who had suffered
sarly as much as her husband for the
ST half hour, he was enabled to see that
! was the victim of practical joke, and
lat most likely the perpetrators We're in