The Forrest City times., 1891-06-26
ACLOUDO'ER THE EARTH.
AN UNEXPLAINED PHENOME-
 NON OF LONG AGO.
Tt Has Always Been Known as .sThe Dark Day." and Though Many Have Tried to Explain it, Nobody
 Has Succeeded In It.

actual experience the story of the won- derful Dark Day that fell on the 18th Of May, 17S0. She was a girl of IS at the time aud lived on farm near Bos- ton. For several days before the 18th the air had been full of vapors, as if the woods were burning somewhere in the neighborhood. but this did not ex- cite much comment. Children went to school as usual. but on the 18th the darkness came on so suddenly that they cou not see the lessons in the books and all looked frightened. The teacher would go to the door and stand there long time looking at the strange state of things. My great grandmother used to smile when she told how eagerly the scholars watched him, and how the childish faces blanched when he would return to his desk with a puzzled countenance.
 They could see that he was greatly perplexed if not deeply troubled He was learned man for the times. and had told his scholars much about the earth they inhabited, but it was clear to them all that the singular darkness mystified him. By and by the chick ems began to seek their roosts. and all at once a little girl, who had been frightened from the first, burst out | crying Then the master dismissed l the school.
 lou may imagine how frightened everybody was Neighbors came to- gether and discussed the situation, but not one was competent to offer an ex- planation. Some thought it meant disaster to the Americans, for you know the war of the revolution was going on at the time, and of late King Georges men had gained some victor ies. Then. it was the year famous for Benedict Arnold's treason, and when that deed had been done those that re- membered the dark day were not slow to say that it portended the traitors work.
 My great-grandmother often said that it looked more like night than anything else, for no one went out without a lantern and the lights could be seen fitting hither and thither as we see them on the streets of dark night The vapor that had arisen was so unwholesome that birds affected by it fell dead to the ground, or, flying blindly through the air, would bring up in the houses.
 As the darkness increased the peo- pie flocked to the churches and relig- ious services were held. Those that had been enemies made up and asked each others forgiveness. Long sepa- rated people came together, and some men paid debts that they had owed for years. The theme of the preachers that stood in the pulpit that day and discoursed to the pale congregations was the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, and some told how for her sins God had almost destroyed Nineveh. The churches were filled almost to over flowing, and all came away silent and cast down.
 When the real night approached people looked for relief The moon would rise at nine and they hoped that her light would penetrate the gloom and dispel the sadness that prevailed Little children were coaxed to sit up and wait for the moon. but most of them crept away to bed and fell asleep trembling like frightened sparrows.
 You may imagine how impatiently everybody awaited the coming of an- other day. They were fearful that the morning would bring no clear sum- light though all hoped it would, and so between hope and fear the people watched and waited throughout the darkened country Some little ones tried to sit out the night with their elders, but their eyes succumbed to sleep, and frightened mothers carried them to bed long before the night wened.
 My great-grandmother said that she was awakened by some one's jerking hor out of the bed and running to the window with her. It was her mother. and she was shouting that the dark ness had vanished and new day como Sure enough. this was exactly what had happened. Everywhere the birds were singing their songs of joy and the brilliant sunlight was over all Tho cattle were returning to their pas tures and nature never looked so beau uful as then, after that night of fear and horror.
 The children of the time could hsrd- ly believe the evidence of their own eyes. They would run into the sun- light and cry and leap for joy. The Dark Day was recollection of the past. but what recollection it was' Scientific men of the times failed to account for it A very learned man, named Tenny travelled to find out all he could about the Dark Day. He found that it bad extended as far north as the American settlements and west ward to Albany. In some places the gloom lasted fourteen hours and was very dense; in others it was not so marked.
 Such was the famous Dark Dark of our country. Among the many per- sonal recollections of my great grand mother this one was the most interest ing to me, and never grew tired of hearing it. When grew up l read accounts of the 18th of May, f7s0, and found them to tally with her graphic account of it discovered that even the great Herchel said; The Dark Day in Northern America was one of those phenomena that will always be read of with interest but which philosophy is at loss to ex- plain. :"
 We have dark days when there are aplinsas hnt hera thara ,vas uofh;pr