The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-03-02
THE JACK o. LANTERN.
THE IRISH LEGEND OF HOW LIGHT
ORIGINATED.


Wishes Granted by the Angel-Eow
Satan was Fooled in Bis Three At
tempts 10 Take Jack-His Doom to
be Forever Wandering.
From the Washington Star.
The Irish have legend concerning the
jack O. lantern which runs thus: Away
back in the shaiowy times Of long ago lived
q man named Jack. Jack WHAT ''No
scald in song hath told, no sage taught, "
but it makes not one whit of difference to
my story. He lived on the hanks Of a
stream, close by ford, and was known far
aud wide as the meanest, most ohurlish ana
inhospitable old curmudgeon in the land.
A beggar " 1uld never think of asking even
for crust at his door, for we'll he knew the
surly reception in store for him.
Jack had wife, more's the pity! and the
poor soul had nothing to sweeten life's hard
cruSts. No neizhbor cared to cross her hus-
bands inhospitaole doorsill, and II they
met him on the road they turned their eyes
another way, so as uot TO see him, 50 evil
was his reputation.
Once, it was fair day, aud Jack had been
detained In the villsge until late. His heart
sank in him as he thought of the lonely
wood through which he would have TO pass
to reach the ford. The night was dark.
and dread tales OF murder and evil spirits
came to his mind. But his fear was not as
strong as his greed, and be decided 10 press
on rather than spend his silver for q nights
lodging for well he knew, no one, for
friendships sake, would give him a shelter
for ;he night. So he rode boldly off
Lower and lower sank his spirits, and
darker and darker grew the path as he
neared the fatal spot. Half dead with
fright, his teeth chattering and bis breath
coming in short gasps he entered the wood
Suddenly he heard groan; again and
again he heard it; the bio ID almost froze in
Jacks veins and his scanty hairs stood on
end with terror. he trisd TO push on, but
the means still rang in his eirs, and not
knowing why he stopped and began search
ing for the cause of them.
JACK WAS NO COWARD.
Jack was no coward, no matter what
other bad qualities he possessed. He was
not afraid Of anything when he was COR
nered, so be it spirit or devil he determined
to investigate. Sunmoning all his courage
he asked: "Wbo and what are you that
makes these unearthly moaas9n
Just then he saw extended at his feet, for
he had disnounted from bis horse, an old
gray-haired man. his clothes thin and
ragged, who cried: For the love of heaven
take me to some human habitalion; have
lost my way, cannot cross the ford and
am dying OF hunger and cold"
Something WITHIN Jack spoke, bis good
spirit, that had never moved him before in
all his life, induced him to wrap the poor,
shlyerin2 old man ia his own coat, place
him on his horse aud carry him to his OWL
home. Jacks wife started back in surprise
when sh' saw the burden he carried into
the house, and she was quite sure no had
gone crazy or been bewitched when he or
dered bed to be made for the feeble
stranger and the best the poor cottage af-
forded TO be set before him. Tho stranger
was warmed, cheered, comtorted and put to
bed and was soon asleep. Jack hardly knew
himself in this new role, but something had
impeIled him that he could not disobey; he
needs must do that and nothing else.
JACKS THREE WISHES.
Jack, on awakening next morning, was
dazzled by the brilliant light that shone
around the room (no one had separate
bedroom at Jacks cottagel, aud when his
eyes had become accustomed to the won
drous light he saw a beauteous vision; an
angel clothed in white, wi tn jsssnow- white
wings, gazing at him.
Mortal said the angel, 81 am one of
the spirits commissioned to watch over the
not one spark Of human kindness dwelt in
thy stone~cold heart; not grain OF com
passion; but they were mistaken. A little
grain lay hidden unused in thy heart, To
try thee took the form Of feeble old man.
j am thy stranger guest, who thou mast
housed, warmed and fed. / have shared thy
hearth; for this thy kindness my blessing
shall rest npon thy home, and will grant
thee three wishes. Weigh well what thou
asketh!"
II Should like" said Jack after some re-
Election, that whoever shall sit in nv
especial chair shall ne yer he able 10 lift the
chair from its place nor get out of it until
allow him. | would have thu hand that
touches anything in my tool box on the
wall for Jack was a cobblerl unable TO
move the box or take the hand out until
give permission. Lastly, would have who-
ever plucks a branch from the sycamore
before my door unable to let go his hold
until | say 50. Poop take my avis and
pluck my tree and | will not have it,
The angel oked at Jack with sorrowful
eyes and grieved expression as he finished
his wishes; but he granted them and de-
parted.
Foolish man to ask such paltry things
when SO much was ia his grasp! From that
moment Jack was excluded from no ven,
for he had et rnal blessedness fer the ask
The angels blessing rested on Jacks
household, everything prospered with him
and his children. but no one loved him, no
one ever cared for him.
THE FIRST DEMON.
Years after, perhaps fifteen or twenty.
he was resting in MS easy chair with his
pipe when suddenly he perceived strong,
dlssgreeaele od0r, something like brim-
stone. He looked up, much surprised, and
his eyes lighted on demon staining in the
doorway, a TALL dark being. graced with
two horns, cioven feet and q long tail =,
which he carried gracefully under his arm
so the legend rays.
Jack qunked with fright, but, put ing q
bold face on, as he usually did whea driven
to the wall, politely asked him what he
wanted
You" said the demon, "my master sent
me to conduct you # him, aad he will give
you warm welcome"
IAN right" said Jack, rising from his
chair and politely motioning to the demon
pray be seated you ulust be weary after
your long journey. Rest yourself while /
put on my Sunday clothes. for never could
l appear before bis santanic majesty in
the e old duds. ! sill be wild ye in iiffy.n
The dem n seated himself comfortably in
the chair, for it was soft and easy. Jack
immediately took new fail that stood in
the corner and whaled the poor demon
within an inch Of his life. In vain be
shrieked for mercy, howled, begged and