Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1892-06-03
JACK-O'-L LANTERN.

The Irish have legend concerning the
Jack-o-lantern, which runs thus: Away
back in the shadowy times of long ago
lived a man, Jack by name. Jack what?
mo scald in song hath told no saga
taught" but it makes not one whit of diff
] ference to my story.
He lived by the banks of a stream, close
by ford, and was known far and wide as
the meanest, most churlish and inhospita-
BILE old curmudgeon in the land. A beggar
would never think of asking even for
crust at his door, for well he knew the
surly reception in store for him.
Jack had a wife, more's the pity, and
the poor soul had nothing to sweeten ife's
hard crusts. No neighbor cared to cross
her husbands inhospitable doorsill and if
they met him on the road they turned their
| eyes another way, so as not to see him, SO
evil was his reputation.
Once, it was a fair day, and Jack had
been detained in the village 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 he decided to press on rather
than spend his silver for nights lodging,
for well he knew no one for friendships
sake would give him a shelter for the
| 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 his breath
coming in short gasps, he entered the wood.
Suddenly he heard groan; again and
again he heard it; the blood almost froze
in Jacks veins and his scanty hairs stood
on end with horror He tried to push on,
but the means still rang in his ears, and
not knowing why he stopped and began
searching for the cause of them.
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 deter
mined to investigate. Summoning all his
courage he asked, "Who and what are you
that makes these unearthly moans?"
Just then he saw extended at his feet
0or he had dismounted from his horse) an
old gray haired man, his clothes thin and
ragged, who cried: "For the love of
| heaven take me to some human habitation;
I have lost my way. l cannot cross the
| ford and am dying of hunger and cold"
l
| spirit, that had never moved him before in
all his life, induced him to wrap the poor,
shivering old man in his own heavy coat,
place him on his horse and carry him to
| his own home Jacks wife started back
| in surprise when she saw the burden he
| carried into the house, and she was quite
sure he had gone crazy or been bewitched
| when he ordered bed to be made for the
| feeble stranger and the best the poor cot
tage afforded to be set before him.
The stranger was warmed, cheered, COM
| forted and put to bed and was soon asleep.
Jack hardly knew himself in this new role,
but something had impelled him that he
could not disobey; he needs must do that
and nothing else.
Jack, on awakening next morning, was
dazzled by the brilliant light that shone
around the room (no one had separate
bedroom at Jacks cottage), and when his
1 eyes had been accustomed to the wondrous
sight he saw beauteous vision-an angel,
clothed in white, with snow white wings.
gazing at him.
MORTAL" said the angel, II am one of
the spirits commissioned to watch over the
sons of Adam, heard thy neighbors say
not one spark of human kindness dwelt in
thy stone cold heart; not grain of COM
|
grain lay hidden unused in thy heart.
t'To try thee took the form of feeble
old man. am thy stranger guest, whom
thou hast housed. warmed and fed.
have shared thy hearth; for this thy kind
nsss my blessing shall rest upon thy home,
and will grant thee three wishes. Weigh
! well what thou asketh"
81 should like" said Jack, after some
reflection, "that whoever shall sit ip my
especial chair shall never be able to lift
the chair from its place, nor get out of it
until allow him. I would have the hand
that touches anything in my tool box on
the wall Qfor Jack was cobbler) unable
| to move the box or take the hand out until
| give permission,
'sLastly, would have whoever plucks
branch from the sycamore before my door
unable to let go his hold until say so.
People take my avis and pluck my tree,
and will not have it."
The angel looked at Jack with sorrow
full eyes and grieved expression as he fin
ished his wishes, but he granted them and
departed.
Foolish man to ask such paltry things
when so much was within his graspl
From that moment Jack was excluded
from heaven, for he had eternal blessedness
| Tor CQe asking, Uub StShcu IL LOU.
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.
Years after, perhaps fifteen or twenty,
be was resting in his easy chair with his
pipe, when suddenly he perceived a strong,
diisagreeable odor, something like brim-
stone. He looked up, much surprised, and
his eyes lighted on a demon standing in
the doorway, tall, dark being, graced
with two horns, cloven feet and long tail,
which he carried gracefully under his arm
!, SO the legend says.
Jack quaked with fright, but, putting
bold face o t;p as he usually did wshsp driven
to the wall. politely asked him what he
, wanted.
"You," said the demon, TINY master sent
me to conduct you to him, and he will give
| you a warm welcome"
"An right" said Jack, rising from his
chair and politely motioning to the demon,
apray be seated; yen must be weary after
your long journey. Rest yourself while
put on my Sunday clothes, for never could
appear before his satanic majesty In these
old buds. will be wild ye in a jiffy."
The demon seated himself comfortably
in the chair, for it was soft and easy. Jack
immediately took new fail that stood in
the corper and Whaled the poar demon
within an inch Of his life. II vain be
shrieked for mercy, howled, begged and
prayed. He could not move the chair, nor
get up from it,
Unfortunate demon that he was Jack
laid j. on with right good will. "Ye cam
TO take ms Wid ye TO gouf. bet net b hole, did
| yeze I'll tache ye to come after a daeent
, gintlemanr lJack's brogne was very
broad when he was excited.)
, Jack never stopped until the fail lay in
sblinters and his arms ached with the ex-
ertio4. Thea, making the demon promise
never to come fer him again, be let him &c.
And gladly he vent limpipg off, yoWing
vengeance on Jacks head:
Again satan, very wfpth at the failure
and treatment Of his messenger, semi a
second to summon Jack before his tribu-
! Incl, with ~ imperative order to come
forthwith or it wopld be worse for him.
He babe the demon go without delay,
; larry for nothing, and not sit down in
Jacks house or be beguiled by Jacks
Establishments Again Jack met his de-
monship politely and asked him to be
rTyu