Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1892-05-27
JACK-O'-L


Ing the Jack o lantern. which runs
thus: Away back in the shadowy
times OF long ago lived man. Jack
oy name. Jack what? mo scald in
song hath told no saga taught" but
1t makes not one whit OF difference 10
my story.
lie lived by the banks of stream.
close by ford and was known far
and wide as the meanest most churl-
ish and inhospitable old curmudgeon
In the land. A beggar would never
think of asking even for a crust at his
door for well he knew the surly re-
ception in store for him.
Once. it was 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.
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 al
most froZe in Jacks veins and his
scanty hairs stood on end with hor-
ror 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.
just then he saw extended at his
feet (for he had dismounted from his
horse) on old gray haired man. his
clothes thin and ragged. who cried:
''tor the love of heaven take me to
some human habitation; l have lost
my way. cannot cross the ford, and
l am dying of hunge. and cold"
Something within Jack spoke; his
good 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
cutie sure he had gone era " or been
bewitched when he ordered bed to
be made for the feeble stranger and
the best the poor cottage afforded to
be set before him.
Jack, on awakening next morning
was dazzled by the brilliant light that
shone around the room (no one had a
separate bedroom at Jacks cottage).
and when his eyes had been accus-
toned 10 the wondrous sight he saw a
beauteous vsion-an angel clothed
In white. with snow-white wings gaz.
ing at him.
Mortal" said the angel. Il am
one of the spirits commissioned to
watch over the sons of Adam. heard
one OF thy neighbors say not one
spark OF human kindness dwelt In thy
stone cold heart; not a grain of COM
passion. bat they were mistaken A
little grain lay hidden unused in thy
heart
10 try thee took the form OF a
feeble old man. / am thy stranger
guest whom thou hast housed,
warmed and fed. have shared thy
hearth; for this thy kindness my
blessing shall rest upon thy home
and will grant thee three wishes.
Weigh well what thou asketh!''
Il should like" said Jack after
some reflection. that whoever shall
sit in my especial chair shall never be
able to lift the chair from its place.
nor get out OF it until allow him.
would have the hand that touches
anything in my tool box on the wall
for Jack was a cobbler) unable to
move the box or take the hand out
until give permission.
Lastly. l would have whoever
lucks a branch from tho sycamore
before my door unable to let go his
hold until say so. People take my
avis and pluck my tree. and i will
not have it."
The angel looked at Jack with
sorrowful eyes and grieved expires.
sion as he finished his wishes. but he
granted them and departed.
Foolish man to ask such paltry
things when SO much was within hi.
grasp! From that moment Jack was
excluded from heaven. for he ha(
eternal blessedness for the asking. bu
asked it not.
Years AFTER perhaps fifteen o.
twenty, he was resting in his easy
chair with his pipe when suddenly h
perceived strong disagreeabe odor
something like birthstone. He looked
up much surprised. and his eye
lighted on demon standing in TIT
doorway. a tall, dark being. grace'
with two horns cloveu feet and lon!
tail which he carried gracefully un
der his arm-so the legend says
Jack quaked with fright but. put
ting on bold face. as he usually dit
iwhen driven to the wall politely
asked him what he wanted.
''You, "said the demon. my mas
ter sent me to conduct you to him
and he will give you warm vel
come" .keu- s- if.ai.ausr
'.All right" said Jack. rising from
his chair and politely, motioning Il
the demon. pray be seated you mus
he weary from your long journey.