Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1892-03-13
JACK O. LANTERN.

The Irish have legend concerning the
jack o. Lantern which runs thus: Away
back in the shadowy times of long ago
lived 4 man, Jack by name. Jack whatl
mo scald in song hath told no saga taught"
but it makes not one whit Of difference to
my story
He lived by the banks of stream. close
by ford, and was known far and wide as
the meaneSt, most churlish and inhospita-
bic old curmudgeon in the land. A beggar
would never think of asking even for q
crust at his door, for well he knew the surly
reception in store for him.
Jack bad wife, more's the pity; and the
poor soul had nothing to sweetea LIES
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 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 be 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 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 a 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 search
ing 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 de-
termined to investigate. Summoning all
his courage, he asked:
''Who and what are you that makes these
unearthly moans2r
Just then he saw extended at his feet (for
he had dismounted from his horse) an old
gray-haired man, his clothes thin and
ragged, who cried:
'.F'or the love of heaven take me to some
human habitation; [ have lost my way, 1
cannot cross the ford, and am dying of hmm
ger 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,
SulNGl4uE O4O AL41-A IL LIS Wv III A4Ch IVY NOdt1
place him on his horse and carry him to his
own home. Jacks wife started back in
surprise when she saw the burden he car
ried in 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 cottage
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
dazzied by tbs brilliant light that shone
around the room mo one had separate
bedroom at Jacks cottage), and when his
eyes had become accustomed to the Won
drous light, he saw a beauteouS vision; an
angel, clothed in white with snoW-white
wings, gazing at him.
Mortal, said the angel, 81 am one Of
the spirits commissioned to watch over the
sons of Adam. 1 heard thy neighbors say
not one spark of human kindness dwelt in
thy stone-cold heart; not a grain of com
passion: but they were mistaken. A little
grain lay hidden unused in thy heart
ITO try thee I took the form Of feeble
old man l am thy stranger guest, whom
thou has housed. warmed and fed. I have
shared thy hearth; for this thy kindness
DlGSSlIA Shall rest upon lily BOluS anu
grant thee three wishes. Weigh well what
thou asketh."
q 81 should like said Jack after some re-
Election, that whoever shall sit in my es-
pecial chair shall never be able to lift the
chair from its place nor get out of il until I
zaslow him. 1 would have the hand that
tbuches anything in my tool box on the wall
.<for Jack was 4 eobbIer) unable 70 move
The box or take the hand out until give
permission.
Lastly, 7 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 ny tree,
and I will not have il.
The angel looked at Jack with sorrowful
eyes and grieTed expression as he finished
his wishes; but he granted them and de-
parted
Foolish man to ask such paltry things
wien 80 much was within his graspl From
that moment Jack was excluded from
heaven, for he had eternal blesSedness for
the asking, but asked 1t not
The angels blessing rested on Jacks
household, everything prospered with him
and his children, but no enc loved him; no
enc ever cared for him
Years after, perhaps fifteen or twenty,
~ was resting IL his essy chair with his
pipe, when suddepl5 re perceived strong,