The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-10-17

| ict thciu iiito the HouSc, or she WOULD
throw the money out of the door. OF
course she lived alone witches always
do, you know, except for CATS
"And squirrels" amended Winifred.
And person going To see her one
cold day found her starved, frozen and
dying. The neighbors came to care for
her, and she died that night, but in the
midst of Il terrible racket. Loud voices
and footsteps Were heard, shouts i'm the
woods near by and echoes of horses gal
Looping, and in the houses dishes ratified
bells rang, the tongs and poker con-
versed, and whispers, mysterious rat
things, and rustlings continued till poor
old Syrena was laid in her grave, where
she has peacefully Rested ever since, /
hope"
"And doesn't her ghost appear, beg
leave to inquirer
'Never did, believe. That was re-
served for Dancing Damaris."
"Oh delightful. Now tell me all
about Dancing Damaris."
81 think Dancing Damaris first APP
peared on the scene more than 100 years
ago. She was an active little mulatto
girl and where the Madame Schuyler
of that day got her Pm sure don't
know, but she must have frequently
regretted the''acquisition. She danced,
danced everywhere, on her way to
church-and no such solemn dances as
David danced before the ark, either
bringing in the dinner, on the lawn i'm
front of the drawing room windows
when illustrious guests were assembled
on her way To the well-for Dancing
Damaris's principal duty was fetching
in the water.
''As a faithful biographer / am COM
PEELED to admit that she fulfilled this
duty wretchedly of course, you might
know so many jigs and hornpipes fire.
quently interfered with an overiiowing
water bucket, and in trying moment
my respected ancestor, Madam Schuyl-
er, observed that it would give her great
satisfaction if Damaris should happen
To get drowned in the well. This acci-
! dent really occurred, the active little
mulattO being discovered dead in the
water within twenty-four hours after
| Madam Schuyler had thus relieved her
mind. 1t wasn't good-by to DamaTis,
| however. Soon the servants began To
make complaints among themselves,
and it coming to the ears of the mis-
trcss, she summoned them TO her in a
body, and by strict questioning heard
/ some strange stories. Damaris still
danced about the well o. nights and
the living feared to go for water. Some
had seen her dancing along the ridge
pole of the house others had not seen
her, but had heard her familiar double
shuttle rapping over the oaken floor,
and her loud, rapid giggle night after
night.
"'Those who saw her said she was Il
most unpleasant person 10 meet sud-
denly on a dark night, especially if
ones conscience wasn't quite easy.
Her garments dripped, her eyes goggled
and rolled, her complexion was any
ashy purple, and her incessant dancing
was accompanied by threatening and
reckoning gestures. Nine. Schuyler
said she didn't Oelieve word of il, but
nevertheless she took to burning night
lights and had a servant sleep in her
room. One day she took water pitch
er and went to the well herselfand was
not seen To return, and when search
was made the old lady was found at the
bottom of the well. When the dead
woman was drawn from the water, it
| being then after dark, Damaris's male
VIOLENT chuckle and giggle were heard
| by the workers, and, of course, il was
said that she had pushed her mistress
into the well. For many years it was
rumOred that the mulatto's light fam
tastic toe haunted the well, and little
later Schuyler dug new well and fill
ed up the old one TO destroy the super
stition Of Dancing Damaris."
"That was most unkind, I'm sure,
when we meet with 30 few really relia-
BILE haunted places" breathed Wini-
fred regretfully.
"And here is the house." said Chris
topher, drawing rein suddenly.
s.. q
yore. 1t was large, il was lofty, many
windowed, and with ample wings ex-
tending to the sides and rear. The
front entrance was still imposing, for
the great door swinging open to admit
its many occupants, showed deep hall
with oaken beams and a wide and
winding staircase with hollow steps,
which, once trod by bellies and beaux
in the olden time now re-echoed To the
heavy tread of the weary mill hand or
his Woodworking wife. At this time
of day the place swarmed with chill
dren, some of whom bloomed with a
beauty not exceeded by any Schuyler
of them all.
"Will you get out and go through the
house? ." asked Christopher.
"No-no, think mott" family an
swered Winifred. at would destroy
my ideal. can now imagine anything
like about it. Drive on, do. Oh,
what a em-r' and she buried her face
in her handkerchief From within the
handkerchief came a remonstrative
voice. aren't you going to tell NE
any more stories about it?'
'.There are no more, my dear"
"Why, know better" said Wini-
fred Indignantly. WASN'T there ever
a hidden treasure, concealed diamonds,
boxes of gold, gems rich and rare, So
creted for some lucky heir to discov-
err"
"By Georger' said Christopher sud
denly, II wish | could find Uncle
Johns money ~
"There didn't say there were other
legends that you'd remember if you
tried?'
"But this" explained her husband,
sis distinctly modern. 1t only dates
back forty or fifty years"
"Well?" was Winifred's only reply,
i'm her most eager, coaxing manner,