The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-04-15
"Nanght good can come OF dlsplens.

"Naught good can come OF dlspleas.
ing Holy Church" said the abbot.
turning away with long lip; and the
courtiers We're reminded Of his wo-ds
later on that night
so the tOwn-crier belied the kings
proclamation through the town. and
the whole Of the populace. from the
town-foOt 10 the abbey. were soon gone
dancing mad-all dancing to the we'll
being Of the king.
The scene at the marriage feast that
night was something the burghers did
not forget In a hurry. The tables
stretched from one end OF the hall
straight out into tho caller air. and
groaned beneath the generous fare pro-
vlded from the private stores Of loyal
burgesses- Knocks and cheese. hag
gis and tripe. apples and pears. fish
and flesh. and every other dainty usu.
ally provided for a royal marriage
with drink 20 match. Then when they
they had feasted 10 their hearts con.
tent. like n hailstOrm through the for
est. the dance began; and lords and
or not 10 keep II going till morning.
The fiddles went. and harpers played.
while guitars twanged Nccompa niment
10 song from thrOats Of bonnie lassies.
All took part in the entertainment.
and even bow-legged Tam the Tin
man. who could neither dance nor
play nor sing. contributed TO the din.
II not the music. by shouting at the
pitch OF his leathern lungs. "IIo Jed
darts here" the burg rallying cry.
when. To- change came DER the
scene. and dancers broke of, awe
stricken. musicians ceased their play
ing. and singing girls became dumb.
A spell hung Ger them all, but still
the patter OF pair Of brogues could
be heard carrying on the brokcn-of
dance. though no one could be seen,
while the wall Of an invisible bagpipe
playing the accompaniment was plain
ly audible. The lad with the lang bas.
soon tainted, the ettle-drummers and
fifcrs followed suit. while the harpers
glowered quaking with terror through
the strings Of their silent instruments.
and shut their eyes-on such sight
that now appeared.
II was no human being yet there it
was, dancing through the hall. cutting
such capers and performing such an.
tics that It nearly tumbicd over the
Provost. worthy man. who stood in it3
way. Then II linked in the kings di.
rection, and even jOstled him with It's
elbows. 10 the 10 small dismay Of the
maskcrs of both sexes, who fed
screaming to the other end Of the hall.
n had plume of feathers on its
head, as If IL had been baron. while
It's attenuated form was attircd I'm a
kilt all embroidered with gold bro.
cadc, with dainty dOublct adorned
with silver lacing 10 match. But yet,
as | have said. it was only thing OF
bOncs-an atOmy, a skeleton. "A sight
alike grotcsquc and ludicrous-a ghost
I'm kits! II lightly trOd an airy minuct,
cracking It's npshcss thumbs. and pre-.
tending TO link with unseen partners
down the floor. 1t danced that night
as surely never before had country
dance been danced. grinning and bow
ing at the same time to the Queen
aud her ladies' on the dais, who were
specchess with terror; and then, si-
lent as II had come. II tlittcd from the
palace. and the spell was broken. Then
by degrees came courage back TO the
hearts OF those assembled there.
Such Is the legend of the ghost that
danced at Jeddlrt. n legend that is
historically true.-Glasgow Herald.