Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-03-25
The Ghost That was
Laid by the Heels


| kdlu Wy tHS llSSio
BY q. w. =. HILL.
Written for the Democrat)
Adama came slowly down the noun
tain trail, apparently descending from
the clouds. He was followed by flock
of sheep. Accompanying him was bis
personal chum and ally, Laddie, the COL
lie.
A heavy mist was swirling up the val
ley. Old Gray Top mountain was rap
idly losing its head in the clouds silently
Gaping It. Its bulky outlines we're dis
solving In the mists that played about its
base. Evening was beginning to steal q
march ON the boy. There was promise
of wet night. The snow was fast run
ming into rivulets that furrowed new
ways down the mountain side to the river
beyond. The footing for the boy and his
flock was insecure, at least, but your
hardy mountaineer little brooks such
slight obstacles.
HHeigh- o! ca-nans," he shouted lust
ily, 1--WE have less than an hour to sum
set, and it's eight smart tramp home
yet. Well be as wet as the regular test
night boy in the morning, eh, ca-nans,
ca. mans! Heave ahead, Laddie, just
little faster. It's going to rain real water
soon. Heigh-O, we're neither sugar nor
salt to melt at the first spring rain." He
drew his sheepskin coat closer about
him. His spiked staff he used With good
effect.
Adama possessed the habit of consult
ing himself aloud when on his daily
tramps and nightly vigils with the sheep.
Being the youngest of his fathers family
he was elected shepherd boy for the year.
Suddenly up from the rear there sounded
q piteous bleat, a cry of distress. =
"By Saint Swithin's hood" cried the
startled boy, that sounded like Miriam's
cosset; away with you Laddie! Up the
trail and find out what's wrong-quick!
But the dog was off at the first plant OF
the sheep ere his master had commanded.
Adama cooed, "ca-nan, ca-nan, come
ca.nan," through his hands, then listened
an instant for replies. The other sheep
bad crowded about him or pushed ahead
at the frightened call Of the assaulted
cosset. From high above him came
dogs howl of rage, then a whimper,
cry of pain. There came to him also,
the sound of much cursing in indistinct
patois; then the deep throated baying OF
Laddie answered, followed by the crash
OF body falling through the brush and
down over the precipitous sides OF the
mountain to the gully far below.
"Aye, know that snarl-Wolfgangs
He belongs to that renegade Bottonal
what's that!" A weird, piercing cry
startled the boy for moment and he
shivered as he listened for its repetition.
It came down to him on the instant,
floated out against the cliffs and out over
the valley. Bansbee!" " he Chartered
"Come ca.nan, ca-nan!" With face
slightly paled he grasped his staff the
firmer, calling for his dog: Laddie, -
Laddie, where art thOuP"
The crashing of limbs at his right, the
hard breathing told him that the dog
was coming. He leaped upon the rocks
to meet the dog just as he came into
view dragging the body of 9 sheep to
him. "Gently, gently, Laddie; you're
brave lad, but sorry nurse. | fear me
tits dead. Aye, indeed, it's Mriam's cos
set. would that had my hand upon
that dirty butchers throat!" he said,
while examining the sheep.
"Was it the banshee, after all or was
1t Bottonal? No, no, he wouldn't dare!
Laddie. come here; you're bleeding:
Knife cuts, surely. You've 6lackish-red
hairs, too, in your coat. All! l know
the marks. Wolfgaug and Wolfgang's
masters. 'Banshesp' Bah! Tomorrow
I'll meet him, never fear"
Adama reached home with his flock
just upon night fall. he yarded the
sheep and reported to his father, throw
ing Miriam's mangled cosset down as be
spoke. "Banshee! he said, pointing to
the carcass, without disclosing his sus-
picious. But he continued, "Half way
down old Gray Top Tomorrow I'll see
him."
"Ugh! banshee on six legs" remarked
his father upon examination. A frown
wrinkled his brow as portentous as a
thunder cloud round the summit OF Gray
Top.
After the evening meal the father filed
the great fireplace with heavy logs.
"Adama," said he, turning to the boy,
"to.night at the turn Of the tide will be
the time of our spring testing at about
three hours to midnight. 1t ia your turn
to fix the spell this year. Pull up your
courage another notch and do your duty,
for it's bleak night, and success to you"
Adama was rugged boy, sixteen years
old, from a sturdy, thrifty race OF
farmer - shepherds accustomed to all
sorts of hardships in all sorts of weather
grim, stoical and faithful In dangers Pc
culiar to life.
The liking the SPELL" or "test-uight
trough" was q superstition that throve
valiantly In those far.away days, In other
lands. Through many generations itt
efficacy had been accepted eagerly, and
its charms lay 10 its supposed power ia
kill the ghost OF influenza, or all Ills ol
the flesh; also to guard the body from
the deadly effects of the evil eye.
| This was the manner of the test: a
sort of trough was made from the earth
II pliable soil could be found, otherwise
the trough was shaped in the snow
This was allowed to fill with the frs,
spring rain, then member OF the family
was selected to lie in this water all nigh
long. The victims effort to preven
himself from freezing by sheer force o.
will-power was supposed to possesl
yicarious virtues sufficient to safeguard
the family for the remainder OF the year
Thus they tried to propitiate the gods o
health.
To be appointed tester for the sprinl
test-night was considered an honor b,
the recipient, for, strange to say, tb'
family was usually benefited by these
heroic measures.
Adama smiled upon hearing his father
command. To be sure, his sisters felt
deal of pity for the boy who must lie on
in the rain and slusb, and the pitch
darkness, all through the dreadful night
His mother also murmured her sympath
for her youngest son. But his brothers
who had taken their turns In the tests :
we'll, they merely shrugged their shou
ders remarking that 1t was no more 10
"Ad." to take his share of 1t than 1t ha
been for them in other years. Surely b
would not refuse to suffer slight dis
comfort for 80 worthy cause.
"Don't forget" remarked Adams
"that I've not refused nor complained
Yeti" he drew on his old sheepski
Jumper and breeches In readiness for tn
trial. He entertained no thought OF n
fusal, but he did have query about IL
being necessary to do this sort OF test
order to kill the ghost, yet-he'd not Al
/ IL. k,,k A. ka