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"Cape Cod is not unlike any other
section of the country [in regards to] becoming aroused to a considerable
degree, especially on some subjects. We do not pretend that its people are
any more courageous than those residing off this sandy stretch of land.
The inhabitants in the quiet old
town of Barnstable have been in a state of intense excitement, but at this
moment quiet seems to prevail. Not long since the attention of the good
people here was directed to the nightly appearance of a "woman in black,"
not a woman in white, as is usually the custom, but simply black. This garb
made it all the more difficult to detect or to withdraw from her presence,
and, before one was aware of her company, she immediately appeared off the
scene.
She would walk along leisurely, and
before any one could give an alarm she would make good her escape. One night
in particular, the Globe correspondent is told, she was noticed near the
residence of one of Barnstable's well-known families, but before a younger
brother could notify the occupants of the house to come out and see her,
this supernatural being had taken eagle's wings, as it were, and flown to
other parts of the shore town.
Another time, she was seen walking
down the "old lane," and was followed for some distance by brave and
handsome William. He soon abandoned the pursuit, however, having taken in
the situation and a possibility of a super-human combat, and returned to his
employer, to whom his startling but daring adventure was related. His
employer, by the way, is part owner of a flourishing general store on the
main thoroughfare, and, although of a general disposition, does not possess
the physical frame of Boston's John L. [Sullivan].
Ed, who is always ready for any
emergency, proposed that Will should follow this spook with a gun. This
proposal was talked over for a time, when, at last the gun was taken from
between the boxes near the back door and put in readiness for next
appearance. History does not show whether or not the gun was discharged, but
anyway it's still loaded.
This woman in black was frequently
seen on Unitarian Meeting House hill. Residents in that neighborhood, who
evidently had not initiated into the secrets of freemasonry, thought perhaps
she had escaped from the lodge room near by. This idea was soon exploded
when Brother Matthews, who is supposed to have been the first to see this
spook, said that he could not explain who she was or where she came from, he
is too well booked in the secrets of this ancient order to expect other than
the goat to be out at that time of the night.
A popular young man who had been
spending the evening with a lady friend returned quite late one night, and,
as he put his foot on to the piazza, the "lady in black" walked off the
opposite end. At first he thought he would give chase, but after a moment's
careful consideration decided that it was not prudent. He, as well as
everybody else, are well aware what country gossip is. Yes, it would truly
look bad for him to be seen trying to overtake this "woman in black,"
especially as he had just left his faithful one, and she of course had no
reasons to believe otherwise than that he was faithful and true to her, and
of course believed him to be in the blissful arms of dreamland.
It was some time before the people
here, especially the young men, dared to venture out after dark, and in
consequence the church fairs, bazaars and the stores were poorly patronized.
Only a few nights since the Globe reporter had occasion to be in Barnstable
over night, and we should believe the people had not got over their fright,
for the streets were deserted and the stores closed bright and early.
In some respects this fright was a
blessing, inasmuch as the town "gossips" were contained to their homes and
could not mingle together and talk about their neighbor's affair.
Up to this day the fear is a
mystery, and cannot be explained. Although a vigilance committee has not
been organized, it is generally understood that there has been sold a
considerable amount of firearms and large quantities of powder. What creates
this sudden demand is a question, but should this "woman in black" show up
again the roar of cannon and musketry would be heard for miles around old
Barnstable. |
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