| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Many Flags |
Posted - September 03 2004 : 08:04:55 AM
The night of merriment had turned somber as Three Tales began the story of the Blue Light. And as Tales began the narrative, weaving the sad yet violent tale of spectral fury, two provincials from the Virginia colony slunk off into the dark woods carrying an unlit lantern, mischief on their minds, smirks on their faces; but watched closely by the eyes of a kilted Uncle and his army of sheep.
“There was once a mother and a father who lived deep in the woods with their young daughter, the apple of their eye. They were a poor family and the young girl, so innocent and good, had only a blue dress to wear. They were visited every several weeks by a circuit riding preacher of the name Pastor Stahl. Pastor Stahl always looked forward to visiting this family because of the caring and love which this family seemed to put forth; and the mother’s cooking was not too bad either. And although it was several miles back in the forest, off the traveled road to reach the family’s cabin, he would take the time and also minister to the family, praying and holding a small service each time he visited.
The young girl in the blue dress was the sweetest “maedchen” one could ever expect. She was about 8 years of age with light brown hair usually pulled back as a pony’s tail, with fair complexion and blue eyes, and her face seemed always scrunched into a lovely smile. She was kind and helpful. But, after several visits, Pastor Stahl sensed that not all was right between the father and his daughter. There was nothing visible, but the Pastor felt that the wholesome, loving atmosphere may be covering up some dark secrets.
On this one particular visit, Pastor Stahl happened to have stopped in when the father was out cutting some firewood for the impending winter. The good Pastor prayed with the mother and blue-dressed daughter, then a fresh apple dumpling was placed in front of him. Pastor Stahl ate with content and when finished the mother asked her daughter to go play outside. As soon as the daughter left, the mother broke down and wept. Pastor Stahl, always the shepherd and caretaker as our Christ is, asked her to share her sadness so he could help. The mother related how the daughter was not of the seed of the father, and this continued to prey on the father’s mind. Lately, he had become very morose and a fierce glint in his eye whenever he addressed the daughter had begun to bother the mother and frighten her.
At that moment, the father burst through the door. Never had the Pastor seen him look like this. His eyes were wild, his hair in disarray, his clothes lathered in sweat, and a bit of slobber dripped from his lips. He clenched and unclenched his fists repeatedly and his breathing was fast and raspy. He ordered the Pastor out of the cabin, saying that there was enough praying for the day, there was work to be done by his family, and he ranted on with dark, evil, sometimes unintelligable words. Pastor Stahl attempted to intervene and quiet the man, but the mother pleaded with him to leave, that she would be fine, as she cowered from her husband in deep fear and loathing.
As the Pastor rose to leave and walk past the deeply breathing and maddened father, the sweet daughter slipped into the cabin and sidled in beside her mother, for she was also visibly fearful of her “father”. The father roared again to leave “this place” and he strode over to the wife and daughter glowering down at them malevolently. Pastor Stahl was torn, but knew he was no match for this man and his leaving may in fact, quiet the man’s violence. Lifting his eyes to heaven he said a silent prayer, then out the door he went, knowing that he would ride quickly to the nearest village to bring back help for the poor mother and daughter. As he glanced backward through the cabin window, he noticed no violence, but was shaken by the actions of the father. Ja, he had stopped the deep breathing and had quieted, but now he had an evil smirk on his face and |
|
![The Mohican Board! [Bumppo's Redux!]](images/wwwboard.gif "The Mohican Board! [Bumppo's Redux!]")
