The "Chain of
Events"
Is a Ghostories Special Monthly Feature
Year 2002 and 2003
PECANS IN THE CEMETERY
On the outskirts of a small town, there was a big, old pecan tree just inside the cemetery fence. One day, two boys filled up a bucketful of nuts and sat down by the tree, out of sight, and began dividing the nuts.
"One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me," said one boy.
Several dropped and rolled down toward the fence.
Another boy came riding along the road on his bicycle. As he passed, he thought he heard voices from inside the cemetery. He slowed down to investigate. Sure enough, he heard, "One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me."
He just knew what it was. "Oh my", he shuddered, "It's Satan and the Lord dividing the souls at the cemetery."
He jumped back on his bike and rode off. Just around the bend he met an old man with a cane, hobbling along. Come here quick," said the boy, "You won't believe what I heard! Satan and the Lord are down at the cemetery dividing up the souls."
The man said, "Beat it kid, can't you see it's hard for me to walk."
When the boy insisted though, the man hobbled to the cemetery. Standing by the fence they heard, "One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me..."
The old man whispered, "Boy, you've been tellin' the truth. Let's see if we can see the Lord himself."
Shaking with fear, they peered through the fence, yet were still unable to see anything. The old man and the boy gripped the wrought iron bars of the fence tighter and tighter as they tried to get a glimpse of the Lord. At last they heard, "One for you, one for me." And one last "One for you, one for me. That's all. Now let's go get those nuts by the fence, and we'll be done."
They say the old man made it back to town a full 5 minutes ahead of the boy on the bike.
A
GRAVE MISTAKE!
I liked this
card that was given to me so much
that I wanted to share (and yes, after the card I will
make sure to let everyone know where cards
like this can be purchased.
They are simply great!
(drum roll ... and, then you open it up, and it says ...)
This fantastic card was sent to me by my niece and nephew in who purchased it from:
Tomato Cards - Web Site: redtreestudios.com
t
a p s
the
lone bugler
Taps the song that gives us that lump in our throats and usually tears in our eyes. But, do you know the story behind the song? Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land. During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention.
Crawling on this stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment. When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead. The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock, in the dim light, he saw the face of a soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out.
Without telling his father, the boy had enlisted in the Confederate Army.
The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son full military burial despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted. The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral. The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate. But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician.
The Captain chose a bugler.
He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform. This wish was granted. The haunting melody, we now know as"Taps" used at military funerals was born. It goes like this:
Day is
done. Gone the sun.
From the lakes, From the hills, From the sky.
All is
well, Safety rest. God is nigh.
Fading light Dims the sight, And a star Gems the sky.
Gleaming bright, From afar.
Drawing
nigh, Falls the night. Thanks and praise, For our days,
Neath the sun, Neath the stars, Neath the sky.
As we
go, This we know, God is nigh.
t a p s
ALWAYS REMEMBER THOSE LOST AND HARMED WHILE SERVING THEIR COUNTRY
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