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HALLOWEEN PRANKS
THERE IS THIS STORY ABOUT A GROUP OF FRIENDS DOWN SOUTH, WHO HAD
FUN EVERY YEAR, DOING PRANKS ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT. SINCE WHAT THEY
DID WAS BASICALLY CONSIDERED TO BE INNOCENT, THEIR PARENTS REALLY
DIDN'T CARE WHAT THEY DID. ONE OF THESE BOYS HAD THE IDEA ONE
NIGHT TO GO AROUND KNOCKING OVER OUT-HOUSES FOR FUN. SINCE ALL
AGREED THAT THIS WOULD BE FUN THEY ALL RAN OUT AND DID THEIR
THING. ON COMING INTO THE HOUSE, ONE OF THESE BOYS MET HIS
FATHER, WHO AT FIRST SIGHT SLAPPED THE BOY. THE BOY BEING AMAZED
ASKED HIS FATHER "WHAT WAS THAT FOR" AND THE FATHER REPLIED "THAT
WAS FOR KNOCKING OVER THE OUT-HOUSE." THE BOY IMMEDIATELY SHOT
BACK AND SAID "I THOUGHT THAT THESE PRANKS DIDN'T BOTHER YOU" AT
WHICH THE FATHER REPLIED "THEY WOULDN'T, IF I HADN'T BEEN IN THE
OUT-HOUSE WHEN YOU GUYS KNOCKED IT OVER."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; 26516 PENNIE ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale |
STORY ABOUT A WAKE
IN THE OLDEN DAYS THEY DIDN'T EMBALM BODIES BUT JUST PUT THEM
IN A CASKET AND THEN BURIED IT. MY MOTHER TOLD ME THIS STORY.
AT A WAKE EVERYONE FELL ASLEEP. THIEVES CAME IN AND TRIED TO
STEAL THE RINGS FROM THE HAND OF THE CORPSE, BUT COULDN'T GET
THEM OFF, SO THEY CUT HER FINGER OFF. WHEN THEY DID THIS, SHE
CAME TO LIFE AND SAT UP. SHE HAD ONLY BEEN IN A COMA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS ; 20533 WOODSIDE DR ; 48225
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale |
Date learned: 11-23-1970
NOT GIVEN
AN EAST SIDE SIAMESE CAT WHOSE DEATH PROVED MORE CAPTIVATING THAN
ALL ITS LIVES HAS FOUND IMMORTALITY, ALTHOUGH AN ANONYMOUS ONE.
THE SIAMESE WAS THE LOVING PET OF A KNDLY LADY WHO--AS THE EVENTS
THAT FOLLOW SHOW--ALSO DESERVES ANONYMITY AND IMMORTALITY.
THE CAT REACHED ITS NATURAL END RECENTLY, AND THE OWNER WAS PER-
PLEXED ABOUT WHAT TO DO WITH THE REMAINS. SHE LIVES IN AN APART-
MENT.
"BRING IT OVER HERE AND WE'LL BURY IT IN MY YARD," A FRIEND WHO
LIVES IN BIRMINGHAM TOLD HER OVER THE PHONE.
A SMALL BOX WAS READIED AND THE SIAMESE PLACED REVERENTLY IN IT.
THEN, BOX UNDER ARM, THE SWEET OLD LADY BOARDED A BUS AND HEADED
ACROSS THE CITY.
BUT WHILE BETWEEN BUSES, SHE DECIDED TO DO SOME SHOPPING DOWNTOWN.
WHILE RUMMAGING THROUGH GOODS, SHE LAID THE WRAPPED SIAMESE ON
THE COUNTER IN A DEPARTMENT STORE.
WHEN SHE LOOKED UP MOMENTS LATER, THE BOX WAS GONE. THE LADY WAS
DUMBFOUNDED AT THE THOUGHT OF REPORTING THE DISAPPEARANCE OF A
DEAD CAT TO STORE OFFICIALS.
AS SHE COLLECTED HER THOUGHTS, SHE NOTICED A LARGE CROWD GATHERING
ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE FLOOR. SHE WENT TO INVESTIGATE AND
FOUND EXCITED SHOPPERS GATHERED AROUND A PROSTRATE FORM NEXT TO A
TELEPHONE BOOTH.
PEEKING THROUGH THE CROWD, SHE SAW A WOMAN SPRAWLED OUT UNCON-
SCIOUS. NEXT TO HER WAS THE BOX WITH THE DEAD SIAMESE.
THE KINDLY LADY TURNED AROUND AND QUIETLY LEFT THE STORE, A TEAR
IN HER EYE. BUT SHE COULDN'T KEEP A SMILE OFF HER FACE.
Submitter comment: NEWSPAPER'S SOURCE UNKNOWN.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale |
TALE: CLEVER ALICE
THERE WAS A YOUNG GIRL NAMED ALICE WHO WAS GETTING MARRIED. SHE
WENT DOWN TO THE CELLAR TO GET SOME WINE AND WAS GONE FOR A VERY
LONG TIME. FINALLY HER FATHER SENT THE MAID DOWN TO FIND OUT
WHAT WAS WRONG. THE MAID SAW ALICE SITTING THE THE CELLAR CRYING
AND ASKED HER WHAT WAS THE MATTER. ALICE SAID, "SEE THAT AXE
STUCK IN THE BEAM IN THE CEILING? ONE DAY OUR SON WILL COME DOWN
HERE, THE AXE WILL FALL DOWN AND CHOP HIS HEAD OFF." THE MAID
SAID, "TRULY YOU ARE CLEVER, ALICE," AND SHE TOO SAT DOWN AND
STARTED CRYING. WELL, PRETTY SOON THE BUTLER WENT DOWN TO FIND
OUT ABOUT THE MAID, THEN THE MOTHER, FATHER, AND FINALLY THE
BRIDEGROOM. THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO ALL OF THEM. THE BRIDE-
GROOM SAID, "TRULY YOU ARE CLEVER, ALICE. LET'S GO UP AND GET
MARRIED RIGHT NOW."
THEY GOT MARRIED AND ALICE TURNED OUT TO BE THE TYPE THAT SAID TO
HERSELF, "SHALL I BAKE OR DUST? I DON'T KNOW, SO I'LL SLEEP FOR
A WHILE." SO SHE WOULD FALL ASLEEP ALL DAY AND NEVER HAVE ANY
WORK DONE WHEN HER HUSBAND CAME HOME. ONE DAY HER HUSBAND TOLD
HER TO GO ROUND UP THE GEESE. WHEN SHE GOT OUTSIDE SHE SAID TO
HERSELF, "SHALL I ROUND UP THE GEESE OR FIX MY HAIR?" SHE SAT
DOWN TO THINK IT OVER AND FELL ASLEEP IN THE HAYLOFT. HER HUSBAND
GOT WORRIED AND WENT TO FIND HER. WHEN HE FOUND HER SLEEPING IN
THE HAYLOFT HE PUT A HAIR NET WITH BELLS ON HER HEAD. WHEN SHE
WOKE UP AND HEARD THE BELLS SHE WENT BACK TO THE HOUSE. SHE
KNOCKED AND ASKED FOR CLEVER ALICE. THE HUSBAND SAID, "YES,
SHE'S ASLEEP IN HER BED." THEN ALICE SAID, "WELL THEN, WHO AM
I?" THE HUSBAND SAID HE DIDN'T KNOW. SO ALICE USED TO GO FROM
DOOR TO DOOR ASKING WHO SHE WAS, AND SHE HAS NEVER BEEN HEARD OF
SINCE.
Submitter comment:
MISS DAMIN HEARD THIS TALE FROM HER HUNGARIAN GRANDMOTHER, MRS.
JOSEPHNE (JOSEPHINE?) DAMIN, WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNGARY ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Daily Life BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 01-00-1964
THE AXEMAN
A GROUP OF THE INFORMANT'S FRIENDS WHEN IN HIGH SCHOOL USED TO
PASS THE BLOOMFIELD ESTATES CEMETERY ON THE WAY TO SCHOOL EVERY
MORNING. EACH MORNING IN THE CEMETERY WAS A MAN WHO CARRIED AN
AXE STANDING AT HIS WIFE'S GRAVE. THE GROUP OF TEENAGERS CALLED
HIM "CHARLIE THE AXEMAN." THEY USED TO TEASE HIM EVERY MORNING
UNTIL ONE DAY ONE OF THE FELLOWS FOUND THIS AXE WEDGED THROUGH
THE HOOD OF THE CAR. THERE WAS NO FURTHER TEASING AFTER THAT.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM THIS GROUP OF FRIENDS.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Date learned: 03-31-1967
OFFICIAL REQUEST
THERE WAS ONCE A MAN AND A WOMAN WHO HAD TWELVE SONS, AND THE
THIRTEENTH WAS ON THE WAY. THE FIRST TWELVE HAD BEEN NAMED
AFTER THE APOSTLES AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE NAME FOR THIS
ONE WOULD BE. BY THE TIME HE ARRIVED THEY HAD DECIDED TO NAME
HIM CHRIST--CHRIST MURPHY.
AFTER A FEW YEARS CHRIST MURPHY STARTED TO SCHOOL. ONE DAY
IN SECOND GRADE THE BISHOP WAS VISITING. HE SAID TO THE TEACHER,
"SISTER, I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR ONE OF YOUR PEOPLE SING. HOW ABOUT
THAT LITTLE BOY THERE," POINTING OUT LITTLE MURPHY.
"CHRIST MURPHY CAN'T SING," SHE PROTESTED.
"WELL, GODAMMIT, HE CAN TRY, CAN'T HE?"
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT HAS NO RECORD OF WHERE HE FIRST HEARD THE JOKE.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; WOODSTOCK
| Subject headings: | 686 Specific number by specific number being described PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Baptism Naming rite |
WAKE UP
IF YOU TALK NONSENSE, YOU WILL BE TOLD, "PUT OUT YOUR HAND
AND SEE IF YOU ARE IN."
TRANSLATION: YOU ARE DREAMING.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAYS SOURCE IS BOSTON, BUT HAS NO DATE.
Where learned: WASHINGTON DC
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 11-04-1967
CAMPUS TALE
THERE IS A STORY THAN AN ARCHITECT FROM THE SIXTH FLOOR OF SHIPLE
WENT OUT ON THE NARROW LEDGE WHICH RUNS THE LENGTH OF THE BUILD-
ING AND RACED ANOTHER ARCHITECT WHO WAS IN THE HALL AND BEAT HIM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 09-00-1966
INDIAN CHIEF TREASURE
IT IS REPORTED THAT "TWO COPPER KETTLES FULL OF MONEY" WERE BURIED
BY A CHIPPEWA CHIEF IN THE NORTHERN PART OF BENZIE COUNTY NEAR THE
MOUTH OF THE PLATTE RIVER IN MICHIGAN. LATER THE INDIAN CHIEF
DROWNED WHEN HIS CANOE CAPSIZED IN GREEN BAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
MILWAUKEE TREASURE
ACCORDING TO A STORY A POTAWATOMI CACHE OF $35,000 WAS BURIED
IN A DEEP PIT ALONG THE BANK OF THE MILWAUKEE RIVER ON THE
PRESENT SITE OF THE CITY OF THE SAME NAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of quality Medium of exchange |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
HOUSE OF DAVID TREASURE
IN BENTON HARBOR, MICHIGAN, IN THE HOUSE OF DAVID (KING BEN
PURNELL'S RELIGIOUS SECT), IT IS BELIEVED THAT A SUM OF TEN
MILLION DOLLARS IS HIDDEN BEHIND A PANEL WITH A SECRET SPRING.
PURNELL IS REPORTED TO HAVE COLLECTED MANY MILLIONS THROUGH
HIS ENTERPRISE AND THE MONEY HAS BEEN CHECKED AND TRACED, BUT
TEN MILLION DOLLARS ARE UNACCOUNTED FOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of quality Medium of exchange |
Date learned: 03-00-1968
SLEEPY HOLLOW STORY
ONE NIGHT A YOUNG COUPLE WENT TO SLEEPY HOLLOW TO MAKE OUT. WHEN
THEY WERE READY TO LEAVE, THE CAR WOULDN'T START. THE BOY WENT TO
GET HELP AND THE GIRL LOCKED ALL THE DOORS, CURLED UP, AND FELL
FAST ASLEEP. SOMETIME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT SHE WOKE UP TO
A SCRATCHING SOUND ON THE ROOF, LIKE A TREE BRANCH BRUSHING ACROSS
THE ROOF IN THE WIND. THE NEXT MORNING THE COPS CAME AND WOKE HER
UP. WHEN SHE GOT OUT OF THE CAR, SHE SAW HER BOYFRIEND HANGING
ABOVE THE CAR, SHOES GONE AND HIS TOENAILS SCRAPING THE ROOF.
VARIATION: THE SOUND WAS A THUMPING AND THE BOY'S HEELS WERE
BUMPING ON THE ROOF.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
Date learned: 10-00-1968
SLEEPY HOLLOW STORY
AN OLD MAN LIVED ALONE BY SLEEPY HOLLOW AND HE OWNED THIS BIG DOG,
ALMOST A WOLF, REALLY. ONE NIGHT A CAR FULL OF DRINKERS STOPPED
IN THE HOLLOW AND SETTLED DOWN TO SOME HEAVY DRINKING. AFTER A
WHILE, ONE GUY GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO WALK AROUND. IN THE MORNING
THE OTHER GUYS FOUND HIM LYING A FEW FEET FROM THE CAR, HIS FACE
AND NECK TERRIBLY TORN UP. HE MUMBLED OUT A STORY ABOUT A GIANT
DOG ATTACKING HIM.
Submitter comment:
THE PERSON WHO TOLD THIS STORY HAD SCARS ALL OVER HIS FACE AND
TOLD IT ABOUT HIMSELF.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
A TEENAGE COUPLE WENT FOR A DRIVE AND THEY RAN OUT OF GAS,
THE BOY SAID HE WOULD GO FOR GAS, AND WHILE HE WAS GONE, HE
TOLD THE GIRL NOT TO LEAVE THE CAR, BECAUSE THERE HAD BEEN
STORIES OF WEIRD HAPPENINGS IN THE AREA. WHEN HE RETURNED
WITH THE GAS, THEY GOT READY TO LEAVE, BUT THEY HEARD THIS
DRIP, DRIP, DRIP. FINALLY, THEY DISCOVERED WHAT IT WAS:
BLOOD WAS DRIPPING ON THE HOOD OF THE CAR.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS AN OLD BOY SCOUT STORY CIRCULATING WHEN THE INFORMANT
WAS A BOY SCOUT.
James Callow comment:
PARKING TABU NOT APPARENT IN THIS TALE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale |
Date learned: 11-00-1972
A GAMBLER'S LESSON
FAR AWAY BY A RIVER, THERE WAS A LITTLE WHITE HOUSE IN WHICH THERE LIVED A FAMILY.
A FATHER, MOTHER, A BOY AND A GIRL. THEY HAD ONE PROBLEM, THEIR FATHER LIKED TO GAMBLE
AND DRINK. ALL OF A SUDDEN, THEIR MOTHER GOT VERY SICK. THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO SEND
HER TO THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE THE FATHER GAMBLED EVERYTHING HE EARNED. THE MOTHER DIED. THE
GIRL WAS HELPING WITH EVERYTHING AROUND THE HOUSE AND THE BOY WAS TRYING TO EARN MONEY FOR
THE LIVING OF THE FAMILY. ONE DAY THE BOY WAS DRAFTED INTO THE ARMY. HE WAS ALWAYS WONDERING
HOW HIS SISTER WAS MANAGING AT HOME AND WAS ALWAYS VERY SAD. HIS ARMY BUDDY WAS ASKING HIM WHY
HE WAS SO SAD. HE TRIED TO HIDE THE ANSWER FROM HIM, BUT FINALLY TOLD HIM THAT HE HAD A BEAUTIFUL
SISTER WHO COULD NOT MANAGE THE HOME BECAUSE OF THE FATHER'S GAMBLING. HIS FRIEND PROMISED TO
HELP HIM DURING HIS NEXT FURLOUGH. HE WENT TO A THEATRE AND BOUGHT HIMSELF A DEVIL OUTFIT. WHEN
FURLOUGH TIME CAME, HE PUT THE OUTFIT ON, AND ON TOP OF IT, THE BEST SUIT THA HE COULD FIND.
WHEN THEY REACHED THE BOY'S HOME, THEY COULDN'T FIND THE BOY'S FATHER. THE SISTER TOLD HIM THAT
THEIR FATHER WAS A FEW MILES AWAY AT AN INN. THE BOY'S FRIEND WENT TO THE INN AND ASKED FOR THE MAN.
THE INNKEEPER TOLD HIM THAT HE WAS PLAYING CARDS IN THE CORNER. HE WENT OVER TO THE CORNER AND GREETED
THE GAMBLERS, ASKING PERMISSION TO JOIN THEM. THEY ACCEPTED HIM. HE WAS A VERY GOOD CARD PLAYER AND
STARTED TO WIN FROM THE BEGINNING. A FEW HOURS LATER, ONLY THE GIRL'S FATHER WAS LEFT IN THE GAME.
ALL THE OTHERS HAD STOPPED PLAYING BECAUSE THEY HAD LOST EVERYTHING THAT THEY HAD. THE GIRL'S FATHER
WAS LOSING ALSO. BY ELEVEN O'CLOCK, HE ASKED FOR ONE FREE HAND OF CARDS. HE HAD LOST EVERYTHING. THE
BOY GAVE IT TO HIM. IT ALSO WAS A LOSING HAND. THE MAN WANTED TO QUIT AND TOLD THE BOY THAT HE HAD NO
MONEY TO GAMBLE. THE BOY TOOK HIS GLOVES OFF. RED, LONG FINGERNAILS WERE STICKING OUT FROM HIS DEVIL'S
OUTFIT, AND WHEN HE REMOVED HIS HAT, LITTLE HORNS WERE STICKING OUT FROM HIS HAIR. HE SAID, "NOW WE ARE
GOING TO PLAY FOR YOUR SOUL. I WOULD LIKE TO WIN YOUR SOUL." THE MAN JUMPED UP AND STARTED TO RUN TOWARDS
HIS HOME. THE YOUNG MAN WAS PURSUING HIM. THERE WAS A CHURCH BY THE ROAD. THE MA RAN INTO IT. THE MAN TOOK
THE SEAT CLOSEST TO THE ALTAR. THE BOY, OUTSIDE THE CHURCH, WHISTLED HIS WAY TO HIS FRIEND'S HOME. THE MAN
WAITED TILL THE PRIEST CAME IN AND ASKED FOR CONFESSION. THE BOY RETURNED ALL THE WINNINGS TO HIS FRIEND AND
ASKED TO MARRY HIS SISTER. FROM THAT DAY ON, THEY WERE A VERY HAPPY FAMILY. THEIR FATHER DID NOT DRINK OR GAMBLE ANYMORE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS STORY AT AN EVENING OF FAMILY STORY TELLING I LUKOWA, POLAND.
HE LAUGHED QUITE A BIT WHEN DESCRIBING THE DEVIL AN THE EFFECT IT HAD ON THE GAMBLING FATHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; POLAND ; LUKOWA
James Callow Keyword(s): SOLDIER DISGUISED AS DEVIL REFORMS COMPULSIVE GAMBLER
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Date learned: 00-00-1934
THE BRAVE NAZZAR
THERE IS A STORY IN LEBANON ABOUT A DIRTY LITTLE MAN WHO
KILLS 1,000 FLIES WITH ONE STROKE. HE BECOMES FAMOUS
FOR KILLING "1,000 AT A STROKE," SO THE PEOPLE MAKE HIM
KING. WHILE LEADING THE ARMY IN WAR, HE BECOMES
FRIGHTENED AND SEEKS SOME WAY OF ESCAPE. BUT HIS HORSE
GETS NERVOUS AND RUNS AWAY WITH HIM, STRAIGHT INTO
THE ENEMIES ARMY. ALL HIS SOLDIERS FOLLOW AND THEY
WIN THE WAR. ON ANOTHER DAY, HE FALLS OUT OF A TREE
AND LANDS ON A LION'S BACK, SO EVERYONE THINKS HE IS
"RIDING" THE LION.
Submitter comment:
THERE IS MORE TO THIS STORY WHICH THE INFORMANT COULDN'T
REMEMBER. HE ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE STORY IS NOW IN
PRINT IN LEBANON, BUT IT WAS AND STILL IS CURRENT EVEN
AMONG ILLITERATES. HE HEARD THE STORY IN LEBANON ABOUT
1945.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale |
Date learned: 11-00-1963
GIRL ALMOST BURIED ALIVE.
IN IRELAND, WHEN SOMEONE DIES, THEY DON'T EMBALM THEM.
THEY JUST PUT A BOARD ON THE BED AND WRAP THE PERSON
IN A SHROUD OR NIGHTGOWN UNTIL THE DAY OF THE FUNERAL
WHEN THEY PUT THEM IN A PLAIN PINE BOX, SHAPED SOMEWHAT
LIKE A MAN, AND TAKE THEM TO THE CHURCH. WELL, THERE
WERE THESE TWO LITTLE GIRL FRIENDS AND THEY HEARD ABOUT
PEOPLE BEING BURIED ALIVE, SO THEY MADE AN AGREEMENT
THAT IF EITHER OF THEM DIED THEY WOULDN'T LET THE OTHER
BE BURIED UNLESS THEY WERE CERTAIN THAT THEY WERE DEAD.
ONE OF THE LITTLE GIRLS DIED AND HER FRIEND HAD A
FEELING THAT SHE WASN'T REALLY DEAD. SO, SHE TOLD THE
MOTHER THAT THE GIRL LOVED RED SO MUCH, SHE THOUGHT SHE
SHOULD HAVE A RED DRESS MADE. SHE WAS JUST STALLING,
YOU KNOW. AND THEN WHEN THE DRESS WAS MADE, SHE WENT TO
PICK IT UP AND RUINED IT ON THE WAY HOME, SO THEY'D HAVE
TO WAIT FOR ANOTHER ONE. FINALLY, ON THE FUNERAL DAY
WHEN THEY WENT TO PUT THE BODY IN A COFFIN, THEY SAW
A TEAR TRICKLE DOWN THE DEAD GIRL'S CHEEK AND THEY ALL
KNEW SHE WASN'T DEAD.
Submitter comment:
MRS. MC CLOSKEY HEARD THIS FROM AN IRISH RELATIVE, WHO
CAME TO VISIT HER IN DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale |
Date learned: 01-13-1964
BURIED ALIVE
A RICH LADY DIED AND WAS BURIED IN A MAUSOLEUM. ON THE
NIGHT OF HER FUNERAL, THIEVES BROKE INTO HER TOMB AND
OPENED THE COFFIN TO STEAL THE RINGS AND JEWELRY FROM
HER BODY. THEY COULDN'T GET ONE RING OFF, SO THEY
CUT OFF HER FINGER AND WHEN THEY DID, SHE WOKE UP AND
THEY WERE SO FRIGHTENED THEY RAN AWAY, OF COURSE.
SHE WALKED HOME AND LIVED FOR MANY MORE YEARS.
Submitter comment:
MRS. MC CLOSKEY HEARD THIS FROM AN IRISH RELATIVE WHO
VISITED HER IN DETROIT ABOUT 1950.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale |
Date learned: 01-13-1964
THERE'S A FORD IN YOUR FUTURE
A PROFESSOR AT MIT (MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY)
WENT HOME FOR THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS. AFTER HE LEFT,
THREE OF HIS STUDENTS DISASSEMBLED A 1929 FORD COUPE AND
PATIENTLY REASSEMBLED THE CAR IN THE PROFESSOR'S VACANT
APARTMENT. AFTER THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY, THE PROFESSOR
RETURNED TO HIS APARTMENT AND FOUND THE CAR, FULLY
ASSEMBLED AND WITH THE MOTOR RUNNING, IN HIS LIVING ROOM.
Submitter comment:
I FIRST HEARD THIS STORY FROM A FRIEND OF MY BROTHER'S
WHO WAS AT THE TIME A STUDENT AT MIT. A FEW YEARS LATER,
I HEARD THE SAME STORY (THE LOCATION WAS CALIFORNIA)
FROM A STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN. HE SAID
THAT HE HAD READ IT IN A COLLEGE HUMOR MAGAZINE.
Data entry tech comment: THIS USED TO BE THE SLOGAN OF THE FORD MOTOR CO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1956
A FARMER WAS PLOWING A FIELD TO BE PLANTED WHEN HE CAME
ACROSS TWO SNAKES. ONE ATTEMPTED TO BITE HIM, BUT ONLY
GOT HIS BOOT. SCARED AND ANGRY, THE MAN RAN FOR HIS
SHOVEL AND CHOPPED THE HEAD OFF THE SNAKE. HE TURNED AND
WALKED AWAY LEAVING THE DEAD SNAKE BESIDE ITS MATE.
AFTER THAT HE FELT HE DESERVED A BREAK FOR THE DAY AND
WENT TO TOWN. THAT AFTERNOON, AFTER BEING SCOLDED BY HIS
WIFE FOR NOT FINISHING THE FIELD, THE FARMER DECIDED TO
GO TO BED EARLY. WHEN THE FARMER TURNED BACK HIS COVERS
HE FOUND THE SNAKE'S MATE HE HAD FAILED TO KILL WHEN HE
WAS OUT IN THE FIELD. THE SNAKE STRUCK AT HIM BUT ONLY
BIT INTO HIS BELT. HE INSTANTLY WENT FOR HIS RIFLE AND
KILLED THE SNAKE BEFORE IT RECOVERED. FROM THAT MOMENT
ON HE SWORE TO NEVER LEAVE A JOB UNDONE. THE FIELD WAS
COMPLETELY PLOWED THAT EVENING.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; RIPLEY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale |