The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY, WHEN IT WAS PREVALENT TO
WEAR LONG CAPES, A MAN, WHO CLAIMED TO TOTALLY
FEARLESS, WAS DARED TO STICK HIS DAGGER IN THE WOODEN
CROSS AT THE CENTER OF A CEMETERY, AT MIDNIGHT,
HALLOWEEN NIGHT. HE ACCEPTED THE DARE.
CONFIDENTLY, HE WALKED THROUGH THE CEMETERY THAT
NIGHT, DARK, EERIE AND WINDY, THOUGH IT WAS, AND DUG
HIS DAGGER IN THE CROSS. BUT, AS HE WALKED AWAY,
HE FELT A TUG AT HIS CLOAK. HE DISMISSED THE THOUGHT
THAT IT MIGHT BE THE DEVIL CALLING HIM BACK, AND TRIED
TO WALK AGAIN. BUT HE FELT ANOTHER TUG. HE WAS
WORRIED NOW, BUT REFUSED TO LOOK BACK. HE TRIED ONE
MORE TIME.
THE NEXT MORNING, HIS FRIENDS FOUND HIM LAYING BY THE
CROSS, DEAD FROM FRIGHT, WITH HIS CLOAK CAUGHT IN THE
DAGGER HE HAD STUCK IN THE CROSS.

Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND

James Callow Keyword(s): FEAR TEST

Date learned: 11-22-1967