15 January 2013
621
R. Linda:
Not long ago, we had two nights of pounding rain coupled with warmer temps. This caused a fog to roll over the snowy ground so thick you couldn't see your hand in front of you. I had gone out to get the dog in before retiring for the night (and while standing outside waiting), a bit of deja vu came over me as if the moment had happened before or I knew it would. Whichever it was, I got the dog, turned off the lights and retired for the night a chill shaking me out of nowhere.
For some reason the familiarity of the scene played in me head as I lay in me bed and thought about it, and thought about it until I realised it was like a night of foggy rain I had experienced in Inistioge in County Kilkenny many years ago. I had been covering a murder a few towns over and an interview had led me to Inistioge where I saw a man with a story that corresponded to the information I needed to complete me assignment. I was rather spooked by the time I ventured forth in the heavy rain and fog for me inn. On me way I came up to a pub, its lights dim in the fog, and me being wet to the skin decided to go in for a hot beverage to warm the chills away.
It was late near to the last call it was and there were but a few locals inside. The place was not brightly lit and it almost seemed as if the fog had rolled in with me. In the semi-light, I made me way to the bar, asked for an Irish coffee and was served in no time. I stood there sipping the hot liquid and as be usually the case, joined in the bit of chat going on. I wasn't there for more than 15 minutes a bloke comes in the door breathless and soaked, clearly in a fright.
He stepped up next to me and ordered, "De sturongest stuff you've got mate an' fast!"
"Wots yer 'urury?" The barman asked pouring the distressed man a shot of Jameson.
"Noght a 'urury, jist want ter settle doon, it 'as been a noight it 'as!"
"Wot be going on?" The man down the other end of the bar with his buddy asked, raising his beer cordially in the man's direction.
"That's jist it mate, Oi dunnu wots goin' on," he said the words tumbling out. "Oi was doon in Coolshane doin' sum day werk fer a farmer an' Oi finished me job late. Oi started back 'ere walkin' an' de rain was coomin' doon sumting fierce. Oi cud 'ardly clap (see) in de fog an' fer a bit I taught ter fend shelter it was so burutal. Jist as Oi was tinkin' dis, Oi clap light cast furom behind me an' whaen Oi turned royn, dere was a motor coomin' but it made naw noise. Slowly it came an' Oi taught ter git a lift ter 'ere so Oi opined de dure an' Oi saw naw wan in de passenger side so Oi jumped in sayin' Oi ope de duriver didn't mind . . . Oi didn't ter say anyting more cos dere was naw wan durivin' de ting! Oi took pause Oi did in wonderin' wot was goin' on. De motor was still curawlin' along at a sleep pace, de rain was poyndin' an' da fog was so burutal Oi coydn't see. Oi wanted ter jump oyt but Oi hate to admit it Oi was too scared ter move!
"As de motor came into Inistioge, de fog lifted a wee bit an' Oi saw Oi was 'eaded fer a turee an' de motor 'ad pecked up speed. Oi coyldn't jump oyt witoyt gittin' 'urt so Oi curunched doon an' purayed ter de saints ter save me. Jist as Oi said sooch an arm came oyta nowhere an' turned de steerin' column so Oi was saved! As soon as de motor slowed enoof Oi jumped oyt an' ran ta 'ere saints pureserve us!" And he took a great gulp of the whiskey.
No one said a word, we were as unnerved as the man telling the tale. He was quite obviously frightened by this unexplained terror and we didn't know what to make of it all. His fright gave us chills as we stood in our respective spots contemplating his words, the only sound the pounding rain on the windows.
Just as a gentle murmur took over the few patrons and the frightened man asked for another whiskey, the door opened and two more soaked to the skin and breathing hard men came in. Were they victims of the spirit motor as well?
"'Ey, wudya lukit dare Tom, it be de eejit jumped in oyur buroken motor while we were a pushin' it!"
The roar of laughter that burst forth from the patrons surprised the two newcomers and the frightened man was no longer feeling his terror, he shrank down in realisation of what had really happened. I tell ya, there be usually an explanation for the so-called unexplained and there it was.
Gabe
Copyright © 2013 All rights reserved
R. Linda:
Not long ago, we had two nights of pounding rain coupled with warmer temps. This caused a fog to roll over the snowy ground so thick you couldn't see your hand in front of you. I had gone out to get the dog in before retiring for the night (and while standing outside waiting), a bit of deja vu came over me as if the moment had happened before or I knew it would. Whichever it was, I got the dog, turned off the lights and retired for the night a chill shaking me out of nowhere.
For some reason the familiarity of the scene played in me head as I lay in me bed and thought about it, and thought about it until I realised it was like a night of foggy rain I had experienced in Inistioge in County Kilkenny many years ago. I had been covering a murder a few towns over and an interview had led me to Inistioge where I saw a man with a story that corresponded to the information I needed to complete me assignment. I was rather spooked by the time I ventured forth in the heavy rain and fog for me inn. On me way I came up to a pub, its lights dim in the fog, and me being wet to the skin decided to go in for a hot beverage to warm the chills away.
It was late near to the last call it was and there were but a few locals inside. The place was not brightly lit and it almost seemed as if the fog had rolled in with me. In the semi-light, I made me way to the bar, asked for an Irish coffee and was served in no time. I stood there sipping the hot liquid and as be usually the case, joined in the bit of chat going on. I wasn't there for more than 15 minutes a bloke comes in the door breathless and soaked, clearly in a fright.
He stepped up next to me and ordered, "De sturongest stuff you've got mate an' fast!"
"Wots yer 'urury?" The barman asked pouring the distressed man a shot of Jameson.
"Noght a 'urury, jist want ter settle doon, it 'as been a noight it 'as!"
"Wot be going on?" The man down the other end of the bar with his buddy asked, raising his beer cordially in the man's direction.
"That's jist it mate, Oi dunnu wots goin' on," he said the words tumbling out. "Oi was doon in Coolshane doin' sum day werk fer a farmer an' Oi finished me job late. Oi started back 'ere walkin' an' de rain was coomin' doon sumting fierce. Oi cud 'ardly clap (see) in de fog an' fer a bit I taught ter fend shelter it was so burutal. Jist as Oi was tinkin' dis, Oi clap light cast furom behind me an' whaen Oi turned royn, dere was a motor coomin' but it made naw noise. Slowly it came an' Oi taught ter git a lift ter 'ere so Oi opined de dure an' Oi saw naw wan in de passenger side so Oi jumped in sayin' Oi ope de duriver didn't mind . . . Oi didn't ter say anyting more cos dere was naw wan durivin' de ting! Oi took pause Oi did in wonderin' wot was goin' on. De motor was still curawlin' along at a sleep pace, de rain was poyndin' an' da fog was so burutal Oi coydn't see. Oi wanted ter jump oyt but Oi hate to admit it Oi was too scared ter move!
"As de motor came into Inistioge, de fog lifted a wee bit an' Oi saw Oi was 'eaded fer a turee an' de motor 'ad pecked up speed. Oi coyldn't jump oyt witoyt gittin' 'urt so Oi curunched doon an' purayed ter de saints ter save me. Jist as Oi said sooch an arm came oyta nowhere an' turned de steerin' column so Oi was saved! As soon as de motor slowed enoof Oi jumped oyt an' ran ta 'ere saints pureserve us!" And he took a great gulp of the whiskey.
No one said a word, we were as unnerved as the man telling the tale. He was quite obviously frightened by this unexplained terror and we didn't know what to make of it all. His fright gave us chills as we stood in our respective spots contemplating his words, the only sound the pounding rain on the windows.
Just as a gentle murmur took over the few patrons and the frightened man asked for another whiskey, the door opened and two more soaked to the skin and breathing hard men came in. Were they victims of the spirit motor as well?
"'Ey, wudya lukit dare Tom, it be de eejit jumped in oyur buroken motor while we were a pushin' it!"
The roar of laughter that burst forth from the patrons surprised the two newcomers and the frightened man was no longer feeling his terror, he shrank down in realisation of what had really happened. I tell ya, there be usually an explanation for the so-called unexplained and there it was.
Gabe
Copyright © 2013 All rights reserved
