Great-grandfather's Lantern!

Since I live on a bayou in a sort of rustic little house, it stands to reason that my decorating for the holidays tends to lean toward "country" or rustic. Mom used to call this look "Country Clunky" and I suppose that just about describes my technique. Country Clunky! This look uses a lot of old items, found items and natural items. All which seem to abound on the Bayou. Duck decoys and driftwood adorn one sofa table while the other sports an old oil lantern and some deer antlers. As strange as this is to some folks who have to have glitz to make a Christmas, I am just fine having things that have memories as my decorations.

The lantern in mention, has been passed down through several hands before finally landing in my possession. It is tied to memories. Now whether those memories are true or not still needs to be proven beyond a shadow of doubt. Personally, it does not matter that the tale behind the lantern has been embellished as I am sure that each time the tale was related, it received a bit more sensationalism. A lot of family lore can be compared to that old party game "Telephone". While playing the game, folks would whisper a story to their neighbor in a large circle. As the story made its way from person to person, it would change and by the time it reached the original storyteller, it was entirely different than what had started. As I said, the tale may have changed quite a bit over the years...or it might be accurate...who knows.

It seems that this very lantern belonged to my great-grandfather. Since he would arise before daybreak, it was hard to see when he went to the barn to milk the cow. This lantern was used each and every morning to light the way. One morning...as the tale was told to me...when he opened the barn door, he immediately knew that something was not right. The hay was mussed and the chickens had all roosted on the far end..way from where they normally sat for the night. He cautiously entered the barn to find an intruder! This was during the Great Depression so it was not usual to find that someone had sought shelter for the evening but this time...the someone wanted more. The grubby man lunged for Great-grandfather! Out of instinct, Great-grandfather swung the lantern far and wide and caught the man up side the head knocking him to the ground! The tale continues that Great-grandfather bound the villain's hands and feet and sent one of his sons for the sheriff. When all was told, the culprit that attacked Great-grandfather was an escaped murderer! This lantern had saved Great-grandfather's life!

Whether the story is true or not, whether it even belonged to Great-grandfather Carter remains to be seen. Even if not, the lantern remains a treasure! It sits on the sofa table where it receives a goodly portion of attention. Who knows...I may just need it some day..if not as a source of light..maybe as a life-saving weapon!