thanks to the Irish Heritage Newsletter. The Story Of The Jack-O'Lantern The "Jack-O'-Lantern" originated with Irish folklore. It is said it began with an Irishman named Jack, who was a stingy drunkard. Jack had the misfortune to run into the Devil in a pub. Jack had too much to drink and was about to fall into the Devil's hands, but managed to trick the Devil by offering his soul in exchange for one last drink. The Devil turned himself into a sixpence to pay the bartender, but Jack quickly placed him in his pocket. Because Jack had a silver cross in his pocket, the Devil could not change himself back. Jack would not let the Devil go until he promised not to claim his soul for ten years. The Devil agreed and ten years later Jack came across the Devil while walking on a country road. The Devil wanted to collect, but Jack, thinking quickly, said "I'll go, but before I go, will you get me an apple from that tree?" The Devil, thinking he had nothing to lose, jumped on Jack's shoulders to obtain the apple. Jack pulled out his knife and quickly carved a cross in the trunk of the tree. This left the Devil in the air, unable to obtain Jack or his soul. Jack made him promise to never again ask for his soul. Seeing no way out, the Devil agreed. When Jack finally died years later, he was not admitted to Heaven, because of his life of drinking and being tightfisted and deceitful. When he went to apply for entrance to Hell, the Devil had to turn him away because he agreed never to take Jack's soul. "But where can I go?" asked Jack. "Back where you came from!" replied the Devil. The way back was windy and dark. Jack pleaded with the Devil to at least provide him a light to find his way. The Devil, as a final gesture, threw a live coal at Jack straight from the fire of Hell. To light his way and to keep it from blowing out in the wind, Jack put it in a carved out turnip. Ever since, Jack has been doomed to wander the earth until he can find a final resting place. No one knows for certain if Jack is still roaming the earth ... -- Pat Connors, currently visiting Sharon Springs, NY http://www.connorsgenealogy.com