Up On Sullivan's Hill
An Epic Tale: A Little Fact; A Little Fiction64 total reviews
Comment from Father Flaps
Hi Diane,
Wow! That's quite a tale. And to think you lived right across from the cemetery, watching for ghosts on dark horses.
It sounds like Captain Swarthout and his son had no qualms about their actions. Imagine, murdering Farmer Sullivan and stealing his two daughters after they had saved the pair from certain death. Thankfully, Maude was on her way home, and was able to distinguish that there were four riders, not two. She put out the lantern's light, and waited for them to come into view. Then she shot them when she saw they had her daughters. That's some terrific imagery! But what a night for Mrs. Sullivan... delivering a baby that only survived a short time. (Babies often died back in those days. Back in my hunting days, I discovered many gravestones in family plots that tell the story.) Then, Maude had to rescue her daughters from these cutthroats, killing and burying them, before returning home and discovering her husband on the floor. Did he die, too, from the attack? "bludgeoned" makes me think they stove in his poor head. Captain Swarthout was actually a pirate himself.
I wrote the memoirs of a woman at church years ago, Marion Arbeau. She was nervous about it, but she gave me notes and I wrote the stories for her. She has sold around 2,000 copies of it so far, and made many appearances at churches and halls throughout New Brunswick, women's breakfasts and such. I told her, "Marion, we'll tackle this project one chapter at a time. No pressure." It took two years to finish the book, "From a Log Cabin to a Mansion". But your poem reminded me of one of the chapters where an evil spirit tore through their cabin in the middle of the night, making all kinds of racket. It just came right in through one wall, and out the other end of the house. Scary stuff! She was just a young girl when it happened, and her father wasn't home at the time. He was at the logging camp. (They lived in the Miramichi River area, Blackville, New Brunswick.)
My favorite verse,
"That All Hallows' Eve the moon shone so bright
A hint of snow hung in the air
When Farmer Sullivan rose from his bed,
Will bludgeoned him with a huge chair"
and,
"They ravaged and bound these lasses so fair
Their beauty would fetch a great sum
From the filthy pirates the Swarthouts knew
Who would pay both gold and dark rum"
and,
"Both men deeply roared a bone-chilling laugh
Faces raised to the midnight skies
That's when Maude Sullivan appeared, took aim,
And shot them dead - right 'tween their eyes"
It's definitely a chilling tale, Diane. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Old Putin would fit right in with these two vagabonds.
You have been a member longer than me! And you've won so many contests!
Hugs,
Kimbob
reply by the author on 30-Mar-2023
  |
Hi Diane,
Wow! That's quite a tale. And to think you lived right across from the cemetery, watching for ghosts on dark horses.
It sounds like Captain Swarthout and his son had no qualms about their actions. Imagine, murdering Farmer Sullivan and stealing his two daughters after they had saved the pair from certain death. Thankfully, Maude was on her way home, and was able to distinguish that there were four riders, not two. She put out the lantern's light, and waited for them to come into view. Then she shot them when she saw they had her daughters. That's some terrific imagery! But what a night for Mrs. Sullivan... delivering a baby that only survived a short time. (Babies often died back in those days. Back in my hunting days, I discovered many gravestones in family plots that tell the story.) Then, Maude had to rescue her daughters from these cutthroats, killing and burying them, before returning home and discovering her husband on the floor. Did he die, too, from the attack? "bludgeoned" makes me think they stove in his poor head. Captain Swarthout was actually a pirate himself.
I wrote the memoirs of a woman at church years ago, Marion Arbeau. She was nervous about it, but she gave me notes and I wrote the stories for her. She has sold around 2,000 copies of it so far, and made many appearances at churches and halls throughout New Brunswick, women's breakfasts and such. I told her, "Marion, we'll tackle this project one chapter at a time. No pressure." It took two years to finish the book, "From a Log Cabin to a Mansion". But your poem reminded me of one of the chapters where an evil spirit tore through their cabin in the middle of the night, making all kinds of racket. It just came right in through one wall, and out the other end of the house. Scary stuff! She was just a young girl when it happened, and her father wasn't home at the time. He was at the logging camp. (They lived in the Miramichi River area, Blackville, New Brunswick.)
My favorite verse,
"That All Hallows' Eve the moon shone so bright
A hint of snow hung in the air
When Farmer Sullivan rose from his bed,
Will bludgeoned him with a huge chair"
and,
"They ravaged and bound these lasses so fair
Their beauty would fetch a great sum
From the filthy pirates the Swarthouts knew
Who would pay both gold and dark rum"
and,
"Both men deeply roared a bone-chilling laugh
Faces raised to the midnight skies
That's when Maude Sullivan appeared, took aim,
And shot them dead - right 'tween their eyes"
It's definitely a chilling tale, Diane. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Old Putin would fit right in with these two vagabonds.
You have been a member longer than me! And you've won so many contests!
Hugs,
Kimbob
Comment Written 30-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 30-Mar-2023
-
Good morning, Kimbob!
Smiles all around!
I am thrilled that you found "Up on Sullivan's Hill" and enjoyed my imaginative romp. Gosh! I penned that piece quite a few years ago. But Captain Swarthout and "Sullivan's Hill," surely were a huge part of my childhood. And Halloween was always an exciting time - waiting, hoping, dreading that Captain Swarthout might appear on his black stallion!
Marion Arbeau's story is fascinating as well!
I have been around a long time... It's fun to look back on some of my writings and reflect about where, when, why and how... :)
Thank you for your exceptional rating and thoughtful review.
I do believe I have more than a bit of "Maude Sullivan" coursing through my veins... :)
Thank you!
diane
-
You must have known Brooke, too, then. We were good friends. And she was a talented poet, but without publication... so wrong!
Comment from F. Wehr3
Very nice work, Diane. I really enjoyed this piece and the telling of a classic follore. It's the stuff you only get from the locals. Thanks for re-sharing it.
Take care,
Russell
reply by the author on 03-Nov-2018
 |
Very nice work, Diane. I really enjoyed this piece and the telling of a classic follore. It's the stuff you only get from the locals. Thanks for re-sharing it.
Take care,
Russell
Comment Written 03-Nov-2018
reply by the author on 03-Nov-2018
-
Thank you, Russell!
I wrote it mostly for my children to share with their children.
I surely spent many hours "up on Sullivan's Hill."
Thank you for your excellent rating and thoughtful review...
diane
Comment from Y. M. Roger
Wow -- that is an EPIC write, ma'am...epic to match even Paul Revere's ride or maybe pass him on the turn!! ;) :) Absolutely love a good, ol' fashioned ghost story that includes 'the history' [I use the term lightly here! :)] behind the tale....and you've told yours with such a wonderful, rolling melody that it truly enthralls the reader to the end! :) ;) Thank you for reviving that for those of us who were not around the first time! :) ;) Yvette :)
reply by the author on 01-Nov-2018
|
Wow -- that is an EPIC write, ma'am...epic to match even Paul Revere's ride or maybe pass him on the turn!! ;) :) Absolutely love a good, ol' fashioned ghost story that includes 'the history' [I use the term lightly here! :)] behind the tale....and you've told yours with such a wonderful, rolling melody that it truly enthralls the reader to the end! :) ;) Thank you for reviving that for those of us who were not around the first time! :) ;) Yvette :)
Comment Written 01-Nov-2018
reply by the author on 01-Nov-2018
-
Hah!
Hello Yvette!
Well, it was a "hoot" to pen! I had so much fun! I've been enjoying so many Halloween tales that I just had to share this one with folks. So pleased you enjoyed! "Reviving"...eh? More like "unearthed!" :)
Thank you for your excellent rating and complimentary review!
diane
Comment from Ulla
Hi Diane, this is a heck of a poem and a Halloween tale. I'm impressed. I see that it is revived, but I've never read it before. I'm so glad you were exposed to books from an early age. Just like I was. Good luck in the contest. Ulla:)))
reply by the author on 01-Nov-2018
|
Hi Diane, this is a heck of a poem and a Halloween tale. I'm impressed. I see that it is revived, but I've never read it before. I'm so glad you were exposed to books from an early age. Just like I was. Good luck in the contest. Ulla:)))
Comment Written 01-Nov-2018
reply by the author on 01-Nov-2018
-
Hello Dear Ulla!
Hah!
I've been so caught up trying to perfect short forms that folks seldom realize I have written many longer pieces...and non-fiction pieces as well. I just thought readers might enjoy my take on a Halloween tale...which truly is "a little fact and a little fiction."
So pleased you enjoyed! It's not in any contest; just for fun.
Thank you again!
diane
Comment from Mustang Patty
Hi, Diane,
Thank you for sharing this story within a poem. I see it is a 'revived' story. I don't think I read it before, but it is lovely and spooky.
You are so lucky to have had a Dad who filled your life with books,
~MP~
reply by the author on 01-Nov-2018
|
Hi, Diane,
Thank you for sharing this story within a poem. I see it is a 'revived' story. I don't think I read it before, but it is lovely and spooky.
You are so lucky to have had a Dad who filled your life with books,
~MP~
Comment Written 01-Nov-2018
reply by the author on 01-Nov-2018
-
Hello Patty!
So pleased you enjoyed!
I got caught up in the Halloween spirit, and I just thought it would be fun to post this again.
Both of my parents instilled within me a love of books; I truly was fortunate.
Thank you again!
diane
Comment from Debbie Pope
I am out of six stars, Diane, and this poem is so deserving. I was fascinated with every line. I think it awesome that you grew up visiting the Swarthout cemetery. I, too, played in a nearby cemetery when I was young. Some of the graves had so-called ghosts. Nothing like your ghost though. Your ghost has a legend, and you told his story well.
reply by the author on 01-Nov-2018
|
I am out of six stars, Diane, and this poem is so deserving. I was fascinated with every line. I think it awesome that you grew up visiting the Swarthout cemetery. I, too, played in a nearby cemetery when I was young. Some of the graves had so-called ghosts. Nothing like your ghost though. Your ghost has a legend, and you told his story well.
Comment Written 31-Oct-2018
reply by the author on 01-Nov-2018
-
Hello Debbie!
So very pleased that my words have resonated with you!
I had a wonderful childhood. I've written about it in a few of my offerings such as "Nights of Castle Fair" and "To Build a Fence." "Even the Black Ones" is a humorous story of my childhood as well, but I relate an incident where I was less than truthful!
Thank you for your excellent rating and review!
diane
-
I will have to check those poems out. I been at FanStory less than a year, so I probably missed them.
-
Oh, Debbie!
They are old...like me... I joined FanStory in 2007, but I was awol for nearly a decade. Just became a regular again this past January = retired, so now I have more time! :)
Comment from karenina
I enjoyed this haunting tale from first line to the last. The meter and "pace" of the poem especially lended itself to being spoken aloud and I can say this because I saw how my husband responded (this Halloween day) as I read your poem to him...
I had to giggle at the author's note about Mother/Maude--it's amazing how our muses help us along with inspirational "therapy"!
Karenina
reply by the author on 01-Nov-2018
|
I enjoyed this haunting tale from first line to the last. The meter and "pace" of the poem especially lended itself to being spoken aloud and I can say this because I saw how my husband responded (this Halloween day) as I read your poem to him...
I had to giggle at the author's note about Mother/Maude--it's amazing how our muses help us along with inspirational "therapy"!
Karenina
Comment Written 31-Oct-2018
reply by the author on 01-Nov-2018
-
Hello Karenina!
Oh! I love it that you shared this with your husband! Smiles all around!
I so enjoyed penning this piece!
Thank you for your excellent rating and lovely review!
diane
-
Yes! He doesn't often sit still for my exuberant will to share...but he DID love this one!
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
Wow! Diane! This was like a scene from Harry Potter books! You had it all here and what a ride it was! Happy Halloween and keep your head down! I've just double locked my doors! Love Dolly x
reply by the author on 31-Oct-2018
|
Wow! Diane! This was like a scene from Harry Potter books! You had it all here and what a ride it was! Happy Halloween and keep your head down! I've just double locked my doors! Love Dolly x
Comment Written 31-Oct-2018
reply by the author on 31-Oct-2018
-
Hah! Dolly!
What a wonderful review/response.
No worries, but what a wonderful and imaginative childhood place I enjoyed...
As for tonight's Halloween shenanigans:
1. Broomstick is ready.
2. Cauldron is heating.
3. But I'm careful to only use local children.
4. Captain Swarthout has nothing on me!
:) :) ;)
Comment from meeshu
this is a wonderful piece, story told in rhyme. better yet, a true ghost story told in fine rhyme. ominous warnings repeated add to the tension. historical characters and famous names bring so much credence to the write. it is long but I didn't notice as I was riveted to the verse. absolutely fantastic, Diane. a 6six6 and then some......................meeshu
reply by the author on 31-Oct-2018
|
this is a wonderful piece, story told in rhyme. better yet, a true ghost story told in fine rhyme. ominous warnings repeated add to the tension. historical characters and famous names bring so much credence to the write. it is long but I didn't notice as I was riveted to the verse. absolutely fantastic, Diane. a 6six6 and then some......................meeshu
Comment Written 31-Oct-2018
reply by the author on 31-Oct-2018
-
Meeshu!
Beyond honored!
Thank you so much for your exceptional rating and complimentary review!
So very pleased you enjoyed!
Thank you!!!
diane
Comment from Cybertron1986
This piece maintained that morbid, eerie feel from the start. My love for the Halloween festivities were greatly satisfied with this tale, and it rebounded many Halloween emotions both from past and present. Well done
reply by the author on 01-Nov-2018
|
This piece maintained that morbid, eerie feel from the start. My love for the Halloween festivities were greatly satisfied with this tale, and it rebounded many Halloween emotions both from past and present. Well done
Comment Written 31-Oct-2018
reply by the author on 01-Nov-2018
-
Hello Friend!
I am so pleased you enjoyed!
It was such a fun piece to pen!
Thank you!
diane
