Followed by the Devil

by Hattie Dyck

From: Muriel Green, Maitland

September 6, 2006

   The late Wallace Putnam Green, known all his life as "Putty" was not the type of man you'd expect to be followed by a ghost, or the devil. He was strong willed, strong bodied, and a no nonsense individual.

   But ever since his teenage years he swore he encountered Satan one cold, winter's night as he was walking home from a friend's.

   Putty was one of 13 children, born in North Noel Road to the late Tom and

Mahala (Haley) Green. In those days families lived by a strict code of ethics and his family was no exception. When the parents laid down the law of the household they

expected the children to obey. And, most times they did. In those days there were consequences to not obeying your parents. And most children didn't challenge them.

   One of these laws (and there were several) was no playing cards on Sunday or you would be admonished, that the devil would get you. It was a law that was widely practiced in the early and mid 1900's. Playing cards on the Sabbath was really frowned upon. Children were not just told, they were ordered, not to touch the devil's deck on the Sabbath.

   One Sunday evening Putty was bored and wanted badly to go to a friend's home where either the parents were away or card playing was allowed. His daughter Muriel can't remember which scenario he told her. But she does well remember that throughout his lifetime he told this story many times.

   He made up some excuse for his parents and went to play 45's with some others of his teenage group.

   It was late fall and it got dark early. When the game finished Putty suddenly realized he had to walk the mile and a half distance home alone. In the back of his mind was the nagging fear that the devil might really be watching. His father's orders began to

resound in his young brain. But, it was too late. He had disobeyed his orders and now must suffer whatever consequences might come.

   He started down the graveled road walking briskly to get home as quickly as possible. The thought of the family kitchen with its warmth was reassuring. But, suddenly he felt a tinge of fear. He heard footsteps behind him.

   He stopped and looked behind thinking another person might also be

coming or going on that rural road. No one was in sight. And, when he stopped so did the sound of another's footsteps.

   He started walking again, a little faster this time. Again, he heard the footsteps behind him.

   He walked yet a little faster. So did his follower.

   Real fear overtook him. He remembered his father's words. He was sure the devil was behind him.

   Putty started to run with his long legs moving as fast and possible. He made it home at a breakneck speed. When he rushed through the kitchen door the old tea kettle was boiling on the stove, and there was lots of family sitting around the kitchen table.

Never had that kitchen and his family looked so good.

   He badly wanted to tell his parents how frightened he was, but knew if he did he'd really be in trouble. So, he kept his secret for many years before he told them what he had done and how frightened he was.

   Needless to say he didn't play any more cards on Sunday. And, until the day he died he swore that it really was the devil that followed him home that night.

   If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, a prayer at night keeps the devil

from sight.