What do you think?
Rate this book
Sandy the Tinker
- GenresShort StoriesHorror
Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1882
4 people want to read
About the author
Charlotte Riddell
165 books48 followersSee J.H. Riddell
Charlotte Riddell aka Mrs J.H. Riddell was a one of the most popular and influential writers of the Victorian period. The author of 56 books, novels and short stories, she was also part owner and editor of the St. James's Magazine, one of the most prestigious literary magazines of the 1860s.
Charlotte Riddell aka Mrs J.H. Riddell was a one of the most popular and influential writers of the Victorian period. The author of 56 books, novels and short stories, she was also part owner and editor of the St. James's Magazine, one of the most prestigious literary magazines of the 1860s.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 26, 2025
4.25⭐
The story is set in a Scottish manse, where a group of ten travelers, stranded by bad weather, gathers around a fire to hear Morison, an eighty years old minister talk of a mysterious and unsettling experience which happened thirty years previously in which Edward Cawley, a fellow clergyman newly appointed to occupy his deceased father's pulpit at Dendeldy had a chilling dream which he believed was a vision.
In the dream Cawley had been walking out by the Witch's Caldron, when his further progress is barred by a formidable figure. This figure turns out to be the Devil. The Devil takes Cawley into the rocks to Hell and demands his soul and will not release him unless he swears to return. However, if Cawley is able to provide a substitute by next Wednesday before midnight, he will release him. In a panic Cawley names Sandy the Tinker, a harmless reprobate old, dissipated wanderer who is drunk more often than not and normally filthy dirty.
Cawley figures no one will miss Sandy, whose arrival in the village coincides with a series of strange and inexplicable events. He thinks to himself that he will bring Sandy as a substitute to the devil and that his soul will be free. The Devil lets Cawley leave and gives him three days to return. Cawley, who returns home and summons Morison, in an agony of terror.
The next day as never happened before Sandy the Tinker is at the church service, clean and sober. Upon seeing this Cawley realizes that he cannot in all conscience proceed on such a morally indefensible basis. Determined to give himself to the Devil, he becomes more and more unhinged at the thought of what awaits him, until his doctor finally drugs him to ensure that he sleeps throughout the night when he is due to fulfil his promise. When he wakes, it is to discover that his soul is no longer in danger and that the Devil’s price has unaccountably been paid, however .
The story is set in a Scottish manse, where a group of ten travelers, stranded by bad weather, gathers around a fire to hear Morison, an eighty years old minister talk of a mysterious and unsettling experience which happened thirty years previously in which Edward Cawley, a fellow clergyman newly appointed to occupy his deceased father's pulpit at Dendeldy had a chilling dream which he believed was a vision.
In the dream Cawley had been walking out by the Witch's Caldron, when his further progress is barred by a formidable figure. This figure turns out to be the Devil. The Devil takes Cawley into the rocks to Hell and demands his soul and will not release him unless he swears to return. However, if Cawley is able to provide a substitute by next Wednesday before midnight, he will release him. In a panic Cawley names Sandy the Tinker, a harmless reprobate old, dissipated wanderer who is drunk more often than not and normally filthy dirty.
Cawley figures no one will miss Sandy, whose arrival in the village coincides with a series of strange and inexplicable events. He thinks to himself that he will bring Sandy as a substitute to the devil and that his soul will be free. The Devil lets Cawley leave and gives him three days to return. Cawley, who returns home and summons Morison, in an agony of terror.
The next day as never happened before Sandy the Tinker is at the church service, clean and sober. Upon seeing this Cawley realizes that he cannot in all conscience proceed on such a morally indefensible basis. Determined to give himself to the Devil, he becomes more and more unhinged at the thought of what awaits him, until his doctor finally drugs him to ensure that he sleeps throughout the night when he is due to fulfil his promise. When he wakes, it is to discover that his soul is no longer in danger and that the Devil’s price has unaccountably been paid, however .
September 30, 2021
(1876) This tale of the uncanny flows smoothly. There are no surprising twists or particularly scary moments. It is just a well crafted weird tale. A minister has a terrifying dream in which he has the option to send a substitute to Hell in his place. Also available on youtube. 3.5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews