Research source

I am still near, Watching the smiles I prized on earth, Your converse mild, your blameless mirth.[64

Date of account: Late nineteenth-century compilation
Source: The Ghost World
Reference: The Ghost World · selected passage 170
Rights: public_domain
Language: English
Record updated: 2026-08-24

Record summary

The Northern mines were supposed to be haunted by two goblins

Published source text

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Source passage

Source text · mention only

The Northern mines were supposed to be haunted by two goblins. One was a spiteful elf, who indicated his presence only by the mischief he perpetrated. He rejoiced in the name of 'Cutty Soams,' and appears 'to have amused himself by severing the rope-traces or soams, by which an assistant putter, honoured by the title of "the fool," is yoked to the tub. The strands of hemp, which were left all sound in the board at "kenner-time," were found next morning severed in twain. "'Cutty Soams' has been at work," would the fool and his driver say, dolefully knotting the cord.' The other goblin was no other than a ghostly putter, and his name was 'Bluecap.' Sometimes the miners would perceive a light blue flame flicker through the air, and settle on a full coal-tub, which immediately moved towards the rolley way, as though impelled by the sturdiest sinews in the working. Industrious Bluecap was at his vocation, but he required to be paid for his services; therefore, once a fortnight, his wages were left for him in a solitary corner of the mine. If they were a farthing below his due, the indignant Bluecap would not pocket a stiver; if they were a farthing above his due, Bluecap left the surplus where he found it.

Historical context

Contextual commentary · mention only

This material belongs to a folklore tradition. Story type, collector, community, transmission and literary editing matter when comparing it with other sources.

Modern context

Contextual commentary · mention only

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