Once upon a night dreary, legend arose

The Washington Times ^ | 8-16-07 | Wiley Hall

[JZelle]

BALTIMORE (AP) — The legend was almost too good to be true.

For decades, a mysterious figure dressed in black, his features cloaked by a wide-brimmed hat and scarf, crept into a churchyard to lay three roses and a bottle of cognac at the grave of Edgar Allan Poe.

Now, a 92-year-old man who led the fight to preserve the site says the visitor was his creation.

"We did it, myself and my tour guides," said Sam Porpora. "It was a promotional idea. We made it up, never dreaming it would go worldwide."

Mr. Porpora is an energetic, dapper fellow in a newsboy cap and a checked suit with a bolo tie. He has a twinkle in his eye and a mischievous smile, and he tells his tale in the rhythms of a natural-born storyteller.

No one has ever claimed ownership of the legend. So why is Mr. Porpora coming forward now?

[JZelle]

[Tax-chick]

How cute! I’m guessing he decided to discuss his role now because he’s 92, and didn’t want to die without giving the public the opportunity to appreciate his cleverness.

I didn’t realize Poe’s birthday was January 19. That’s my 3-year-old son’s birthday, too.

[NaughtiusMaximus]

That’s a lot of cognac.

[gcruse]

"My guess is, this will not affect anything."

It probably won't, because...

...so what? It's a tradition...

and "Fake but accurate" is the hallmark of our time.

Sola scriptura's demise
Has metastasized.