Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-10-12
From Me Portsmouth,. IN. H. J Journal, oe'
fobey~ g.
SUPERSTITION,

t0ber e
SUPERSTITION.
On the trial Of the Indictment, the
State ps. Scobg. at the late term o.
the Superior Court in this county.
witness (who by his accent appeared
to be foreigner was examined re-
specting the considerations for a GER
tain promissory mute which he had
made 20 the defendant, who is ply
stefan. He said il was given "fot
curing him Of his ailments some time
ago." Upon being pressed to state
the nature OF those ailments. he adj
mitted. though with great reluctance.
that il was witchcrotf-or what ne
believed to be so. He was about 60
wears old, and on the death of his
: wife and the consequent breaking up
of his family. he became melancholy
and uncomfortable. While in this si-
tuation. he was be1ritched by two wo-
men a few years older than himself,
one of whom--he called her SEA bOunc-
ing widow"-lived in another part OF
the same house with him, and the o.
Their i'm the neighborhood. These
fair ladies', or the likeness Of them
he was not certain which, though he
was rather inclined to believe them
pure spirits-played him many unla-
dy like pranks. They were accus-
toned 70 enter bis apartments after
he had retired to rest, and fash up
on him strange lights, and fix their
eyes upon him with an unearthly
gaze, and use strange signs and ges-
REGULATIONS that were not ofthis world.
At other times they would bring with
them the likeness oftw0 other strange
women, probably the tenants Of the
neighboring grave yard--and the
whole party would sit down in his
chimney corner and smoke theirpiPes
for hours together. in a most ghost
like manner. He used to abjare them
BY all that was sacred, to speak to
him: but the grave has no voice, and
their mysterious silence was more
horrible, than even their unearthly
visits. He was then asked ii ne took
care 10 secure his door against them
He said, no-he always left it on the
latch. "sor why should / fasten it a.
xaiuss the like of them, who can
Whisk through a crack or key.
holei"
Upon being further questioned,
whether they ever appeared in other
than human shape-he seemed to re.
coil from the reco..iection, and decIin.
ed answering the question. But up
on being urged TO tell the whole
truth. ne paused for moment to col
lect his powers, and after severe
mental struggle, which was appar'
snt from his glistening eye and shud'
dering frame-he confessed that they
sometimes came in the shape of HoR'
sEs. "Once" said he. while every
muscle i'm his face quivered at the re-
collection-ss0nce | heard a horse
come near the house in the evening,
and pass into the field directly under
my window. ] looked out, and saw
him feeding. | took a halter in my
hand and went out to catch him.
went close up to BIN, put my arm
round his neck, and was just draw
ing the halter. when--.fa,th, Their
1uas no horse!!a
These feats Of witchcraft were {
little more than human patience coult
endure. Tie witness applied for re-
lief to DR.. Scoby. who. he believed
had a medicine that was "gooa q
eainst witches" The learned Doc
tor folly justified this confidence. fol
he professed to be able, not only Il
cure witchcraft. bat to combat tn
higher powers which caused It. H'
accordingly, at an appointed hour
went with the witness into his apart
me0t, carefully secured the doors ant
windows. aud after kiBdling larg'
: ERE took from him about a quart o
blood, which was solemnIy burnt.
whether as sacrifice TO the Demons
Of witchcraft, or not, does not APP