The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1828-11-05

on blank leaf at the commencement of the
discourse, from which one corner was torn
the pious author had written, while was
preaching. the Devil reached over my shout.
der and tried to get this sermon away, but
secured it with only the loss of the corner
Mr. Bartlett knew the hand writing of the
venerable preacher, but if any doubt should
exist, few moments search would set the
matter at rest.
About the year 1850, the fury of the
inhabitants of New England had declined
towards suspected old women, but their be-
lieving fear was not altogether quelled. Al
this time case of witchcraft occurred in
Billerica under the ministry of the Rev
DR.. Cummings, who related the story with
much satisfaction, as the last, which came
within his precincts.
Arnold woman of very peaceable charac-
ter lived pretty much alone in she'll of q
house near the Westinghouse and the cler-
gyman's dwelling. She was suspected Of
witchcraft, by family who lived at two
miles distance in the west part of the town,
and they brought accusation Immediately
to the parson ; who, in those early times,
exercised not only the spiritual, but the
temporal power the parish; he was often
council for both parties, and was Judge and
jury, without subsection to appeal-he was
moreover a peacemaker. Mr.. C. accused
Mrs. D. ofwitchcraft. "How do youknow she
is a witch ?" because she Has bewitched
my mare" How do you know that your
mare is hewiched?" "Because she won't
stand still to be saddled, and the minute
get on she kicks up and throws me off,"
But what makes you think that Mrs. D.
has bewitched her." No answer. "Have
you had quarrel with her 20 oh, no! |
han't had no quarrel" But what is the
matter? surely she would not bewitch her
for nothing" "Why carried her some
corn on the mare about week ago, and l
didn't know but l might have made mis-
take in the measure so that it fell short, and
so"--" And because your corn fell short,
you suspect that she found it out, and is SO
angry as to bewitch your mare?" "Yes,
that's it, and | want you to go and lay the
devil" "Why, if you have raised the devil
by cheating in the corn, you had better lay
him yourself" eyes, but | don't know
how" go, then, directly, and carry the
balance of the corn, and take good care
never to commit such an act again: the
devil is always busy with people who do
not perform all their duties honestly"
The man skunk away home at this unex-
pected rebuke, and failed not to carry corn
enough to make full measure, which, how
ever, he feared to carry it into the house to
the old woman, but emptied it down upon
the door stone. But the mare ceased not
to kick as usual; whereupon Mr.. c. came
again to the minister, told what he had done,
and begged for holy assistance. go home,'
said the parson, with all that energy for
which he was so remarkable, ego home,-
you need not trouble yourself about witches
I'll not allow them to do any mischief, | as
sure you-do your duty, so as to escape a
guilty conscience, and if your MAZE is re-
fractory, whip her as do mine-go and
let me hear no more about witches" Mr.
c.. obeyed, but he was far from con-
WINGED, that Mrs. D. was not a witch, and
he determined to put it to the proof For
this purpose, he boiled large potato, which
he put directly from the boiling water, IN
der the bewitched mares saddle. The
cdperngs and kickings of the poor beast
were eXcusable this time, at least, for
when after some hours the saddle was got
off it was found that severe mark was
left behind it. The proof of the matter was
to be in this; if the OIL woman had bewitch-
ed the mare, she would have the same mark
of burn on her back. Two. old women
were prevailed on to he of an examining
committee. DR.. Cummings was requested
to he of the party, with his Bible at hand, tC
prevent any fatal explosion of fire and brim
stone from Satan's nostrls. This Office he
prudently declined. His place was filled
with another old woman, and Saturday
night was appointed for the examination
This time was chosen because the gooC
people thought, thatSatan would not visit II
holy hours. In the mean time the good wo
man got an inklng of what was going on
and as they entered a long dark entry, they
| were saluted with a stupendous flash o
powder and tow, and glorious clatter o
tin pans The committee were scattered, o
course-and before church the next morn
ing every body in the town knew, that the
devil came, all covered with blue birthstone
to save his disciple, the wicked Mrs. ID. I'hl,
would have made new era in witchcraf
in the town, but for the pertinent remark;
of the parson touching the matter; for ht
was enabled to dispense word IN season.