The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-05-22
MISCELLANEOUS.
NEW ENGLAND wITCHcRAFr,

E NA w ANGLANlb WAICHChAFfy
ny JOHN NEALE
u was at the trial Of Sarah Good, that a
circumstances occurred which, though hardly
noticed at the time. led al last 10 a series Of
horror and suffering never to be forgotten by
that part Of the world. One Of the afflicted
gave loud scream while the face Of Sarah
Good was turned away, and fell upon the
floor. Being lifted up, she declared upon
oath that she had been stabbed with knife
by the shape or spectre OF the accused, while
she, the accused, Sarah Good herself, was
pretending to hide her face; for, al her look,
the glance of her eye only, the wretched
sufferers would 60 distracted, as il were, and
foam al the mouth and tear themselves and
then again at her touch, they would Instantly
recover. For proof, the accuser plucked
forth from her flesh the blade Of knife, de-
claring that when the blow was made by the
spectre, the blade broke off, as il it was on
the way 10 her heart All the Judges were
thunderstruck the people mute with terror.
The poor woman herself, who had been lock-
ing her hapds, and bowling her head in prayer,
started up with cry Of anguish, and flung
her arms abroad, and looked about her on
every side as If she had no longer any
earthly hope. The accuser echoed her cry,
as il struck to the heart anew, and fell for
ward her whole length upon the floor of the
church, and lay there for while as if en-
tirely overcome with sleep or approaching
death. Not breath could be heard in the
whole house, not a murmur-there was a
dead preternatural quiet everywhere till she
stirred of herself; they were even afraid to
touch her. The trial was over, the evidence
through, the charge itself had been made and
the foreman Of the jury stood up to render the
verdict Of death. But before he could speak,
a tumult was heard afar off, growing louder
and louder every moment. and nearer and
nearer the multitude swayed this way and
that--a bus,le followed at the very door, and
straightway appeared small, swarthy man,
with iercer look, dragging large boy by
the shoulder, lifting him along as if he were
shadow, and making his way through the
crowd like giant.
What no !" cried he to the Judge. What
no !" to the foreman Of the jury, as they
quailed and trembed at his approach, why
speed We thus in the work Of death? And
you the baily, and you doctor Malher, and
you Captain Sewell who are sitting there to
Judge The quick and the dead, how dare ye
Who gave you power to measure and weigh
such mystery Are We Of the gifted and the
powerful--specially gifted from on high
with rower 10 see spirits, and able to take
the Prince Of Darkness himsefby the horns !"
"Who is it who is it? Whom have
you there 7"
Master Burroughs, believe" said one Of
the Judges.
Burroughs continued. cam / to be fooled
and thwarted, and BETRAYED at every step OF
my life, that you may be left free here to lord
it over the church, aud waste the heritage of
the widow and fatheress y
Who is that boy Z" said the Judge.
"Ask him! Behold his beauty! See him
face to face, if you dare, with her that told the
story Of the knife"
sand wherefore 7" asked one Of the judges.
I" Wherefore, Andrew Elliot wherefore
wal, and you shall know. There is no hurry.
1t may be time enough week hence, or
month, or whole year, for such as you TO
throw away again immortal hopes-your
very souls, by spiIling the blood Of the inno-
cent"
"Oh, sir sirw cried the poor woman at
the bar. " God forever bless you! Why did
you go away from those who knew you. and
loved you, and trusted you! Why did you
ever leave us and why, TO the tender mer-
cies Of men who have no bowels, even for
their own mothers, nay, even for their own
offspring"
Be Of good faith, Sarah! The Lord thy
God shall be nigh unto thee and comfort thee.
Have courage, and put all thy trust in them
that hath power to deliver thee"
"Ah, sir, have! do! and parry that His
will may be done, sir-on earth as it is in
heaven"
Have courage, Sarah" And then turn
ing to the judges, he asked if the boy might
be heard.
/" IL he knew aught Of this matter, certain
ly. What say you brother Willard 2, asked
Judge Sewall, turning to a minister Of the
church on his right.
Certainly, Captain Sewall, certainly by
all means. We are never too late, | hope,
for mercy and truth. Let the boy be sworn"
The boy having STEPPED forth, upiified his
right hand according to the law Of the peo-
pie, with his fine yellow hair blowing about
his head like glory, and swore to the ever
lasting God, the searcher of hearts to speak
the truth. All eyes were upon him; for he
stood face TO face with her who had sworn
to the spectre knife; and his beauty was ter
rible. Near him with her young eyes lifted
up to his, and her lips apart, stood Bridget
Pope, leaning forward as if holding her
breath and just ready to fall--such was the
eager intensity Of her attitude, the passion