Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-03-24
THE MODERN SORCERESS;
OR, TRUTH STRANGER THAN FICTION.

The criminal records Of Spain ever and
anon present cases, which prove that the re.
v%engcful spirit, long held peculiar 10 the PEG.
pie Of that country and some other parts Of
southern Europe, still exist Among them in
almost undiminishcd force. Circumstances,
indeed, have prevented the peaceful spread
Ct education in these quarters, and we could
nationally look for improvement from no o,l,-
or source. A Saragossa paper describes the
following appalling case as having been heard
before the magesterial tribunal of the city,
on the 4th of January last. W. give the
narrative here, US translated into the French
journal.
Upon the flowcry borders of the Ebro,
near the city Of Saragossa, there lived, with
in these few months, a woman named Gala
kcna. She called herself sixty years Of ape,
and appeared no, to be young; but notwith.
standing any tokens Of age disccrnabIc on
her countenance, it was still evident that she
had been remarkable for beauty. Calakena
had dwelt in her cabin on the Ebro for many
years; she lived alone. and, like the owl,
only issued, for the most part, by night. She
carried continually in her hand a long black
staff or wand, and her dress was a gown CONF
posed of stufTs of various kinds, and Of tiftr-
cnt colcrs, placed together. Throughout the
whole district-at %Saragossa, Tarragona, and
Hucnca, from the garden plains of Navarro
even to the far souih-.sle was known, and
repu,cd u wdouhtalIe sorcrrcss and all de-
won't Spaniards crossed themselves and NUT
tered u prayer at her approach, or in passing
her residence. This very fear indicated the
extent of the popular belief in her power;
and hundreds camc even from great disian.
cps, to avail themselves of that power, in or
der to get a glance into the future, or to fur.
tIcr worse purposes. !, was no
thing to find even carriages at the door of
the snrrrrrss's cabin when The shades of
evening mad fallen in.
Those who remembered the arrival of
Calakcna in the nrightnIO Of Saragossa,
said that she had then appeared young and
exceedingly beautiful, though, the traces Of
some gnawing grief were visible in her look
and department. She herself had said at
that time that she came from Madrid, and
that she desired 10 pass the rest of her life in
peace, at u distance from the gay world.
Excepting as respected the occupations which
her character drew upon her, and which she
did not dislike, or at least did not avoid. CAL
akena really passed her days in quiet. Dur
ing the civil war, indeed, consultations null
,iplicd upon her. She read horoscopes to
the chiefs OF the Christmas, and To the SOL
diers of the army Of Cabrera. All parties
treated her with respect for her mystical
character, and she could pass from place, 10
place, among their widest ranks, without a
shadow of injury. SucI, was the sorceress
Calakcna.
One evening in December (184O), an
equipagc stopped leforc the cabin of Gala
kena. A lady stepped out Of il. She was Il
young creature of exquisite beauty, with
cheeks colored like the pomegranate, and
long ~ircsses, dark as ebony.
"My dear moiIcr," said the ~visitant to
the repntcd sorctress, slipping at the SAINT
time Il ducat of gold into her hand, II am
about to be married, and | come to know il
my fortune is 10 be II happy one"
"From what place dies your intended hus.
band come 7" asked Calakrna.
From Venice, mother" was the reply.
"Vcn,cc !" cried the sorcrress, with kind
ling eyes," Venice land his name 7"
"Giacono Salvadi," answered the visit.
or.
The Syhli bounded from her seat in a state
of seemingly, irrepressible excitement. will
which was mingled an appearance of wild
joy. After a paIac, she said, with a ltilc
n,ure calmncss, ''lln loves you, does he -
ayes. MOTHER" returned the young lady,
f" lie calls YOU his angel, his divinity, the
living sun Of his litr?"
Eyes, my good mother"
"He passes days at your feet in gazing
upon your eyes, and the night lie passes un.
der your windows :"
"Yes, often, my good mother; you speak
the exact TRUTH" said the ~visiian,.
"And then he sings TO YOU" said the sor.
cercss ; she sings 10 you such words as these
The ruby and The cpnl stone.
The diamond with its kindling dyee,
The star of morn, so brightly lone,
Have not the charm OF thy sweet eyes,
One tells us of The coming sun.
And gems their owners wealth may prove,
But thy sweet eyes. beloved one,
They spenk OF lore?
"Oh, mother !" cried the Young visitor
to the sorcrress. .'your power is astonishing
lie d"rs sing these very words to me !"
"Yon sec that every thing is known I,
me-" answered Calakena, land you will b,
the better prepared to f"lI"w my c%ounscls
In order that your marriage may he happy
il is necessary that you should send ynur in
tended bridegrnom TO me. On his 6rmncs
and courage, under the proofs to which
shall subject him, depends your future wei
fare"
The Young lady, Donna isabella, was de
lighted with this answer TO her application
Seeing the extent of the sorcerrss's kno vi
ridge in one respect, she had no doub, but tn
latter could ensure her Wooded happiness, o
a, least, ward OF any impending evils "
timely warning. "ifou happiness dcpen'
on the frmncss and courage Of Giacomo, ",
must be- happy, for he Is brave as the Cid"
$50, them" answered Calakena, "an'
tell him TO come hitler Tomorrow evening
But YOU also must come, aud before him."
L n lr. = ..t- ~ 49, Il