The North-Carolina standard., 1843-04-12
THE MODERN SORCERESs:
TRUTH STRANGER THAN FICTION

/ OR
| TRUTH STR4.NrGER THAN FICTION:
The criminal records of Spain ever and anon
present cases, which prove that the revcngcfil
spirit long held peculiar to the people of thai
country and some other parts of southern Eu,
rope, sill exists among them IN almost unGimin-
ishcd fJrce. Circumstances, indeed, have pre-
vented the peaceful spread Of education in these
quarters, and we could nationally look for i'm
provement from no other source. A Saragossa
paper describes the following appalling case as
having been heard before the magistcrial tribunal
Of the city, OF the 4th Of January last. We give
the narrative here, as translated into the French
Journals.
Upon the fowery borders of Ebro, near the
city OF Saragossa, there lived, within these few
months, woman named Calakena. Size called
herself sixty years of age, and appeared not to be
young, but Notwithstanding any tokens of age
discernabie on her countenance, it was still cvi-
dent that she had been remarkable for her 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 long black staff
or wand, and her dress was gown composed of
stuf1s of various kinds, and OF different colors
placed together. Throughout the district-at Sa-
ragossa, Tarragona, and Huenca, from the Gar
den plains of Navarro, even to the far south
she was known and reputed a redoubtable sorce-
ress; and all devout Spaniards crossed them
selves and muttered prayer at her approach, or
III passing her residence. This very fear indica-
ted the extent of the popular bcliefin her powers
and hundreds came, even from great distances, to
avail themselves of that power, in order to oct a
glance into the future, or to further worse pur-
poses. 1t was no uncommon thing to find even
carriages at the door of the sorceress' cabin when
the shades Of evening had fallen n
Those who remembered the arrival of Calakc-
na Ill the neighborhood of Saragossa, said that
she had then appeared young and exceedingly
beautiful, though the traces of some knawing
grief were visible in her look and department.
She herself had said at that time that she came
from Madrid, and that she desired to pass the
rest OF her life in peace, at distance from the
gay world. Excepting as respected the occupa-
ton which her character drew upon her, and !
which she did not dislike or at least did not avoid
Calakena really passed her days in quiet During
the civil war, indeed consultations multiplied up
Oh her. She read horoscopes to the chiefs of the |
Chrlstnos, and to the soldiers of the army of Ca
brera All parties treated her with respect for her
ysical character, and she could pass from place
place among their widest ranks, without shadow
OF injury. Such was the sorceress Calakena
One evening in December, 1910, an equipage
stopped before the cabin of Calakena. A lady
stepped out oft. She was young creature of
exquisite beauty, with cheeks colored like the
and long tresses, dark as ebony.
My dear mother,' said the vistant to the re-
Puted sorceress, slipping at the same time du-
cat OF gold into her hand, 81 am about to be mar
rled, and come to know if my fortune is to be
a happy one.''
" From what place does your intended husband
come % asked Calakena.
" From Venice, mother,'' was the reply.
" Venice!' cried the sorceress, with kindling
eyes, Venice--and his name?''
"Giacomo Salvadi,'' answered the visiter
The Sybil bounded from her seat in state of
excitement, with which was mingled
IN appearance of wild Joy. After pause, she
'ald, with little more calmness, "He loves Won.
loes he? 2"
"Yes mother" returned the young lady.
He calls you his angel, his divinity, the liv-
ng sun of his life 90
Yes, my good mother.''
He passes days at your feet in gazing upon =
'our eyes, and the night he passes under your
windows 2"
Yes, often, my good mother; You speak ex-
ct TRUTH" said the visitant. J.
land then he sings to you," said the sorcer- =
IS; " ne sings to you such words as these: :,
The ruby and the opal stone q
The diamond with its kndling DYES ::
Inc star of morn, SO brightly lone,
HaVe not the charm ofthy sweet eyes, lF
One tells us of the coming sun,
And gems their owners wealth may prove il
o4I m, my sweet eyes, beloved one, f
Ihey speak oflove."
Oh' mother?' cried the young visiter to the ii
orceress, "your power is astonishing. He does q
ng these very words to me % I,