Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1847-12-22

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M. Hanna had always lived on the most
friendly terms with his neighbors; scarcely
any man had fewer enemies than he, and
no one could imagine the cause Of an ami
mostly so seepersevering and so fatal.as asa-
One day when the mortality was at its
height several friends Of M. Hanna called
/ to consult and condole with him. l.t.Let me
advise with you; said one of them, ''to
apply to the soreeress who lives at the foot
| OF the mountains" - '2-.l
ssssWhat!'' said Hanna, in surprise, .".old
Catiche! You surely do not suspect me of
lending credit to the foolish stories which
are circufuted eand believed among the
slaves of her supernatural powers?''
--.7s-ssBvsho 4seaiis But d Character like
hers is seldom acquired without soms
foundation. Do not imagine that give
her more credit than yourself for powers of
withcraft. But for shrewdness and sagaci-
tyE,,4 do give her credit. By her, spies, or
Otherwise she obtains Information regarding
the most secret. doings Of her neighbors;
scarce a whisper can be spoken, but it
comes to her ears; and if any one can in
form you who is your secret enemy, it is
old Catiche. 80
Haime recurred next day to his friends
advice. 81 shall be. "a beggar," thought he,
if this mysterious mortality continues much
longer. And, after all, wise man may
profit even by the superstition Of fools.
AT all events, cannot lose much by the
trial. So he mounted his horse and rode,
unattended, to the hut of the sorceress.
She sat in its furihest corner, ruff1ed in
q huge blanket, and muttering. unintelligi-
bly to herself, and did not by word or ges-
ttIre, intimate her recognation Of the plan
ter az he entered. He seated himself by
her, and inquired if she could throw any
light on the cause Of his late misfortunes.
SHOW should % returned the hag, in
her sharpest key. ''How should a poor old
creature like me know anything of such
doings?'' ..'.'.<...
Haima repressed his impatience, while
he replied, 81 do not suppose, as many 90,
Cathiche, that you have other means to OBJ
tain information than any one else might
have, with the same acquaintance and op-
portanity. But you do get to know almost
every thing that passes in the island"
sand if cannot speak with spirits, why
do yon come to me, when you have your
own eyes and ears, and can use them as
well as can2o eaE ,z,.ss 4a.a .a-.4s
The planter was little accustomed to be
leased or contradicted, but this was not
moment to resist the oldWoman's peculiar
temper. He draw couple Of gold pieces
from his pocket, and as he put them in her
withered hand he said, s'Catishe,e l. have
not time to argue with you.- Tell me, if
you. can tell me, who it is that poisons my
slaves and cattle."r .rqs s-.t
The old woman looked at the gold, cast
searching glance around the room, and
then, approaching her lips to the planters
ear, she pronounced, in low whisper, the
name of ssAntoine.' .
"How!" said Hanna, out Of all patience
ssHe whom I have treated as son, and
loaded with benefits! You rave. What
are your proofsp' =.
But catiche remained obstinately silent,
and not another word could the planter
drawn from her. So he was forced to take
his leave, very little satisfied with his visit.
81 told you how it was," to his friends
inquiry regarding his success. ''The old
fool knows nothing of the matter,and out of
envy,or the wanr Of some one else to accuse,
she lays the blame on poor Antoine. But
| merited no better answer for my folly in
going to consult the sorceress."
"Be advised" rejoined his friend. 'sCat-
iche is we'll informed regarding all that
passes on our, plantations, and she would
not hazard such an assertion without good
reason. You have unlimited confidence in
Antoine, but see that it is not misplaced; he
has opportunity enough if he be SO disposed,
to do you this injury.'' -
"But how should he be so disposed? |
have shown him more favor than to any
one else on the plantation. He has what
soever he asks or wishes for. Interest if
not gratituded, would make him regard my
welfare as his owns -'-s.5' r
s.Well," said his friend do not trust too
much to probabilities. Order Antoine to
be seized; tell him that all his villainy is
discovered, and see how he will conduct
himself - s .-Z-- - .'.. =.
NJ Hanna was exceedingly 10th to agree
to proposal which seemed to cast an un-
just imputation on his favorite, but at last
his friends repeated representations induced
him to adopt it. : as'.z'. -' @
Antoine was manacled, and brought
before him. He uttered no word of COM
plaint, yet neither did he evince any signs
oftrepidation or guilt. His master already
began to repent the course he had adopted;
and, as he looked on Antonie's steady eye
and collected demeanor, he found no little
difficulty in acting the part he had SO un-
willingly consented to assume.
.'It is you then,'' at last he said, s'who
have been my secret enemy-who have
wantonly destroyed my property, and all
but effected my ruin?"