American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-09-29
For the American Telegraph.
THE WITCH OF GOLDING GORGE.
TALE OF THE POTOMAC.
IN SIX CHAPTERS.
BY JOEL AUSTIN

CHAPTER V.-THE WITCH OF GoLp1Ea GORGE
"Annie, what say you of visit to the ia.
nous Witch, in her kennel up there at the
Gorge?"
"Only this, Eddy: I'm not AFRAID to go; but
Ma, you know, is one of the Old School people,
and really believe, much as she loves me, il
she thought | had consulted the fortune-teller
at Golding Gorge, she would conceit was be-
witched by her. and refuse me the shelter Of
our roof forever after, through very fear. In
deed, though, I've the greatest curiosity to SEE
her, and hear what she would say"
| All this curiosity" is dangerous thint
with the female sex; and whatever woman
has curiosity to see or know, that she is bount
| to know in the end. Berry, therefore, did no
find it very hard to persuade her to go; pro
missing that he would satisfy her ma, and pro-
testing that his object was to explode this hum
bug, and make the old bedam dissolve her pre-
tended league with the devil.
"Pl bet you q kiss, ANNIE" he said play
fully, "she shall sup with US under the great
sycamore tree, as certain as | shall see her
and that, too, to old Johns appropriate music
on the bugle."
In few minutes they reached the foot Of
the Gorge, and Annie remained timidly behind
while Berry knocked resolutely at the close.
shut door, which he found after some difficulty
No reply came, and nothing indicated that the
sound was needed within. Clouds had beer
quietly gathering for some time, and the rain
now began to descend in downright earnest
Annies gala-dress was threatened with total
destruction and as for Berry, he felt far from
easy concerning his Annie, bis beaver, and his
broadcloth. He redoubled his summons at the
door; but the torrent roared so deafeningly
without, and the claps Of thunder were 30 loud
and frequent-for the tempest was raging now
in all its fury-that no other earthly sound
seemed as though it might reach the inmate.
"Shelter yourself as well as you can, dear
Annie," screamed Edwin, in an interval of the
storm, "and I'll Wy to beat down the door
I'll hare to do It'll" He gathered up massive
rock of slate-stone, as he spoke, and hurled il
with surprising effort against the door; but il
was barricaded within, and resisted the assault,
not budging an inch, when the missile re-
bounded from it and fell heavily to the ground.
He was preparing to repeat the attack, and
another great rock was actually poised above
his head for that purpose, when the door was
suddenly opened from the inside about an inch,
and n shrill, unnatural voice, distinct above al
the elemental confusion, called out
"Stop Who are you, and what do you
want?"
Let us in, good woman, for the love Of
Heaven" replied Berry; eve are travellers
from Moorfeld Hamlet young lady and
myself-and are drenched in this internal rain
Admit us, and / will reward you we'll You
need not be afraid Of u.s." he added-observing
her evident reluctance to open the door any
| further" you need not be afraid, we will not
harm you"
81 ain't afeard |" replied the unearthly voice
"let me see you first, fur its been long timt
sence Dame Goldzon's trusted mankind, an
maybe you lie to me!'