Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-10-14
NUMBER Al.

since. It is me, therefore, that it behoves
to bring peace to her spirit; and this very
night I was. about to undertake the fearful
task Of consulting the witch"
Then let us both go, ':said John, eagerly.
'tNot so; am better acquainted with her
nature than you, for, I have had recourse to
her more than once, and know, we'll the form
in which she should be addressed D.
But" rejoined Trevanion hesitating,
they say she has made compact with the
evil one; l thought not of that in my haste;
aud if so, can we apply to her?s No, let us
rather seek the good priest; it is to him We
should unbosom ourselves" N s-.,;E',
But Mr.. Mordaunt was perenlptory a.
gainst this proposal. II will not" he said
become the village talk, or have poor Ma
ry's name, now half-forgotten, again bandit
ed about from mouth to mouth; 50 urge me
no farther, John, but leave father to ia
theirs duty, and do you meet me here again
at midnight. when will acquaint you with
the result of my interview, with the wise wo-
man :" .t4
With some reluctance Trevanion acceded
to Mr.. Mordaunt's proposal, and made his
way back to the Hall, shaking all over with
fever of agitation and curiosity. ]. AT mid
night. however. after his father and the
other members Of the household had retired
to rest, he returned to the cottage, where he
found the old gentleman awaiting his arri-
val. lie WAS in evident excitement, and
kept muttering to himself, :s'well, it must
be so, what's fated, cannot but come to pass
and if ever the finger of destiny was visible
any where, it is in this case" So soon as
he recognized John, he motioned him to q
scat, and then going into the garden to see
that no one was within hearing, be cautious
ly closed the door, and laying his hand on
the young mans arm, while be looked him
anxiously in the face, he said, shave you
courage to hear what I shall communicate ?
If not, say 50, and my lips shall be sealed"
81 fear nothing, sir; so say on. I am
prepared to hear, and brave the worst"
well, then" resumed Mr.. Mordaunt,
II sought the witch, but she was aware of
my visit ere my foot was within a. hundred
PAGES Of her cell. She knew my errand too;
the spirit Of my child, she said, was i'll at
rest, but her disquet was not without reme-
dy, though that remedy could be revealed
only by herself"
''By herself? I understand you not"
"And better perhaps than you should
never understand ne. for that which have
to say, is that which shall CONCEAL your
blood to ice. John, l fear, your weakness,
and will add no more
'.'Speak on, sir; in Gods name speak on.
| tell you, father ofmy frst-my only love,
that to procure rest for her pure spirit, who
would have braved even death for me, I
would make sacrifices a thousand times
greater than any you can exact. Whom
should | fear? What should | fear? Alas
fear and hope are alike over with me; so
speak on, Mr.. Mordaunt, conjure you.''
!, Then [ will speak, john" exclaimed
the old gentleman with animation. !. 'Mary
as you know, rests net in qonso Grated ground
no prayer has been offered up above her
grave; and such being the case, her vexed
spirit yet walks the earth, and over such,
she have seen Tonight has power"
Trevanion here turned deadly pale.
Il feared So" said Mr. Mordaunt, 81
feared your nerves would shake"
Proceed, | entreat You,ssir"s
"Well, that mysterious power which the
wise woman possesses, she is willing to ex-
ert, and as the cause is a just and holy one.
have accepted her mediation, See here"
he added, drawing forth small yew branch
this was given me by thswitch herself; it
is charming instrument Of wonderous pc
tency, and at certain seasons and in cases
like the present, has the power of compell-
ing the grave to surrender up its dead 81
Take it, John, for alas, not by. me may the
trial of its efficacy be made. IN the hands
of age and dstrust it has no virtue. It is
youth, hope, and enthusiasm that must work
miracles with it; 50 said the witch: but am
past these;if therefore the trial be made.
tbs you must make it.' ts q A+
'''But, enquired Trevanion in hesita-
ting accent, sis it not SHINING in the eve
OF Heaven, to accept the mediation of such
malighn spirit 2"
"Young man. replied Mr.. Mordaunt,
eve but act in ttiis pursuant to the scheme
Of Providence, as exempli6ed in creation -
Do we not see the atmosphere purified by
the dark agency cloud and storm: and tho
lanquid powers of nature revived by the ac-
ton OF earthquake and volcano? Be assu-
ASNj WY We uCCu uUt UG ulSJuTDeO on
this score, as in a few brief hours you yonr-
self will be the first t acknowledge
II am convinced" replied Trevanion,
and was about to declare his instant readi-
ness to make the trial, when Mr.. Mordaunt
Interrupted him be saying, ''nay, but near
me ont, John; for this instrument to be eff
fective, it is imperative that you be con-
scious IN your own heart of the most un-
bounded DEVOTION to the memory of Mary.
Have you this consciousness Is the de-
parted as dear to your thoughts-liuked as
closely with your feelings, as was the liv-
ing? Is her memory holy and august
shrine, at which daily and nightly your
heart does reverence? And oh, John when
you shall see her stand at midnight before
you; when the dead shall confront the iiv-
ing; and none be by to re-assure your fut4
tered spirits; you then, out of your
perfect love for her whose loss you deDiore,
dare to address her and firmly abide her re-.
plyw
= That some witches were believed to b ave 4ha
power here attributed to then.-and this NOT ma
ly by the ignorant vulgar, but nv MANY Of tbet
more enlightened class in which nv hero ~ ~
Supposed to have moved, is evident from one of IA