Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1860-01-28

everything that had happened on the Brandy
wine during her absence. Thatthe being that
had captivated his heart under the appearance
vcritablc Peggy Drew. That she had betrayed
the fact to him previous to his swooning, and
that she had there expressed her determination
to haunt him until he had disposed of his pro-
perty, and she had received the proceeds.
Madame Jaques was rather strong minded
woman, and, although she could not account
for many of the strange things thatwere trans
piring, she was determined that the property
Of her deceased husband should not pass out
of the hands of her son by any foul means
While they were yet discoursing about family
matters the door-bell rang-in moment the
servant ushered into the room Miss Croasdalc
A look Of surprise was exchanged between the
mother and son, and the young lady took her
seat. 1t was some moments before either of
the party spoke at last Anna commenced;
any friends, pursuant to my promise, l come
to pay you visit. do not ilatter myself that
will be altogether welcome, nor do believe
that you would rather would not come Be.
that as it may, | am here and most probably,
not altogetherwithout motive. have come
| to talk with you about strange things that
may affect you more or less. But strange as
these things may appear, | want TO impress it
indelbly upon your mind that they are reli-
gously true. Doubtless you look upon me as
| you would upon an evil spirit, but my mission
| is holy one--I am not a demon of darkness,
but a demon of light. Can you divine the
diiference2 know that your son has formed
an erroneous opinion of me; that first he saw
and loved me. He saw me pure as an angel,
and my real character is purity But circum-
stances changed be has seen me as the Witch
of the Brandywine- character is also true.
Believe 1t to be q paradox, or what you may,
both these characters are mine.p
| Madame Jaques cashier eyes upon theyoung
lady, and to her surprise, there stood thin,
wrinkled visaged woman, with long, black, dis.
| hevelled hair. Her eyes were far set in her ca
daverous head and emitted an unearthly glare
Both the mother and son saw the transforma-
tion at the same time, and both seemed horror
stricken. They gazed ut the apparition for n
moment; she stood like statue in the middle
Of the floor and moved not muscle, While
yet they gazed the Witch drew her veil over
\ her face and then removed it. There stood the
beautiful Miss Crossdale with cheeks as rosy as
the morning. The change hadbeen SO sudden
| and complete that they both uttered an excla-
nation of surprise. Miss Crossdale took aseat
and commenced discoursing as familiarly as ii
nothing had transpired.
"You seem little frightened at the trans
formation you have SEEM but could, in few
minutes, convince you that it could be account-
ed forratonally. But my businessis to convince
you of my power, and to show you the influence
that hold over the destnies of men"
Madame Jaques would have spoken, but
Miss Croasdale shook her finger at her and en-
joined silence.
aYou need not want any better evidence of
my power than the transformation you have
just seen. will now show you anything you
want to sce--whether it is among the living or
the dead What would you have !--let me
read your thoughts. The form of that young
mans father. You shall see him."
The Witch took hold of Madame Jaques and
her sons hands, and gazed ardently and long
into their eyes. She grasped their hands more
firmly, and then gazed into the eyes of the
old lady alone. She became fully fascinated.
The Witch moved backward across the room ;
the fascinated parties followed her. She moved
about from one place to another, and they fol-
lowed her as though she drew them by a yisi-
bic chord. Having convinced herself that she
had them fully under her control, she struck
the mother slight blow in the back and ex-
claimed
aBehold your husbandP
Madame Jaques placed both her hands to
her forehead, as if to realize the fact that she
still possessed her senses. She exclaimed
soTis he 'Tis he My long dead husband"
The young man gasped;
uMy father
The presiding spirit looked complacently
spon the picture before her. Madame Jaques
would have embraced her husband, but the
voice of the Witch warned her to forbear Af-
ter a short time voice said, "you are mis-
taken, this is not your husband but the Witch
of the Brandywine--Peggy Drew" The deiu-
sion passed away and things assumed their
accustomed appearance Madame Jaqueswould
have remained silent, but her son drew close
to her and with trembling voice asked her;
s1Mother do you doubt the power Of this
woman any longer2 DO you not think that
/ all have told you concerning her is true "
at is strange; passing strange, that she
a should do what she has shown us. ] can be.
lieye in her now. Before, l thought you were
insane, but now am convinced that something
! very marvellous exists in this strange being"
Turning to the Witch she continued
I 'swhat good is all this power to youf Dc
/ Won exercise IT for good or for evil?"
Ill @For good,p was the reply.
q "Then, why do you haunt my son; and VIII,
n are we honored with such performances as thi'
$ we have just seem"
d at was at your request and to convince yo'
Z of the power possess; notthat ! wish to show
}. off any peculiar gift of my own"
Madame Jacques felt strongly the weight o
Z the argument, and to draw public attention
! another way, they discoursod upon matters o
y ordinary occurrences for some time. In orde
y to satisfy her friends that she did not wan
e Augusta's gold merely for the sake of thu
g money, she told them that she would shov
e them more gold than they had ever seen at on
time before. They did not marvel in the least a