Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-02-09
WitchCraft.
A TALE OF NEW ENGLAND.

A TALE OF NEW ENGLAND.
Many years ago, when almost every
person in New England was believer in
that nonsensical bubble, witchcraft-
when old women, if they chance to be ill.
favored, we're sure of ducking in some
convenient horse pond, some serious
scenes were enacted, and some that very
much favored the ludicrous.
In the old town of Woodstock town al
the time famous for witches, there lived q
sturdy old farmer by the name of Abijab
Lyon. He was called Deacon Lyon, for
he was a deacon of the Presbyterian
Church. The minister was Rev. Mr.
Styles, and, as Mr.. Styles is destined tc
take prominent part in my story,
might as we'll describe him before 1 pro-
coed any further. He was little dried
up, weazen-faced old gentleman of seventy
who carried about the enormous weight
of rs pounds. 1t was said that in his
Younger days he had weighed 100 pounds
Mr.. Styles was great witch.hunter, and
terror to all the fraternity who dealt in
that business. He had often been called
ont of his bed, after the dead hour of mid.
night, to lay the devil, and up TO the time
of my story had always been successful
He wore a great gown or a cloak on his
nightly excursions, and when thus clad
be looked formidable.
We are now to 60 back to Deacon Lyon.
He was sturdy old farmer who stood 81
feet in his boots, and owned the best farm
in the town. The Deacon had family
Of six stalwart boys and several blooming
daughters. The day before Thanksgiving
came round THAT old time honored festi-
val of New England, and the greatest
holiday in that region, when every farmer
expected all his relations to dine with him
Town to the fortieth cousin, Deacon Lyon
aid to his boys, Work with a will, ge,
Ill the garden stuff into the cellar, and
we will all go as soon as it is done to your
1randfather's, and tomorrow, after din,
Ter, we will come home, and you may
nave party in the parlor, and invite all
the young folks in the place.
The boys worked right smart, and long
,efore night the cellar was well filled
With garden vegetables, and the family Cd
heir way to see the Deacon's father, who
lived about four miles off. But IN their
nurry they forgot to shut the outside
cellar door, called the hatchway. Now
he Deacon had big old black sheep
hat bad nearly bushel of horns on
his head, and he went around the prem.
Uses where he had mind to go. He was
ross, aud if any one made motion, lik.
challenge, he would butt them over. H.
found the open door and walked in with
tut knocking, and RECALLED himself on the
good things stored there. A neighboI
passing by shut the door, and shut in the
old sheep. / suppose all know that D
u,aoh eh1rp'e eyas in the dark look Iiba
balls of fire, and magnify to twice their
ordinary size. The Deacon and hi
family arrived safe home before night.
and the old parlor long before dark wa
all fitted for the coming party.
At an early hour the young folks as
sembled. The kitchen door was left partly
open, in order that the Deacon's Wit.
could peep in now and then, and see thai
all the plays were conducted with pro
priety. The fun grew fast and furiout
till about eight o'clock, when the De ,cor.
told his son Abiiah, his Oldest and name
sake, to go down cellar and get some ap'
Piles and cider. The young lad started
IN his mission, but came back in grea'
haste, every hair on his head standing
erect.
what is the matter :" asked the
Deacon.
"Oh, father, the devil is in the cellar
Oh, such eyes and such horns!"
"Give me the pitcher" said the old
Deacon 'yoa always were coward"
The old Deacon was brave. He started
down stairs, but not to the bottom did b.
get before he was on the road back, max
ing hasty strides for the old kitchen.
sit is true, my young friends, the devil
has at last come to make Deacon Lyon q
visit Abijah, go after Mr.. Styles as fast
"a you can run"
The young man obeyed. Mr.. Styles was
up, and soon ready to go to the Deacon's ;
and that he might appear formidable, b.
put on the great cloak that the ladies HAD
given their beloved minister. When Mr.
Styles arrived at the house of the Deacon,
The first thing proposed was season o.
prayer. Very proper was that, for tn.
devil is afraid of a praying man, so have
,lways been taught. When time of de-
Votion was through. tho little priest, with
his prayer book under his arm, started for
she cellar. Close behind him marched
the Deacon and his sturdy sons, while the
ear was brought up by the weaker and
.ess resolute part of the party.
On descending the stairs, a fearful sight
met their view; an awful pair of blood
red eyes glared on the priest and his fol-
lowers, and from the tremendous size OF
his horns he could not be young devil,
but Lucifer himself, who is supposed to
be the king of the Internal regions It
was a moment of awful uncertainty; had
the little priest power to lay him, or
would the devil rush upon him and tear
him to pieces in a moment?
When the broad stairs at the bottom
was reached, the priest raised his right
arm, and, in a voice husky with fear.
cried, "Avoid Satan! !" The monster
came at him, knocked him heels over
head, and with his horns entangled in the
priests great gown, carried him back with
him into the cellar. With one look of in
tense anguish cast on his followers, he
cried, Brethren, take care of yourselves.
the devil has got me.
Such getting up stairs az then took
place was caution to old people. The
deacon seized the poker, and went again
into the cellar, determined to rescue the
priest or perish in the attempt. The
priest had tainted and lay fat on his
back on the ground. The deaaon's old
buck stood contemplating with apparent
his fallen enemy, wondering
what he was.
This was the last case of witchcraft in
the town of Woodstock. Mr.. Styles was
for his valor, and lived many
years after. loved and respected by all bis
ANEcDoTE.-A widow, who appealed |
% the spirit Of her departed husband to