Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1871-02-23
Witchcraft in Woodstock.
A TALE OF NEW ENGLAND.

= Many years ago, when almost ever
6 person in New England was believe
II IN that nonSensical bubble, witchcraft-
when old women, if they chance to b
lll-iavored, were sure ola ducking in som
h convenient horse pond, some seriou
e scenes were enacted, and some that yer,
much favored the ludcrous.
- In the old town of Woodstock, lowr
Y at the time famous for witches, there
lived a sturdy old farmer by the name
of AbUah Lyon He was called Deacon
Lyon, for he was a deacon of the Pres
byeriaa Church. The minister was
Rev. Mr. Styles, aud, as Mr. Styles is
destined to take prominent part in my
story, might as we'll describe him be.
fore proceed any further He was a
little dried up, weazen-facad old gcnllc-
man Of seventy who carried about the
enormous weight of Is pounds, 1t was
said that in his younger days he had
weighed l20 pounds Mr.. Styles was Il
great witch-huntcr, and II terror to all
the fraternity who dealt in that business.
He had often been called out of his bed,
after the dead hour of midnight, to lay
the devil, and up to the time Of my
story had always been successful. He
wore great gown or cloak on his
nightly excursions, aud when thus clad
he looked formidable.
We will now 60 back TO Deacon Lyon
He was sturdy old farmer who stood
GA 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 cam. round Chat old
time-honorcd festival of New Eugland,
and the greatest holiday in that region,
when every farmer expected all his re-
latious TO dine with him down to the
fortieth cousin), Deacon Lyon said 10
his boys, "Work with will, get all the
garden stuff into the cellar, and we will
all 60 as soon as it is done to your
grcndtather and Tomorrow, after din
ner, we will come home, and you may
have party in the parlor, and invite all
the young folks in the place.
The boys worked right smart, and
long before night the cellar was well
filled with garden Vegetables, aud the
family on their way to see the Deacon's
father, who lived about four miles off,
But in their hurry they forgot to shut
the outside cellar door, called the hatch.
way. Now the Deacon d big old
black sheep that had nearly a bushel of
horns on his head and he went around
the premises where he had mind to
go. lie was cross, and if any one made
a motion, like a challenge, he would
butt them over. He found the open
door and walked in without knocking,
and RECALLED himself on the good things
stored there. A ncighbor passing by
shut the door, and shut in the old sheep.
| suppose all know that black sleeps
eyes in the dark look like balls of fire,
and magnify to twice their ordinary
size. The Deacon and his family ar,
rived safe home before night, and the old
parlor long before dark was all fitted
for the coming party.
AT an early hour the young folks as
The kitchen door was left
partly open, in order that the Deacon's
wife could peep in now and then, and
see that all the plays were conducted
with propriety. The fun grew fast and
furious till about eight o'clock, when
the Deacon told his son Abijah, his
oldest and name-sake, TO 60 down cel-
lar and get some apples and cider. The
young lad started on his mission, but
came back iu great haste, ever hair on
his head standing erect.
What is the matter" asked the Dea. !
con.
'Oh, father, the devil is in the cellar,
Oh, such eyes and such horns !
Give me the pitcher said the old
Deacon you always were coward.
The old Deacon was brave. He
started down stairs, but not to the bot
ON did he get before he was on the
'oad back, making hasty strides for the
Did kitchen
1t is true, my young friends the dev-
| has at last come to make Deacon Ly-
IN a visit. Abijah, go after Mr.. Styles
Is fast as you can rum S
The young man obeyed. Mr., Styles I
vas up, and soon ready to go to the c
Oeacon's and that he might appear for /
he put on the great cloak that i