Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1876-04-21

Whlcn ne deulollsned forthwith.
-
A Fals orNsw England VvItchcran
Many years ago, when almost ev.
cry person in New England was q
believer in that nonsensical bubble,
witcheraft-when old women, if they
chanced 20 be ill-favored, were sure
of q 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 a
town at that period famous for
witches, there lived a sturdy old
farmer by the name Of Abiiah 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
to take prominent part In the sto-
ry, | might as well describe him be-
fore | proceed any fnrther. He was
q little, dried up, weazen-faced old
gentleman of seventy, who carried
about the enormous weight of seven.
ty-fve pounds. 1t was said that in
his younger days he had weighed
one hundred and twenty pounds
Mr.. Styles was great witch hunter,
and terror to all the fraternity who
dealt in that business. He had often
been called out Of bed, after the dead
nour of midniS Sht, to lay the devil;
and up to the time of my story, had
always been successful. He wore a
great gown or cloak on his nightly
excursions, and when thus clad, be
looked formidable.
We are now to go back to Deacon
Lyon. He was sturdy old farmer.
who stood six and a half in his boots,
and owned the best farm in town.
The deacon had family of six stall
wart boys aud several blooming
daughters. The day before Thanks
givingzcame around-that old time
honored festival of New England,
and the greatest holiday in all that
region; when every farmer expected
all his relations to dine with him,
down to his fortieth COUSIN Deacon
Lyon said to his boys, 'sWork with
a willis get all the garden stuff into
the cellar, and we will all go as soon
as it is done to your grandfather's,
and tomorrow, after dinner, we will
come home, and you may have par
" in the psrl0r, 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, and
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 eel
lar door, called the hatchway. Now
the Deacon had a big old black
sheep, that had nearly a bushel of
horns on his head, and went round
the premises where he had a mind
to go. He was cross, and if any one
made a motion, like challenge, he
would but them over. He found the
open door, and walked in without
knocking, regaling himself on the
good things stored there. A. neigh.
Dor passing by, shut the door, and
shut in the old sheep. I suppose
all know that a black sleeps eyes
in the daak look like balls of FIRE,
and magnify to twice their ordinary
size. The Deacon and his family ar
riyec safe home before night, and
the old parlor long before dark was
fitted for the coming party.
At an early hour the young folks
assembled. The kitchen door wa:
left open, in order that the Deacon't
wife could peep in now and then
and see that all the plays were con.
Quoted with propriety. The fur
grew fast and furious till about {
o'clock, when the Deacon told his
son Abijah, bis Oldest and namesake,
to 90 down cellar and get some ap-
ples and cider. The young mar
started on his mission, but came
back in great haste, every hair or
his head standing erect
"What is the matter?" asked the
deacon.
.Oh, father, the devil is in the eel
lar. Oh, such eyes, and such horns!'
"Give me the pitcher" said thC
old deacon; "you always was a COW
ardp
The old deacon was brave. H'
started down stairs, but not to th'
bottom did he get before he was OF
the road back, making hasty strides
for the old kitchen.
"It is true, my yOnng friends, th,
devil has at last come to make Dea
con Lyon a visit. Abijah, go after
Mr.. Styles IS fast as you can run.
The young man obeyed. Mr.. Style
was up and soon ready to go TO tn,
deacon's; and that he might appea
formidably, he put on the grea
cloak that the ladies had given thei
beloved minister. When Mr. Style
arrived At the house, the first thin,
proposed vas q season of prayer
Very proper was that, for the devi
is afraid Of aIpraying man, so ! hav
always been taught. The littl
priest, with his pFayer-book unde
his arm, started for the cellar. Clos
behind him marched the deacon AM
his sturdy sons, while the rear wa
brought up by the weaker and les
resolHte part of the party. On de
scending the stairs, fearful sigh
met their views; an awful pair o
tblood-red eyes glared on the prizes
and his followers, and from the tre
medous size of his horns be conl
not have been 3 young devil, but Lu
cifer himself, who Is supposed to b
king of the internal regions. Il wa
moment Of awful uncertainty; ha
the little priest power to lay him, Q
would the devil rush upon him an
tear him in pieces in Q Inomentf-
When the broad stair at the bottoE
was reached, the. priest raised b
right arm, aid in q voice husky wit
fear, cried, HAvoid Satapl" tn
w6sss ss n kn, @dceed bA