The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-06-06
The Old Hag.
VI. +. STONE.

| can remember, ever since | WAS u
very little gin, hearing the people of my
native VI. lage make this remark when
anything happened out of the usual
order, As queer is the old hagw 1t
puzzled me at first, but soon solved the
meaning.
The schoIl-hpuse stood quarter OF a
mile outside our little village, aud the
first time my youthful feet wendell their
way toward it, was enlightened by my
sister Alice and another girl who were
leading me.
You must be a good girl, to-day,
Meta, said Alice, and not whisper, or
the old bag will get you to night. See"
(and she pointed to log hut in the mid
die of field, that's where she lives"
"Yes, that she will exclaimed the
other girl: "sle's witch, and once
turned little girl, who was naughty in
school, into great big stone, folks say.
Jim Greasy, he's seen it with his own
eyes, says she keeps it for Il doorstep. -"
| was very much alarmed at this ha-
rangue. ana scarcely breathed loud
word during the whole day. And for
months afterwards. if | had committed
the slightest misdemean0r in school, |
would run with all my might past the
old log hat, On my way home at night
But, u, the years rolled by, | gradually
lost all faith in the witch story, and be
came possessed with the desire to behold
this human being. SO Isolated from the
world, upon whom mankind had be-
slowed the hideous appellation of "old
bag.
had often had stray glimpses Of
bent figure, hlbbliug around the hut
Twas rare, indeed, that ,he ever ventured
beyond her domain, which was inclosed
by an OH tumbie-down rail fence, while
l dared risk no nearer approach, not rel
ishing the idea of being turned into
perhaps hearthstone for. an old witch TO
boil her porridge kettle on.
have remarked that. as the years
rolled by, my fears subsidized, while my
curiosity increased. And one bright
Saturday afternoon | started out with
secret determination, live or die"
would make heroic attempt to ret a
nearer view Of the "o.d hag," before the
day was done.
! took the path through the woods.
ana after "a short walk found myself
L
range with the hut. which stood about
forty rods distant in the field. Here
stopped and INDUCED in .everal sweep
ing surveys of the landscape, 10 discern
if the coast was clear. No one being in
sight, boldly struck OUT and by making
swift transits TO friendly pberry bushes
which grew at intervals all along, | felt
toleraby certain had not been observed.
Yet it was with shaky feeling around
nv heart that | crept into the shadow of
clump Of elders and peered through the
rails
Nv perseverance was not to 20 unre-
warded. for soon the door opened, al nd
she appeared on the threshold. Oh, what
sight % my dying day | shall never
forget my first look at her. \ poor,
bent figure, carrying great burden on
her back, as if the burden of life were
not enough. One shoulder being higher
than the other gave her queer, one
sided look, as if just ready to totter over.
Her long gray hair hung in struggling
locks around the pale, haggard face,
which was furrowed and scanned with
the marks of age or sorrow. On her left
temple Just above the eye, as if to
brighten the wierd effect, was plainly
marked a fiery red cross. | can remem-
Der this thought dimly presenting itself
TO nv childish imagination WAS it not
. symbol of her lifel"
She glanced sharply around her as if
in search of some one. | drew back
deeper into the shadows in momentary
fear of her keen vision penetrating
through the thick bushes, to my hiding
Mace. was certain she had discovered
nv approach and had come out for the
axnrass nnrnose of searching for me.