, 1878-05-17
The Old Hag.
VI. L. STONE.

| can remember, ever since WAS Il
very little girl, hearing the people Of my
native village make this remark (when
anything happened out of the usual
order, "As queer as the old hagm 1t
puzzled NE at first, but soon solved the
meaning.
The scho)l-house stood a quarter of
mile outside our little village, and the
first time my youthful feet wended their
way toward it, was enlightened by my
sister Alice and another girl who were
leading me-
"You must be good girl, to-day,
Meta" said Alice, "and not whisper, or
the old hag will get you to night. See,"
land she pointed to log hut in the mid
die of field, "that's where she lives"
"Yes, that she willm exclaimed the
other girl: "she's witch, and once
turned little girl, who was naughty in
school, into great big stone, folks say.
jim Cressy, he's seen it with his own
eyes, says she keeps it for doorstep"
was very much alarmed at this ha-
rangue, and scarcely breathed a loud
word during the whole day. And for
months afterwards. if l had committed
the slightest misdemeanor in school,
would run with all my might past the
old log hut, on my way home at night
But, as the years rolled by, L 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
hag.
l had often had stray glimpses of
bent figure, hobbling around the hut.
Twas rare, indeed, that she ever ventured
beyond her domain, which was inclosed
by an old tumble-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 subsided, while my
curiosity increased. And one bright
Saturday afternoon started out with
secret determination, "live or die" |
would make heroic attempt to get
nearer view of the "old hag," before the
day was done.
took the path through the woods
and after short walk found myself
emerging from the leafy covert, in exact
range with the hut, which stood about
forty rods distant in the field. Here
stopped and INDUCED in several sweep
ing surveys of the landscape, to discern
if the coast was clear. No one being in
sight, l boldly struck out and by making
swift transits to friendly raspberry bushes,
which grew at intervals all along, felt
tolerably certain l had not been observed.
Yet it was with shaky feeling around
ny heart that | crept into the shadow of
a clump Of elders and peered through the
rails.
My perseverance was not to 90 unre-
warded, for soon the door opened, and
she appeared on the threshold. oh, what
sight! to my dying day shall never
forget my first look at her. A 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 fiery red cross. can remem-
Der this thought dimly presenting itself
TO my childish imagination: "Was it not
a symbol of her lifeln
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.
place. | was certain she had discovered
my approach and had come out for the
express purpose of searching for me.