The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-01-02
The Old Hag.
NJ. Il. STONE.

can remember, ever since | was a
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 hag" 1t
puzzled me ut first. but soon solved the
meaning.
The school house stood quarter of a
mile outside our little village, and 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. land 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"
Eyes, that she wilI'' exclaimed the
other girl: "she's witch, and once
turned little girl, who was naughty in
school. into a great big stone, folks say.
Jim Greasy, he's seen it with his own
eyes, says she keeps it for door STEP"
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, i 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.
l had often had stray glimpses of
bent figure, hoLbling around the hut.
Twas rare, indeed, that she ever ventured
beyond her domain, which was inclosed
by an old tumble-down rail fence, while
dared risk no nearer approach, not rel
iehing 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" I
would make heroic attempt to get q
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 Ieafy covert, in exact
range with the hut, which stood about
forty rods distant in the field. Here l
stopped and INDUCED in several sweep
ing surveys of the landscape, to discern
If the coast was clear. No one being in
eight boldly struck out and by making
swift transits to friendly raspberry bushes,
which grew at intervals all along, I felt
tolerably certain had not been observed.
Yet it was with shaky feeling around
ny heart that crept into the shadow Of
. clump Of elders and peered through the
rails.
Ny perseverance was not to 60 unre-
warded, for soon the door opened, and
che appeared on the threshold. oh, what
sight TO my dying day l shall never
8ceSct my 6rSt look At her. A poor,
hoot squire, carrying great burden on
~ baek, - if the burden of life were
ri enough. One shoulder being higher
thaa he other gave her queer, one
~ look, - If just ready 70 tottsr Over.
~ log gay hair hung in Struggling
losln eFound The pale, haggard 1aes,
vhsoh ~ fusroWed and ssa0sd With
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