Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-02-14
Galfs and Skfifbes.
WITCH HAZEL.

runs frothing amid ragged rocks. and lies
slarkling in sullen pools shaded by dense
and tangled vegetation. 1t joins the Con-
nccticut by leaping riotously down stair
case formed Of jagged crags and the ruins
Of broken dam. forming striking con-
trast to the lake-like expanse Of the noble
river in which it quiets its troubled 81 irit.
Life on the borders Of Miller's River
fifty years ago found its prototype in the
saving character Of nature about it. Tragic
histories are told of families who for gen.
GRAFTON after generation never wanted a
suicide. Religion was replaced BY super
stition: the vices of mankind grew lush
and rank, and even woman's nature was
warped and deformed By its demoralizing
environment Long after the belief in
witchcraft had been stamped out OF Bos-
ton and Salem. baletul after growth
sprang up and fourished here, and though
there were no executions for witchcraft.
there was gross credulty and infituation.
ostracism and persecution. Riding one
day through this tract Of country, and
emerging from dense and dreary wood
OF buiternut and pine. we found ourselves
in little clearing still more desolate than
the gloomy forest A desertedhouse stood
before us. backed by the angry river; a
little orchard Of neglected crab-apples.
grown into thicket with hedgerows OF
tangled barberries thanked its further side.
and blasted elm ielled by lightning, and
partly stripped by the woodculter barred
the front gateway. The house itself pre-
sented most forbidding aspect. Its cur
tainless windows were riddled as by the
firing Of the sharp-shooters. Some were
boarded up, few stuffed with parti-
colored rags; hardly pane was left I'M
broken. Originally the front of the house
had been economically ornamented with
yellow paint, hut the weather had rcmov-
ed nearly tn: last vestige of color, and re-
duced the whole to a uniform and melan-
choly gray. Ny companion, more familiar
with the region than myself eyed me
curiously as we approached. to notice
what impression the scene would make
upon me. Involuntarily touched her
arm, and exclaimed, "A real haunted
housei'
She laughed lightly. The old people
about here declare that it is haunted. My
aunt could tell you many strange story
about it. | remember when | was a child
how she would make the cold shivers
creep along my spine by her story of
Witch Hazel, the old woman who lived
here"
"Would she tell me ?" | asked
81 don't know we can ask her at least
She used to teach school here when girl. :"
And my friend pointed to chimney which
rose from a dense mass of bushes, a sol
itary monument to the fact that house
had once occupied the spot. THAT was
the schoolhouse and she boarded at that
farmhouse opposite. where my grand
mother lived it is the only house betwe en-
the Hazels' and Durkee's tavern. AT the
junction of Miler's River with the Con
Decticut. 1t was lonely spot for young
girl to live in She must have been glad
and thankful enough when my grand
uncle married her and brought her away
to Mortified Farms"
Aunt Wealthy was an old lady of mar
vellous activity and keenness her hair
under her widows cap was white rs snow,
but her eyes were black and piercing
Her form was thin to emaciation. but her
health was good. and her mind unimEaired
by age. She wore black silk dress.
shiny and limp, and unadorned with
modern ornament of jet or pleating, but il
was Enthusiastically black silk. and a slen-
der gold chain held her husbands heavy
stuffed. high-backed rocking chair. rock
ing swiftly back and forward. knitting in
terminable garters and singing. as we APP
preached. in a high cracked voice. a hymn
which argued little for her admiration of
manhood:
False the men OF high degree
The baser sort of vanity.
Laid In the balance, both appear
Light rs a pun of empty air"
you don't seem to have high opinion
Of men. Aunt Wealthy" remarked
That's because I've had experience.
child" she replied.
Uncle Gershsm was gentleman. ~
said my friend. twas he false. Aunt
Wealthy e''
1--we no tales to tell against Gershom.
now that he's dead" said Aunt Wealthy.
placing her lips firmly together. and hum
ming the tune with much expression.
"Aunt Wealthy" said nv friend. coax
ingly. 1--WE want you to tell us some
stories about the witches"
1.-The witches ?''
"Yes, old Witch Hazel. whose husband
danced on her grave when she died"
"Your grandmother could tell you more
about her than can"
Eyes. but grandmother died ten years
ago"
1.-The Hazels were queer lot but then
| don't know rs any of them were really
witches. The people round used to think
so, and were mortaly afraid of them, es-
pecially of the old mother The old man
declared she was witch. said she sold
herself to the devil behind the barn. and
he knew when she did it. She was a
frightful looking old creature, and dressed
in rags from head to foot, carpet rags tied
around her feet and arms. and piece OF
old quilt about her body. Your grand
mother had an enormous dog-old Rex
they called him he was half bulldog and
half mastiff. There were lots of rough
characters rafting logs down the Connect
cut in those days. and putting up at the
Durkee's tavern; but we were never
afraid of any of them. for old Rex would
have torn them limb from limb If they had
offered to touch us. He used to so with
me to school. and lie on the doorstep
There were only half-dozen or so of
white-haired children that came: they
might tramp on Rex or sit on him. and he
never offered to hurt them. But let one of
those river-men stroll along the road. and
his blood was up. They generally finish
ed their walk and concluded to turn back
before thew reached the Sehool. bousa 7