The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1884-04-18
SuperstitlOns OF Mount Etna.


In the farm house called La Scala, IN
the Plaza, the farmer found that the
rats had eaten all the inside of his
cheeses. leaving only the rind. He told
one of his labOrers Of this, saying no
must carry off his eheeses to Bronte.
This man, whose clothes also had been
gnawel, replied: Leave il to me; l
will see about it." He then sharpened
q nail 90 point, like n needle, and
then stuck it in the floor where the rats
passed, saying: May the rat which
gnawed my drawers fall on this and
kill himself. The farmer and he watched
until they saw the rats come and walk
past the nail unhurt. AT last one ran
upon it and was killed. From that
time no rat came near the place. This
man had the power of charming away
pain when horses. etc, were suffering
from colo Tie was refused dissolution
by the priest after confession and-not
allowed 90 receive the Sacrament.
There was also a ''MOnaci di Casa,
who lived in Linguaglossa, who had
these supernatural powers. She was
consulted by those who had been robbed.
After listening 10 their story she
thought for a few minutes, and
then told them where the stolen
goods were TO be found. One of tho
MANAGE men went 10 her when the driv-
inc belts of the engine were stolen. An
old robber who died in Bronte four years
ago at the age of one hundred and five
had the same reputation; and poor,
sick. scrofulous boy. bedridden for the
last twelve wears. is also one Of the
..white witch tribe lie knows the
name of and cure for all diseases. where
stolen things are hidden. where money
is to be found buried undor stones, and
the like. and he has predicted his own
death. which is to take place two years
from this date. When Peppe PaganO S
cottage was being built some human
bones were dug up. These were put in
n basket previous TO being reinterred,
and placed for the night in a corner OF
| the hut where the wOrkmen slept. They
| declared the next morning that they
| had been kept awake all the night by
/ the bones rafting and dancing in the
/ basket In August, 1881, during ter
rife storm of thunder, lightning. wind
and hail as large as pigeon eggs,
/ priest died at Bronte. He wal
[ an cNoLtuou-lN III di4d SCLA-4A
dulgent man, very rich. and with
a bad character. At the moment
when his corpse was carried into thu
church a young married woman, The
mother of three children, respected anC
esteemed by all who knew her, was re
ceiving the Sacrament. As she opened
her mouth the spirit of T., the priest
| been subject 10 fits of madness. in which
, passed into her. From that time she ha
She speaks and acts exactly as he did
her voice sounding like his She ha
confessed many Of his crimes among
others that he had been in the habit O
cheating the poor by giving unsigne'
! receipts, or writing down the wron.
amount when they intrusted corn -
| money TO him. An attempt was mad
| bv the priest 20 exercise the demOi
which had entered her. but he threat
ened To 90 into another young woma
if they did. so. thinking il As well c
circumscribe the area Of the devil nc
tivities, and wiser 10 put up with VIVA
they knew than 10 attempt unknoW
charms, they desistcd and left things q
they were. - Temple Bar.