Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-08-26
WORSE DEVILS THAN THE
DIVIL.

The Devil was one day sitting on
stone, on the side of a solitary country
road, and he appeared to be in some
great trouble. His head rested on his
hand, his eyes were fixed on the ground
before him, and his face was very sad;
in short, he really seemed to be in sore
distress.
Along the road comes Old Mag, the
ortune-teller, and (as everybody called
her and feared her as such) the country
witch. "Halloo, master! You are very
sad to-day. What's the matter?"
"I guess have reason to be sac"
answered the Devil working SO
hard, and vet gaining nothing"
"How is thatp" asked Mag.
'.Do you know that old couple over
yonderp" and the Devil pointed to a
lonely farmhouse out piece from the
road.
1.-THE old man and woman over there?
Certainly know them."
"A nice, peaceable old couple, ehP"
grinned the Devil sadly.
''Oho! that's what worries you,"
laughed the fortune-teller. "a very
nice, peaceable old couple, that won't
let you get between them. Is that itp"
That's it, exactly! Ihave been work.
ing very hard for all the years they are
living together (and it is now about
forty) to sow discord between them, but
all in vain. They live on quietly in
spite of me. don't like to give up the
project after having gone to so much
trouble about it; and yet / almost des-
pair Of ever gaining my point, "
"What will you give me if / do for you
what you cannot do?" asked Mag in her
own taunting way.
"You bring discord between that good
old coupled"
"Yes, l."
"How long will it take you to do it,
do you thinkP"
30, day or two"
'You do i'm so short time what |
could not do in all these forty yearsP"
"Yes," laughed the old sinner, ito
show the Devil that there are persons on
this world smarter than himself"
IF you can bring about what you
say, / will make you present of pair
of new Shoes"
"Agreedr' said the old witch. "This
is Thursday. Meet me here again next
Saturday noon and will get the shoes.
Be sure to bring them along" With
these words Old Mag hobbled away,
studying how she could best fulfill the
Devils errand.
The next morning, Friday, she went
to the farmhouse ''to try her LUCK" as
she said. 1t was just as she wished.
She found the old lady alone peeling
potatoes for dinner. while her husband
was out in the field digging stumps.
Mag bade her good-day and then began:
Il am Old Mag, the country fortune
teller. Maybe you would like to have
your fortune toldP"
Il have nothing to do with fortune
tellers.s Clear this house Immediately"
and the woman motioned to show Mag
her way off.
"Just as expected" F." said Mag. "Be-
cause / am fortune-teller / dare not be
listened to, but must be driven from the
house. Couldn't / foresee that YOU
would treat me thus? If you will not
hear me, then bear the consequences,
thus saying she turned to leave the
house.
''Well, what have you got to sayp"
asked the woman, calling her back.
Nothing, if you don't like itr' re-
piled Mag, in sharp tone. 'How-
ever" she continued, softening her
voice, II didn't come to get angry,
though l knew well enough that would
be thus treated. l came to tell you the
truth, whether you like it or not!'
''Well, what is itp''
''There are great trials and troubles
awaiting you. All l can say, they will
come soon; your husband brings them,
and there is only. one way of turning
them off.
What wayT' asked tho woman rather
anxiously.
at is somewhat odd way, and you
may not believe in it," continued Mag.
''When your husband is sound asleep,
you must take his razor and cut hair
away here from his throat" and the
witch pointed to her own throat to show
the woman the place.
IF it won't do any good. it will at
least do no harm to try it." thought the
old lady.
"Just as you think" answered Mag.
''But the sooner you do it, the better
She turned again to leave the house,
when the woman called after her, ask
ing whether there were no charges.
mo, ma am, l take nothing for this.
May God preserve you from harm!'
As the old witch passed through the
gate she said to herself with chuckle:
$50 far my bargain is all right Now
for the old man.
She took roundabout way, SO as
not to be suspected. 'Sir, came this
way Of a purpose" thus Mag accosted
him, ito warn you of danger that is
threatening you.
"Who are youP" asked the man abb
ruptly.
Il am Old Mag, the country fortune
teller"
Il have no business with you. Go
your way and let me in peace" and the
man turned away from her to take up
his work.
II did not come here to tell you your
fortune" persisted Mag, ''but to warn
you against certain danger"
"Get out O. this! I'll not hear another
word"
.'Wcll, then, be murdered, for aught
care" said Mag, turning abruptly to
walk away.
.Murdercdp Who talks about mur-
Aerp''