The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-09-29
TIE VO0DOO WOMAN.
GROOMING, IN HER CABIN, STRANGE,
uNCANNY TUNE.

Tho Mere Anatomy of Woman,
Nearly 100 Years Old-A Young Negro
Who imagines He Has Been "Con-
tured"-Fec and Prescription.
A mile to the left of the plantation little
stream runs laz;ly through the woods. The
water is black and llninvitins, tho whoo
place noisomc and damp. On tho brink OF
this branch 4 little hut is pcrcEctl, dilapi-
dated log structure, with mud and stick chin
ncy broken Off two feet below the level OF
the roof. This is the mansion of Aunt Polly;
the vootioo woman. AS late us it is, there is
smoke coming out of the chimney, and eager
p,ifs Of mir make weird music among the
rctting shingles
Whatever cooking is being done the aroma
is not very savory, but like the curious COM
mingling Of ward caucus and an emiSrant
cfr
A light wood fire is s1noldering in tho open
fireplace. Over it hangs n sooty, greasy kct-
Tie. The perfume comes from that. Crouch
ing over it is Aunt Polly, grooming to herself
strange, uncanly tune. She is nearly orqulte
1G0 years old, the mere anatomy o. woman,
bat her large, dccp-set eyes glare with tho
lurid fires Of malevoGncc. HCr skinny hands
aic clutchcd about hcc knees Us she rocks her-
self to and fro, or peers into the rank decoc-
ton she is cooking. She has but one tooth, q
long fang that protrudcs over an inch out of
lr,r mouth, and her struggling wool is long
and very white. In a pan by her side arc
herbs and roots, part of a snake and rabbits
heal
Coming along the path leading TO the cabin
is shufling, trembling figure. Awc-stluck
and vet rcsolute, it halts about fifty feet away,
strikes match and looks at its large brass
watch. 1t is 4 young negro from the plaiita-
ton, who imaginrs tEa5 ha has been con-
iured. The hands on his wat:h point to
T:30, which assures him that it is now mid
night, tic time appointed for him to meet the
vooioo.
THREE DOLLARS WORTH.
He strides bravely forward and knocks at
the door.
'ComG in"
y he cntcrsa large gray owl sraps vicious
:. him from perch above the door.
,uat Polly glances at him savagcly, then
i: sinc-song way commences:
Done kunju'd Done kunjud! Dcy oil
come to Aunt polJyl Aunt Polly kin kill!
Aunt Polly kin sabc! Kunju'd, an he gal
pizoncd crgin him" and she gives long,
cacklng laugh.
"Has yer got tree rlolla's, honey"
The young man gives it to her, she clutches
it in her dirty claw-ike hands, and hobblinS
to little cupboard, she takes out a rabbit
foot and two bottles, ono much smaller than
the other, both filled with black, thiciish
liquid. Handing them to him, she says:
@TIoncy. take de slna' bottle and berry Init
right in do pair oh do ngger what kunjah
You. When l.c break it, den lie kunjah gone.
You drink half outen dc big bottle an glib
half to d. gal unbclnowIst to her. Keep de
rabbit foot in yer pocket twcll der spell am
o!ren you, den bi,'u hit an frow lie ashes aa'n
lie do oh dc gals bedroom. OATS gwncicr
make her NIB you mo- an you Gwinc merry
her fo dc year out Aunt Polly, she kin kill!
she kin sabc! Dey all come to Aunt Polly
now go long"
The young man waits for no second bid
ding, but is of like the winss happy and en-
ultant. nt.-Hamilton Jay i'll Inc Detroit Free
Press.