Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-02-20
at least have an opportunity of becoming

whom he iiever saw before. Her hair was
white as snow, her face was sunken and
wrinkled, and her teeth were all gone with
the exception of one long, yellow tusk. As
she stood up in the canoe, with long
paddle in her hands, she was certainly a
repulsiye looking beipg.
Just at the place where she was attempt
ing to cross the river the current was very
streng, and the big rock visible only at low
water mark was but few feet below A
mistake of the paddle caused the canoe TO
strike the submerged rock, when, quick as
thought, the canoe careened and fioated
bottom upward down the stream, leaving
its occupant helpless in the water
Brom did not like the looks of the
strange being, but looks were of no account
with him when he found human life in
peril. He plunged into the stream. With
a few well directed efforts he seized he
old woman with his left hand and with a
few vigorous strokes with the right arm,
regained the bank with his burden more
frightened than injured.
She soon regained her self-composure
and walked away talking to herself,
Brave boy! Brave boy! Lucky boy, The
Witch OF the Mohawk will not forgetl'
Of course this adventure was uppernost
in Brom's mind for long time.
He like all other Mohawk Dutchmen was
superstitious. He believed in witches, fairies.
"spooks," COLLINS, and about everything
else that a cultivated Massachusetts Puri-
tan believed in when he was burning at
the stake poor innocent old women who
had never been guilty vi any greater
crime than that of producing baking of
sour bread
Brom had heard about the Witch of the
Mohawk long before he was sent TO Al
bany-heard the negro servants from va
rious families, as they sat around the fire.
place in the kitchen, talk about the mar
velous doings of the old witch But grad
ualiy bis adventure with the witch faded
from his mind.
Brom being a schoolmaster and a good
penman, and great favorite with the peo-
pie, had to do the writing for the whole
community; consequently he was not sur
prised at being summoned one evening to
attend the mansion of the venerable burgh-
er, Dockstader. Without the least idea OF
the nature of the call he at once set forth.
A brisk walk of few moments brought
him to the Dockstader mansion. Knock
ing at the door, he was ushered in by q
colored servant, and Immediately conducted
to the bedroom of the old burgher, whom
he found propped up in bed and very fee
BILE.
The old gentleman at once informed him
that he apprehended an early dissolution
and had therefore, sent for him to draw his
Will, and attend to its execution according
to law. The negro produced pen, ink and
paper, and Brom commenced drawing the
instrument. After drawing the preliminary
and formal part of the instrument, and
writing several special requests of no great
value, the sick man dictated and Brom
wrote as follows:
Lastly-l give, viii and beQueath and devise
all the rest, residue and remainder of nv prop
e1ty, OF whatsoever manner or nature, TO my
beloved niece, Betsy Nedder her heirs and as
signs forever: provided always, and upon this
express condition, that the said Betsy Nedder
shall accept the offer of marriage made BY Der
rick Won Corlear. the son of my old friend, and
consummatc marriage with him within six
months after my decease. In case she refuses
or neglects so to do, give viii, bequeath and
devise the same unto any decent Dutchman
who, within one year after my decease, with
the appreciation of my friend, the Rev. Thomas
Romeyn, shall become the lawful husband OF
the woman well known as the Witch of the Mo-
hawk, tohave and 10 hold to himself, his heirs
and assigns forever; and hereby make, consti-
tute and appoint my beloved young friend,
Broln Won Warker, sole executor of this my last
viii and testament
The viii being duly executed was care
fully folded and sealed with the testator
private SEAL and deposited with Brom for
safe keeping, who was soon vending his
way homeward with the document in his
pocket.
what a queer old chap he is" said Brem
to himself, as he trudged along; but he is
stubborn old fellow, and l do really be-
iieye that he would sooner give his property
to the devil than his own flesh and blood
unless they all fall down and worship him.
But no doubt it is all right The old man
To-. - i
love with young CoTlear, and of course they
will in due time marry
." w hat beautiful evening it is" said
he; " how soft and silvery the bright moon
looks down upon the Mohawk. What
weird shadows the tall pines cast upon the
river How softly and musically the
blackbiTds twitter in the bushes, and how
distinct is that splash as that poor fright
ened muskrat makes one grand leap for its
yatery home Really, | believe will sit
down here upon the bank of the beautiful
river for lew moments, and enjoy these
delightful surroundings
So saying he sat down beneath a mon
strous old oak, and lighting his pipe, pro-
eeeted to enjoy real Old-fashioned Dutch
smoke
How long lie sat thus lie never knew.
his revcrle was broken By sounds OF the
f'SLN~St .AiiN must .S4i-tllC l.llSEG lIIL ever
greeted human ear, while at the same time
he beheld in establishment beautiful little
tiny canoe made of pearl and studded with
diamonds, which glittered and sparkled in
the Moonlight and cast reflections upon The
waters like so many twinkling stars.
In the canoe were six little fliries, the
loyeliest little beings eye eyer gazed upon.
Each on had q tiny golden paddle, and. as
the canoe hoated down the stream. the5
sang in sweetest melody
Lucky is the man, who If ne can.
WIN wed with the Witch of the Mohawk
Certainly you can; Bron. you are the man
This strain they continued 10 sing as th,
canoe foated down the stream, until tn,
canoe, the fairies and the music were los
in the distance.
Well, said Brom, as he arose. 81 if
were not strictly temperate, / should sweal
that had been drinking but know wha
see and hear. | saw the fairies with my
own eyes, and heard them sing with my
own ears But what on earth do the Iittlc
elfs mean by such q song2 Why, bless IN,
soul, | would rather marry flatboat loat
OF these fairies than marry that old white
| haired witch. No, sir | Will never do it
Brom Won Warker is not for sale in
When Brom reached his boarding plac,
he quietly retired, saying nothing of his adj
venture. Days, weeks and months flew
past, and Brom heard nothing about tn,
expected marriage
Winter at length arrived, and the chill
dren began teasing for spelling school
So one was appointed for the next coming
Saturday evening. The time arrived ant
the spelling school passed off as all spellin,
schools used to do
After the children had all left, and Bror
was alone in the little school-house. h.
blew out all the lights, but one from a tai
low candle, and lighting his pipe sat dowr
in front of the fire place Stoves were no
yet inventedl to enjoy quiet smoke ane
reverie.
/ reverie, and mentally bewaiI;ng the mis-
fortunes of poverty. and his ill-luek in gen
eral, he gradually became oblivious TO al
! things else.