The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-07-02
miscellaneous.
Worse Devils Than the Devil.

Inc DeVl was one DAY Slttln8 on stone
on the side of Il 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 for.
tune teller, and las everybody called her and
feared her as such) the country witch. "Hel-
loo, master! You are very sad to-day
What's the matter%
81 guess | have reason to be sad," answer
ed the Devil. "Working so hard, and yet
gaining nothing"
"How is that 2" asked Mag.
DO you know that old couple over yon-
der ?" and the Devil pointed to a lonely farm
house out piece from the road.
"The old man and woman over there Ger.
tainly know them"
"A nice, peaceable old couple, ell ?" grin
ned the Devil sadly.
"Oho that's what worries you," laughed
the fortune-teller. "a very nice, pcaceable
old couple, that won't let you get between
them. Is that Y'
THAT'S it exactly have been working
very hard for all the years they are living to-
gether land it is now about forty) to SOW
discord between them, but all in vain. They
give up the project after having gone TO so
much trouble about it; and yet almost de-
spair of ever gaining my point"
what will you give me if do tor you
what you cannot do ?" asked Mag in her own
haunting way.
You bring discord between that good old
coupler
"Yes, l."
How long will il take you to do it, do
you think?"
20, day or two"
you do in so short time what could
not do in all these forty years?"
"Yes," laughed the old sinner "to show
the Devil that there are persons in this
world smarter than himself"
IF you can bring about what you say,
will make you present ofa pair of new
shoes"
agreed = said the old WITCH "This is
Thursday. Meet me here again next Satur-
to bring them along" With these words
old Mag hobbled away, studying how she
could best fulfill the DEVILS Grand
The next morning, Friday, she went to the
farm house ito try her luck" as she said
IL 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 babe her good-day and then
began IL am Old Mag the country fortune
teller. Maybe you would like to have your
fortune told?"
II have nothing to do with fortune-te llers
Clear this house Immediately" and the wo-
man motioned 10 show Mag her way Off
"Just as expected" said Mag. because
am fortune.teller dare not be listened to-
but must be driven from the house. Couldn't
foresee that you would treat me thusp II
you will not hear me, then bear the conse.
quence," thus saying she turned to leave the
house.
well, what have you got to say?" asked
the woman, calling her back.
Nothing, ifyou don't like itw replied
Mag, in II sharp tone. However" she con-
tinued, softening her voice, N didn't come
here to get angry, though KNEW well enough
that would be thus treated. came to tell
you the TRUTH whether you like it or not r
well, what is ?"
There are great trials and troubles await
ing you. All can say, they will come soon ;
your husband brings them, and there is only
one way ofturning them Off"
"What way ?"a asked the woman rather anx.
iously. #
ut is somewhat odd way, and you may
not believe in it" continued Mag. when
your husband is sound asleep, you must TAXI
his razor and cut a hair away here from his
throat" and the witch pointed 10 her own
throat to show the woman the place.
"If it don't do any good, 1t 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, asking whether
there were no charges.
mo, ma'am, | take nothing for this May
God prese rye you from harm!"
! AS the old witch passed through the gate
she said to herself with chuckle $50 faI
my bargain is all right. Now for the old
man."
She took u roundabout way, so as not tC
be suspected "Sir, came this way of a pur'
pose" thus Mag accosted him. "to warn you
of danger that is threatening you"
"Who are you ?" asked the man abruptly
II am Old Mag, the country fortune-teler. ;
81 have no business with you. Go your
way and let me in peace" and the man turn
ed away from her to take up his work.
II did not come here TO tell your fortune,
persisted Mag "but to warn you against Ger
tain danger"
"Get out O. this I'll not hear another
word"
| wen, tneu, Dt HuTucreu lOT dugub care,
said Mag, turning abruptly to walk away.
Murdered Who talks about murder 7"
II do, and so do other folks, too"
Gam to be murdered, you say p
eyes, you"
"Who wants to murder mep"
Nobody else but your own wife"
"You're liar, and be confoundedl' ex
claimed the man, almost in u fury. .....
"Hem! well that needs to be proved.
heard people say so and thought it right tc
come and warn you. You would do well tC
have an eye on your wife, and try her, any
how"
"How will she murder me, and whyw
"She will try to cut you throat with you
razor, while you are asleep, so people say
and that is as soon as she gets chance
| Why she wants to do it. don't know"
II will try her." said the man sullenly. III
sir" With this Mag left, saying to herself
"The old gentleman is all right, too.
it is false, then will settle with you"
II only tell you what heard people say
Try her yourself and you will sec. Good-day
/ will soon have my Shoes" so t.Is
At noon, when the man went home for hi
dinner, he watched his wife closely. Noiic
ing that sue viewed him, now and then, In |
stolen distrustfnl way, he grew suspicious
and began to look and act sour and sharp
"Aha p thought his wife, II see The trouble
coming already"
| After dinner he law down az usual 10 tax,