The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-05-20
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 Gas everybody called
her and feared her as such) the country
witch. .'Halloo, masterl You are very
sad to-day. What's the matter?"
Il guess / have reason to be sad"
answered the Devil. Working so
hard. and vet gaining nothing"
'.How is that?" asked Mag.
s'Do YOU know that old couple over
yonder?" and the Devil pointed to a
lonely farmhouse out piece from the
road
1.-The old man and woman over thereP
Certainly know them"
"A nice, peaceable old couple. eh?"
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 it?"
That it, exactly! Ihaye 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 l 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 coupler"
"Yes, l."
"How long will it take you to do it,
do you thinkP''
20. day OF 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 On
this world smarter than himself"
If you can bring about what you
say, will make you present of a 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 Ito 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:
4 am Old Mag, the country fortune
teller. Maybe you would like to have
your fortune toldP"
Il have nothing to do with fortune
tellers. Clear this house immediately"
and the woman motioned to show Mag
her way Off
Just as expected" said Mag. BE
cause am a fortune-tellcr 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 say?'
asked the woman, calling her back.
Nothing, if you don't like itp' re-
piled Mag, in sharp tone. ''How-
ever" she continued, softening her
voice, Il didn't come to get angry.
though knew well enough that would
be thus treated. 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 can say, they will
come soon; your husband brings them,
and there is only one way of turning
them off,
"What way?" asked the 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, take nothing for this.
May God preserve you from harmr'
As the old witch passed through the
gate she said to herself with a chuckle:
$50 far my bargain is all right. Now
for the old man."
She took roundabout way, so as
not to be suspected. Sir. 1 came this
way of purpose, thus Mag accosted
him, 'to warn you of a danger that is
threatening YOU"
"Who are you?" asked the man alb
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.
81 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"
.'Well, then, be murdered, for aught
care said Mag, turning abruptly to
walk away.
Murdered? Who talks about muir
der?n
Il do, and so do other folks, too"
IAN l to be murdered, you say?"
''Yes. you"
''Who wants to murder me?"
Nobody else but your own wife"
You're a liar, and be confoundedn'
exclaimed the man, almost in a fury.
Hem! we'll that needs to be proved.
| heard people say SO and l thought it
right to come and warn you. You
would do well to have an eye on your
wife and to try her, anyhow"
''How will she murder me, and why"
'-She will try to cut your throat with
your razor, while you are asleep, SO
people say, and that rs soon as she gets
chance. Why she wants to do it, l
don't know"
Il will try her." said the man sullen-
ly IF it is false, then will settle with