The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1888-11-29


to the husband who felt that his
evident goodness and refine
ment would refute the vile charge.
Yet not was she SO courageous;
neither would che leave her little
daughter behind lest dread affection
should seize her. 1t befell that they 4
reached the town on a day appoint
ed for sitting out the new cases.
Goodman Carny with his wife and
child slipped quietly into the meeting
house and sat down near the door.
No notice was taken of them
more than Of the other specta-
tors. Watching, they soon made
out the way of it. The afflicted were
placed on benches near the judges,
and those accused of witchcraft were
brought in. When these prisoners
eyes would fall on the girls who were
afflicted, these would writhe and cry
out on them whom they said tor
mented their flesh. A sight pitiful to
behold, but none cried out Mrs.
Carny's name. Then were she and
her husband atease, until as darkness
gathered one whom they supposed
Mrs. Bishop passed forward. Then
was Abigail Bishop seized with fits
and was dumb, but another older,
who wasgrievously torn cried ':Carny,
Carny." Then those who knew the
owner Of the name forced her to the
front. Then did the justice put her
upon saying the Lords prayer to
make trial Of her guilt. But this she
did in a fervent manner, her hand
resting on the curls Of her little
Deliverance who had followed and
chung to her mothers gown. Then
said the justice to the accusers that
they should touch the woman. This
all did without hurt until it came to
Abigail Bishops turn who made as
if in a fit before reaching her.
Then with horrid Shortcomings
while yet some feet distant she said
that D%eliverance bit her and that
her DEVILS cat was scratching her.
The mother was frightened and
clasped her child close, but the officer
was directed to release her arms
from about her daughter. The pris-
oner, for such was now regarded,
was compelled to stand with her
arms o~utstretched while her examin-
alton went on. Almost fainting with
terror she gazed appealingly towards
her husband who was near and now
forced his way to her. He tried to
hold one of her hands but it was
denied him. She begged him to wipe
her eyes and the sweat of terrorfrom
her face and this was not hindered.
Desiring to lean on him, saying that
she should faint, the justice spoke
against it saying that she had
strength to torment those persons,
and she should have strength
enough to stand. After questioning
her to no effect nextthe tried to get
from poor, frightened Deliverance
some evil doings of her mother, but
the maid sobbed against her moth
| er's skirt and answered not.
Then was her mitrimus writ and
she with her child sent to prison.
Goodman ,Carny was allowed to ac-
company them but irons were COM
manded for his wife. Came after this
the jailer whom Carny had well be-
friended in times before and told how
the talk went in the council to tor
ment the child to the mothers harm.
And when the parents cried out
men were so cruel he told that a
maid of no more years than theirs
had been seized as a witch and Ian
guished in jail. "Mayhap," said he,
"they may order thy maid to be
fastened heels upon till the blood
run from nose and ears rather than
chance the escape of her mother, be
she veritable WITCH"
Then did they prevail on him with
sad beseechings to aid themin flight:
And he, saying he had more than
enough of such work, promised to
do his best. But for one day they
must stand what would come but
the evening of that day would
the council break up to spend
thanksgiving at their several homes.
Then could he do somewhat for
them, but he must share with them
Or he would, if he staid behind, be
imprisoned.
All of the day preceding Thanks.
giving day the distressed family
prayed and their prayers must have
awaited for they were left in peace.
At night the jailer warned them to be
in readiness by midnight when he
would let them out, as SO he did.
They had a long walk through fall
ing sleet over muddy roads beyond
the outskirts Of the town where they
were met by a wagon driven by the
jailer. Until morning they rode, and
when the light growing strong, they
neared a village, instead of going to
it they turned off towards the deep
woods. S%hivering, %drenched, hungry,
they, descended and sought such
shelter as promised safety. In this
comfortless way did their Thanks
giving day pass, yet grateful were
they able to eat in peace such food
as the jailer had brought instead of
undergoing further trial with the
certainty Of death at the end. .
They spoke of their Boston rela-
tives, but that way didthey not dare
to turn seeing the enchantments We're
being proceeded against in that town
with renewed energy And so their
feast day was spent in deciding
where their paths should be to lead
from destruction. Yet was it not
without praise to God for his good
ness in saving them from prison.
By degrees they made their way to
the Dutch settlements where Thanks
giving was unknown, but where the
fear Of witchcraft seldom intruded