New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1888-11-28
naught but a scowling loo k in answer

naught but scoWling loo k in answer
to his friendly words Of greeting, and
soon he learns that her daughter,
but three years older than his own
little maiden, has been seized with
I.devilish possession. The word is
that she is on her way to Salem to
| have Rev. Cotton Mather and Rev.
Mr.. Paris find out who is the witch
that torrents the girl.
/ This is but dull news to take home
to his wife. but the next day but one
brings more. He learns from Elder
| Winthrop, who is his friend as well
as the friend of his wife's father in
Boston, that after prayer and
close questioning of the girl it
has come out that his wife is
accused. He hardly knows how to
find words to tell her, but when at
last the matter is laid before her
and the first horror is overpast, they
go together in the evening, Deliver
ance being there asleepin her trund1e
bed, to advise with their min
lister and the elders of the.
church. These wise and virtues men,
| holding in high esteem the husband
and wife, recommended them to go
to Salerp village to learn just how
the matter stood. This seemed right
to the husband who felt that his
Wife's evident goodness and refine
ment would refute the vile charge.
{ Yet not was she so courageous;
neither would she leave her little
daughter behind lest dread affection
should seize her. It befell thatthe
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 was grievously 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 Deliverance 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 outstretched 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 terror from
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 next they 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 mitlimus 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-
triended 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. 'sMayhap," 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 a yeritable 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 dav would