The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-03-06
THE wITcHcRAFT INDUSTRY.
People Who Prey Upon the Superstitions
of Poor COlOred Women.


The old colored woman in the yellow
shawl and bandana turban stopped at
the third gate on the right of the alley
and gave three knocks, says the Wash
ington Star. When the portal was
opened crack by thin and nervous
female of mulatto complexion the visi-
tor inserted her foot unobtrusively into
the gap, so as to effectively prevent the
shutting of the door, if it had been at
tempted, and said:
Honey. didn't some myster' ous sign
tell you dat a stranger would come
visitin' you to-day?'
Oar was sumpin' queer-lookin' in de
coffee grounds dis mornin'; but / done
thought de long row of blackbirds
meant muffin but de funeral on de mex
square, replied the woman inside the
gate.
mo, honey; dem blackbirds was mis-
fortunes comm. Youse had deal er
trouble in yo' life; you can't keep it hid
from me, cas- rs witch an knows
ebberyting. A deal er trouble you'se
had"
Eyes, indecdy, dat's a fac'," adj
mitted the other, somewhat awestruck.
What wise woman you is, to be
sho'."
Use awful wise, honey; and lots mo-
troubles and misfortunes am comm on.
You'se got an enemy"
''Me?n
Eyes, an awful bad one You nebber
saw her. but she's got spite against
you cause her grandpa was hoodooed
by an aunt OBJ yourn on time, so dat de
ole mans wool all came out an he swole
up like balloon. Don'tyou hab misery
in de j'ints off an on?''
my Lawd, yes!'
81 know'd you had. Once in awhile
I ak you queshun, SOS to see if you
tell me de trufe. Now I'll tell you de
reason for dem pains. Dis enemy of
yourn is berry wicked; she is berry tall,
an has pop eyes an freckles. Once in
a while when she's bakin', maybe, she
makes leetle image out ob de dough
an bakes it in de oven, not berry crus-
ty. De image is you. An, when she
has time, she takes de image and sticks
pins into it; den, oh course, you feel
pains and aches.
''Sakes alive! What's a po' critter
like me to do?"
Oats what l came to tell you,
Didn't I say was witch, honey? I'll
show you how to fix yo' enemy, SOS she
can't do you no hurt no mo-, but it'll
cost you sumpin."
Use only got 80 cents.
We'll. dat'll do. Give it to me,
chile. You'se sho' it's good silver
pieceP Now listen: When you are
bakin' next take bit OBJ dough an
make an image oh de wicked woman.
Just make it long an thin an it'll do,
Den set it to raise wild de udder bread,
after TWIN a piece OBJ thread round its
neck pretty tight. When it's done
raised de thread will hab de neck
mos cut in two; bake it careful dat
way, berry crusty, an put it away on
de pantry shelf in tin box. De wick
ed woman will be so choked dat she
can't do you any hurt for year; den
you can make anudder image in de
same way"
lis dat allp''
"No; dere's sumpin' else awful SER
ious; but it costs more money to know
it."
"But | amt got no mo-"
mot two bits? Desc are hard times
in de witchery business"
''Not a nickel"
well, I'll come again. Dere's a
pusson l know of dats laid sumpin
down 'gainst you, an if l don't tell
you how to fix it, it'll bring all sorts err
bad luck. Good day, honey; and if you
kin git any ole clo'es from yo' missus,
dey'n go leng way wild me, stead Ell
money"
A person who knows about such
things told Star reporter that there
were a good many shrewd negro wo-
men in Washington who made an ex-
cellent living by preying i'll this way
upon the superstitious fears OF the low
er class among the colored population.