Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1890-11-20

thea ran away. But now, in ais mind.
there was no doubt His deep study Of
witchcraft had familiarized him with ali
forms of amulets and charms.
Dorothea wore the, badge of the devil.
From this time on. Dorothea bore a
double character. To those around her
and with whom she associated, she was g
pure. high-minded, loVable girl. But the
minister's convictions of necessity had
their weight with his practitioners, and
while he made no charge against her the
report that she was q witch was soon
circulated. The simple minded pioneers
treated her as If she were one of their
own flesh and blood. yet they could not
help watching her with fear. She might
not be what she seemed, and they were
on the alert to detect anything which
might SAVIOR of the evil one.
That it was hard life and a difficult
path for one so young to tread is clear
The least outbreak of temper, the small
est act which might appear queer, even
her deeds of kindness. were looked upon
with suspicion. Yet none could quite
believe her evil SO open was her DISPOSE
ton, and she continued to live in the
settlement befriended by all But there
was that suspicion lowering over herl
One evening the minister was returning
rather late from a visit to q small village
several miles away, and was repeating in
Hebrew the 1880 psalm, which was snip
to protect one from evil spirits when
travelling lonely road after nightfall.
He had just finished it and was about to
begin again with the first verse. when he
heard light footsteps near, and, looking
into the forest, saw Dorothea approach
s daS. It was an 0nin0a' meeting for the
The poor minister could not, IL he had
wished, disconnect her presence with the
evil spirits he was exercising. Had he
not repeated the cabalistic words, he be-
l1eVed the girl would not have Joined
him, but would have left the powers of
the air to exercise their influence upon
him. But they being barred from in fur
ing. she, their Mistress came. They
walked along toward the lights which
were cleaning through the woods from
the village.
Where have you been at this hour,
Dorothea?" the minister asked; for, al
though inwardly trembling, he did not
fear an attack, and was disposed to treat
the girl with the manner becoming her
pastor. He was a good man. as have
said, and even while he believed Dorothea
to be bound to the devil, would do any,
thing to release her from her bondage.
I have been down the creek to Mr..
Johnson's, whose wife is ILL., It is late.
but she needs DR.. Lennox' services, and
there was no one else who would go after
him."
Child, child, what do you want of that
poor Woman's soul?"
Dorothea started
I do not understand YOU"
But the minister did not reply. just
then they came to little stream which.
moving southward. joined Sagnauk creek
lew rods below the village. With the
simple words, 4 am thirsty. Dorothea
knelt down by the running brook to
drink. So quickly was it done that she
had touched the running water with her
lips, when the minister cried out:
Stop, child of evil Would you drink
in the evil spirits which float upon un-
covered water this nightP Or are you in
deed proof against all such dangers?"
Sir, l do not know what you mean"
answered Dorothea, as she ceased drink
ing and arose to her feet.
Do not know what I mesnl Child,
perhaps You would also advise me to
drink of that stream?"
And why not, reverend sir, if you are
thirsty"
why not? Because this is Tuesday
night, and while one may drink from un-
covered water six nights in the week, he
may not do so on Tuesday evening un-
less he wishes to receive into him those
evil sprites called musikans, which sport
upon the waters this eve and are fain to
enter mans body. hoping that they may
reach his head or his heart"
Reverend SIR" said Dorothea. @You
are very learned, but am ignorant and
know not of this. I thank you that you
warned me. No more will I drink of
water on this Tuesday eve, unless it has
been closely covered.
The two then proceeded on their way
to the village. But in the minister's
mind two things had been made certain:
that Dorothea was abroad in the woods
that night to marshal the powers of the
air against him, and that, foiled in her
plans by the cabalistic psalm, she had
knelt by the running brook to commune
with those sprites which superstition
told him invaded all uncovered water on
Tuesday night
*There is old Jewish legend to this effect.
fro BE Continued