The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1893-02-11
A WITCH STORY.

rlOuS as having Deen told by an Old col
ored oma of Virginia. a slave before
the war;" and one who can neither read
nor write.
Years ago there lived in Virginia a
gentleman named McKin, who was great
ly respected by all who knew him. He
was rich; he was kindly; he had the
good wishes of all his neighbors; he was
an excellent master and a good friend.
He owned a great deal of real estate,
and among it was the finest mill prop.
erty in the county. 1t was known as
McKin's grist mill, and was very valu.
able. He always kept a miller there,
and of course the miller had his men.
and a thriving business was carried or
for years. Meanwhile Mr.. McKin re-
NAMED a bachelor and lived in the ol6
family mansion with his mother and
sisters until the former died and the lat.
ter married, and people began to say that
now no doubt McKin himself would
marry.
However, neither maid nor widow OF
the place could f1atter herself that the
bachelors attentions were particular
He lived alone with his large retinue of
servants for a year, and at last aston
ished his friends by marrying lady who
wa an utter stranger to every one. a
very beautiful young woman who had
golden hair, great black eyes, Il skin like
cream and a brown mole on her left
cheek.
He gave a great supper to introduce
her, and she was admired by all. Hell
dress was exquisite. She sparkled with
jewelry, and Il magnificent cluster ring
which she wore on the middle finger of
the right hand attracted much atten-
ton. 1t was, like all the rest. II gift
from Mr.. McKin.
The host did his best. The supper was
delightful; there was a band of music
from Richmond; there were roses every
where. Mr.. McKin had tried to make
to make the affair IA splendid one. but
when it was over the guests began to &C.
knowledge to n another that they were
disappointed. Why they could not say.
Perhaps Mrs. McKin was cold in hel
n Some people could not help
being that. But they had not been hap
py, and in old times every one had en-
joyed themselves so much ut the Nc
Kins'.
Then some one limited that the house
servants did not like their new lady, and
liked still less her foreign maid, little
and dark and withered us an old monkey
mo" old Phoebe, the cook, had said
to some one, I'VE all don't like madame's
maid-we all don't like her. We got nc
right to talk about de madame nohow
But madame's maid, she jes' IA niger
same as de rest, and we all reckon she
mighty cur'us--mighty Gurus"
The day after the party was Saturday
Mrs. McKin professed herself weary
and remained in bed until supper time
Sunday morning, however. she rose. Al
she was eating breakfast her husband
spoke of the hour.
I'VE shall have to make some haste
my dear" he said, lin order to I've a
church in season."
1t was some time before his wife an
swered him; then she said:
II will not go to church today
Il am very anxious that you should
my DEAR" Mr.. McKin said 1T will b.
expected of u.s."
"You can go alone" she answere,
coldly.
Alone, the first Sabbath after III,
marriager' he cried. "Oh. my dear, i'm
possible! See what | have bought TO
you for the occasion" And he tool
from a table Il small parcel, unfolded i
and handed to Mrs. Mckin Il beautiful
little prayer book bound in blue velvet
with silver clasps, and her name on tn
corner in silver letters. AS he placed
before her she uttered a low cry an
tainted away. The maid rushed to he
and they carried her to her room. wher
thenceforward she remained. From tina
moment Mr.. McKin's beautiful yorn
wife seemed to. be bedridden. She nevc
left her pillow. Mr.. McKin consulte
the most celebrated physicians. None c
them could discover what allied her. He
maid nursed her continually. Mr.. Nj
Kin was not encouraged to enter TIL
room; he always made his wifc's hea
ache when he spoke to her. Finally i
contented himself with Il brief call of il
quiry every morning. he was II yer
unhappy man. more unhappy than in h
bachelor days.
Old Phoebe began to tell strange st,
ries to her friend, the h~ousekeeper mt I'll
hotel.
"Marsy Jack mighty nigh done brol
his heart" she would say. ''I'ze might
- For l,.ly l,,f x-a all ;ncs l,p,,,u,y ,
madam. She sick in bed all day, b,
in de night | reckon she mighty well
yes'm, she mighty well den. and she e
up and dress sheself and eat Il big SUI
per and go out Oh de do. Yes'm. she d
And dat little chipmunk of a maid 81
go along wild her, and dey done con
back jes' befo' sun up. Yes'm, we p
knows dat de libin truff,"
why don't you tell your Marse Jack
the housekeeper asked.
Deere amt nobody dast tell dat y;
to Marse Jack McKin." said Phnb
nobody"
And nobody did dare. But soon it w,
whispered everywhere that Mrs. Mex
had a lover whom she went to meet
the pine woods at midnight.
But there was something else that NJ
Jack McKin was to hear shortly. The
was trouble at his mill, and the troub
was of a supernatural sort-the mill
and his men had seen a ghost.
One by one the men had been frigh
ened away, and the miller was alone
his post. AT last he came up to the M
Kin mansion one day and resigned /