Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-02-21
A WITCH STORY.

The story am ABOUT W tell you 10 Cu
rious Us having been told by an old col
ored woman Of Virginia. = slave "before
the war" and one who can neither read
nor write.
Years ago there lived In Virginia u
gentleman named McKin. who was great
ly respected Ivy all who knew him. lie
was rich; h. was kindly; he had the
good wishes of all his neighbors; he was
an excellent master and good friend.
He owned u great deal Of real estate,
and among u was tho finest mill prop
erty In the county. II was known n
McKins grist mill. and was very valu'
able. tie always kept = miller there,
and OF course the miller had his men,
and thriving business was carried on
for years. Meanwhile Mr.. McKin re-
mained bachelor and lived In the old
family mansion with his mother and
sisters until the former died and the lat
ter married. and people began to say tha,
now no doubt McKin himself would
marry.
However. neither maid nor widow oi
the place could Hatter herself that the
bachelors attentions were particular.
He lived alone with his large retinue ol
servants for u year. and at last aston
ished his friends by marryinga u lady whc
WAS mn inter stranger to every one. q
very beautiful young woman who had
golden hair. great black eyes. u skin lik,
cream and brown mole on her left
cheek
Hs gave great supper to introduc,
her. and she was admired by all. Hel
dress WAS exquisite. She sparkled with
jewelry, and magnificent cluster ring
which she wore on the middle finger ol
the right hand attracted much atten
ton. II WA. like all the rest. = gif'
from Mr.. McKin.
The host did his best. The supper wa
delightful: there was band OF music
from Richmond: there were roses every
where. Mr.. McKin had tried to MAKE
TO make the affair n splendid one, bu
when II WAS over the guests began to &C
knowledge to one another that they wer'
disappointed. Why they could not say
Perhaps Mrs. McKin was cold In hel
manner. Some people could not hell
being that. But they had not been hap
py. and In old times every one had en
joyed themselves 90 much at the Nc
Kins'.
Then soine one hinted that the hous'
servants did not like their new lady, an,
liked still less her foreign maid. littl'
and dark and withered ~ an old monkey
NO" old PhRbe. the cook, had sai'
to nome one. I'VE all don't like nadaine'
maid = we all don't like her. We got M
right to talk about do madame nohow
But na,laine's maid. she jes' nigger
same IVA de rest. and we all reckon sh,
mighty cur'us-mighty Gurus"
The day after the party was Saturday
Mrs. McKin professed herself wear.
and remained In bed until supper time
Sunday morning. however. she rose. A
she WAS eating breakfast her husband
spoke OF the hour.
I'VE shall have to make some haste
my dear" he @id. ''in order to be q
church In season."
Il was some time before his wifo an
swered him: then she said:
81 will not 10 to church today
II am very anxious that you should
my dear Mr.. McKin said. 1T will b
expected Of us-"
"You can 20 alone" shs answere'
coldly.
"Alone. the Hrst Sabbath after IN.
niarriager' he cried. "Oh. my dear. I'M
possible! See what ! have bought 10
You for the occasion" And he tool
from table small parcel, unfolded
and handed to Mrs. McKin beautiful
little prayer book bound In blue velvet
with silver clasps, and her name on tn
corner In silver lettera Az he placed !
before her she uttered u 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 younI
wife seemed to be bedridden. She neve
left her pillow. Mr.. McKin consulte
the most celebrated physicians. None O
them could discover what ailed her. He
maid nursed her continually. Mr.. Nc
Kin was not encouraged to enter tn
room. he always made his wife's hea
ache when he spoke to her. Finally b
contented himself with brief call OF In
quiry every morning. He was yer
unhappy man. moro unhappy than In hl
bachelor days.
Old Phoebe began to tell strange stt
ries to her friend. the housekeeper ut tn
hotel.
"Msrsy Jack mighty nigh done brok
his heart" she would say. "rze might
sorry for Jack. but we all jes' despiscs d
madam. She sick In bed all day. bu
In do night reckon abe mighty we'll
yes'm. she mighty well den. and she Il
up and dress sheself and eat big SUI
per and 10 out oh do do. Yss'm. she d.
And dat little chipmunk Of q maid sl
20 along Wild her. and dey done CON
back les befo' sun up. Yes'm. We q
knows dat de libin trufi."
"why don't you tell your Aarse Jack
the housekeeper asked. u
"Dere ain't nobody dsst tell dat ~
To Marse Jack McKin." said PhBb'