Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-01-08
A WITCH STORY.

=
the war" and one who can neither read
nor wfite.
Years ago there lived In Virginia a
gentleman named Mckin, who was great
IN respected hy an who knew him. He
was rich; be was kindly; be had the
good wishes Of all bis neigkbors; he was
an excellent master and good friend.
He owned great deal Of real estate.
and among il was the finest mill prop
erty in the county. IL was known as
McKin's grist mill, and was very yalu-
able He always kept a miller there,
and OF course the miller had his men.
and thriving business was carried on
for years. Meanwhile Mr. McKin re-
uiained 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 that
now no doubt Mckin himself would
marry.
However. neither maid nor widow of
the place could fa.ter herself that the
bachelors attentions were particular.
He lived alone with his large retinue Of
servants for year, and at last aston
ished his friends by marryinga lady who
was an utter stranger TO every one, a
very beautiful young woman who had
golden hair. great black eyes, a 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. Her
dress was exquisite. She sparkled with
jewelry. and magnificent cluster ring
which she wore ON the middle finger of
the right hand attracted much atten-
ton. II was, like all the rest. 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 splendid one, but
when it was over the guests began to ac-
knowledge to one another that they were
disappointed. Why they could not say.
Perhaps Mrs. McKin was cold in her
manner. Some people could not help
being that. But they had not been hap
py. and in old times every one had en-
loved themselves SO much at 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 as an old monkey.
NO" old Phoebe, the cook, had said
to some one, 1--WE all don't like madame's
maid-we all don't like her. We got no
right to talk about de madame nohow.
But madame's maid, she jes' 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. AS
she was eating breakfast her husband
spoke of the hour.
I'VE shall have to make some haste,
my dear" he said, ''in order to be at
church in season."
1t was some time before his wife an
swered him. then she said:
Il will not go to church today"
Il am very anxious that you shoul |,
my DEAR" Mr. McKin said. 1T will be
| expected of u.s."
"You can 60 alone" she answered
coldly.
! "Alone, the first Sabbath after my
marriage!" he cried. "Oh, my dear, i'm
possible. See what / have bought for
you for the occasion" And he took
from table small parcel, unfolded it
and handed to Mrs. McKin a beautiful
little prayer book bound in blue velvet,
with silver clasps, and her name on the
corner in silver letters. AS he placed it
before her she uttered low cry and
tainted away. The maid rushed to her
and they carried her to her room, where
| thenceforward she remained. From that
moment Mr.. McKin's beautiful young
wife seemed to be bedridden. She never
left her pillow. Mr.. McKin consulted
the most celebrated physicians. None of
them could discover what allied her. Her
maid nursed her continually. Mr.. Nc
Kin was not encouraged to enter the
room: he always made his wife's head
ache when he spoke TO her. Finally he
contented himself with brief call of in
quiry every morning. He was a very
unhappy man. more unhappy than in hts
bachelor days.
Old Phoebe began to tell strange sto-
ries TO her friend. the housekeeper at the
hotel
"Marsy Jack mighty nigh done broke
his heart" she would say "Fze mighty
sorry for Jack. but we all jes' despises de
madam. She sick in bed all day, but
in De night reckon she mighty we'll
yes'm. she mighty well den, and she get
up and dress sheself and eat big sup
per and 20 out oh de do. Yes'm, she do.
And dat little chipmunk of maid she
go along wild her, and dey done COM
back les befo' sun up. Yes'm. we all
knows dat de libin truff,'
why don't yon tell your Marse jack
the Householder asked.
Deere amt nobody dast tell dat var
to Marse Jack McKin." said Phnbe
nobody"
And nobody did dare But soon it was
whispered evcrywhere that Mrs. McKin
had lover whom she went 20 meet in
the pine woods at midnight.
But there was something else that Mr.
Jack McKin was 10 hear shortly. There
was trouble - his mill. and the trouble
was II supernatural sort-the miller
and his men had seen ghost
One by one the men had been fright.
ened away. and the miller was alone ai
bis post. At last be came up Co the Ne
Kin mansion one day and resigned his
miilership lie was reluctant To give hi,
reasons. bat finally aid 20. The ghos;s
there were two 81 them manifested