The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1893-02-11
A WITCH STORY.

|
The story l am about to tell you
is curious as having been told by an
old colored woman 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 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 ofreal
estate, and among it was the finest
mill property in the county. 1t was
known as McKin's grist mill, and
was very valuable. 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 remained a
bachelor and lived in the old family
mansion with his mother and sisters
until the former died and the latter
married, and the people began to
say that now nc doubt McKin him.
self would marry.
However, neither maid nor widow
of the place could flatter himself that
the bachelors attentions were par
ticular. He lived alone with his
large retinue of servants for year,
and at last astonished his friends by
marrying lady who was an utter
stranger to every one, very beau.
tiful young woman who had golden
hair, great black eyes, a skin like
cream a brown mole on her left
cheek.
He gave great supper to intro
duce her, and she was admired by
all. Her dress was exquisite. She
sparkled with jewelry, and magnl-
fcent cluster ring which she wore
on the middle finger Of the right
hand attracted much attention. 1t
was, like all the rest, gift from Mr..
| McKin.
The host did his best. The sup
per was delightful; there was band
of music from Richmond; there
were roses everywhere. Mr.. McKin
had tried to make the affair splen
did one, but when it was over the
guests began to acknowledge 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 happy,
and in old times every one had
enjoyed themselves so much at the
| McKins'.
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, 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 ies' a nigger, same as de
rest, and we all reckon she mighty
cur 'us-mighty Gurus.
The day after the party was Sat
urday. Mrs. McKin professed her
self weary and remained in bed until
supper time. Sunday morning,
however, she rose. AS she was eat
Ing breakfast her husband spoke of
the hour.
We shall have to make some haste,
nv dear, he said, in order to be at
church in season.
1t was some time before his wife
answered him; then she said:
| will not go to church today.
am very anxious that you should
my dear, Mr.. McKin said. 1t will
3 be expected of us
You can go alone, she answered
coldly.
Alone, the first Sabbath after my
&. marriage! he cried. Oh, my dear
impossible! See what have bough
' for you for the occasion. And hs
took from a table small parcel, un
folded it and handed to Mrs. McKir
:. a beautiful little prayer book bount
!. in blue velvet, with silver clasps, ane
n her name on the corner in silve
} letters. As he placed it before he
70 she uttered low cry and faintet
- away. The maid rushed 10 her ant
d they carried her to her room, wher
thence forward she remained. From
that moment Mr.. McKin's beautiful
;, young wife seemed to be bedridder
She never left her pillow. Mr.
L McKin consulted the most celebra
r, ted physicians. None of ther
IS could discover what allied her. He
t maid nursed her continually. MI
= McKin was not encouraged to ente
4 the room; he always made his wife
I head ache whea-h -he- -speh'ttrtn, n hG' !
= Finally he cor1ens N NM