The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-01-22

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Bridgeville, Del, I could but smile.
I had but few days before just
listened to a statement which revealed the
fact that the supersttions of the age are
Bridgeville, especially the superstitions
about the doiugs on the first day OF the
year.
A gentleman residing in this county who
has good trade told me that on New
Years Day, 1885, he drove on his accus-
toned rounds and delivered the usual
amount Of goods to his customers without
receiving cent in payment. 1t was not
that they did not have the money but be-
cause Of the superstition which prevails
among them about paying money on New
Years Day, you will be paying it all the
year."
This bridesmaids route lay through
thickly settled neighborhood, past churches,
lyceum halls, schools, both public and
private, at least one academy and even the
dome Of an institute was sighted
Superstition is by no means confined to
the ignorant, as one will certainly find out
by travel and observation
The Eighth district Of this county sup
ports genuine hoo-doo doctor. To be
sure he is black, but the majority of his
patients are neither black nor ignorant
Rheumatism is his speciality. He admin
listers but little medicine, depending upon
the passing of his hands. II you do not
have implicit faith in bis methods he will
not attempt to cure you.
A young white girl told me recently thas
he had cured her sister of epileptic fits. l
was Immediately interested and piled my
informant with questions concerning the
modus operandi Of the cure.
"Did he give your sister any incidence"
asked.
ono, he didn't give it to her. He left
two bottles on the mantle and when she
felt like she was going to have fit she
was to just sit down and look straight at
the bottles of medicine"
nat cured ner, dlG IL:
"Well that's been over a year ago since
she first tried it, and she amt had fit
since.''
If some white doctors would initiate
Uncle Lewis example and let their patients
look at their nauseous doses without i'm
bibing them, we have little doubt but that
fba 70 ho oh tba
This hoo-doo doctor neither shuns nor
courts notorety. He is an honest, quiet
unassuming man, and never undertakes a
case unless solicited to do So Failing to
cure, he does not come in with an out
rageous bill for services rendered. In fact
he makes no specific charge, but accepts
whatever his patients choose to give him.
1t is almost needless to state that he is not
rolling in wealth, but as his cabin is not
far from the "Klondike diggings" fortune
may yet smile upon him. If he should
doctor successfully for gold fever some of
the people in that vicinity it would be a
contamination devoutly to be wished for.
Fifty years ago the air was rife with
tales of ghosts and witches
Whoeve: hears of these things now ex-
cept to laugh at them?
The cutting down of the forests AMI tear
ing away of old houses, the demolition
OF ancient garrets has totally destroyed
their hiding places. Where is there any
place for whte-rohed figure to wander
around and melt into shin air, in a modern
dwelling?
There is little doubt but that unearthly
screenings of locomotives have had much
TO do with frightening them away, never
having heard such sounds during their
earthly pilgrimage.
Speaking Of witches, l cannot forbear
relating bit of local history which | often
heard discu sed in my early childhood, the
actors in the story have long since passed
away, but their descendants are some Of
our most intelligent and highly respected
citizens.
Two young farmers whom we will call
Jeb and Jake, lived side by side on the
banks Of the Octoraro They were like
brothers in their affection and intimacy,
Jeb was the owner Of ine black mare
and Jake owned a white dog.
Jeb's mare was subject to queer spells,
She would refuse to eat or work and would
nope and sulk for days at time, much to
the annoyance and worry of her owner.
Jake's dog often accompanied him tc
neighbor jobs, and finding the mares stall
deeply bedded with fresh straw every day
took fancy to it as a sleeping place, the
space under the stable door being sufficient
for him to crawl under and ensconce him
self in one corner of the stable, and Civ,
up to happy dreams.
The attacks of jobs mare increased il
length and frequency until Jeb knew no
what to do. About this time he happened
to hear of a famous Wizard residing il
Lancaster City, Pa, who could locat
buried treasures, reveal the hiding place
of lost wills and perform other marvels to,
numerous to mention.