The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-11
MARTHA TRIED THE BOOK TEST.
A Negro Spell Which Doesn't Seem to Work
With German Bible.

Witchoraft sometimes figures in the
West Fifty-fourth street police court in
cases in which negroes are concerned.
Most frequently one negro asks for the
arrest of another who has hoodooed him,
or has placed witch water under his win.
dow or near his door. Sometimes the
complainant declares that a bad negro
has tried to look at him with his evil eye.
The faith Of the negroes In their WITCH
craft is not always very deep. Sometimes
after having submitted dispute to the
decision OF &c rcery, they refuse to abide by
the result, and take TIE matter to court.
The other day Martha and George john
son appeared in the West Side police court
to get decision by the Magistrate. Mar
tina had lived so long with George that she
considered herself his lawful. welded
wife; but George differed from her on this
point and stopped contributing money
for her support. He even threatened to
60 away and marry another girl, Martha
said. and she wanted the Magistrate to
zee that she was provided for.
George declared that he had no idea
OF taking to himself another mate, but
added that he was through with Martha.
because she had taken $40 from his pocket
while he was asleep.
Sow about that, Martha?' asked the
Ma 3istrate. rs that true?"
All amt taken no money, weIed
the wonan somewhat sullenly. lie test
done proved All didn't"
"De test do nuh.n' OF de sort, cried John
son. "You all knows youse allyn"
The Magistrate was rev in the bueiness.
He was one Of Mayor, Lows appointees
He became interested IN nc test.
1t and then will help you to eide
1You tell de Jedge, Martha" directed
George.
well, yor Honor, when George here
say ALI taken de tain dollar All say: De
test, de book test.
what book2" demanded the Magistrate.
@Don't leave out anything
"De Good Book, de Bible, Of co'se, !"
continued the woman. I'VE gets do Book
and opens it to de Tooth Psalm. Den we
takes some scissors and puts EN- in de
book SO de handles done stick outten. Den
We puts string round and round and ties
dc book shut, fast,
What then?' asked tbe Magistrate.
4Den George, he puts finger through de
hole In de scissors and An puts nah finger
in dc other hole. De book hangs by do
scissors. Den All saws: George johnson,
All didn' taken you So Den An says
mo-. All says:
by ST. Peter, by 81. Paul.
Give me now de test of
BY ST. Peter by 81, Vi,
II All licJ. de book III fall
what happens then?' asked the Court.
1Ef All didn't tell dc truf," continued
Martha. ode book onens all of hissef an
falls often de scissors TO de ground
We'll, what happened on this occasion?"
aaka the Ma listrate
denly becoming animated, sJest muffin
happen, dat's what"
dSee here, youse,' broke in johnson
becoming excited. "You all toll him. All
tells you. Judge, Yo'r Honor. Muffin
happen cause do book was Dutch Bible
she'd gotten c n de janitor. ALI gets another
book, an don what happen, Martha?'
de book done fall bt fe times, answered
Martha, hanging her head. An, Judge,
de test doan lie, but All didn' taken de
money. nohow.'
Il don't think that you did, Martha,
raid the Marstrate. you take my word for
IL, George. Some one else has that money.
You go back home with Martha and take
good care Of her. You have a good wife,
Martha and George went away together,
apparently satisfied Tho now Magistrate
has since had other negro cases, just -
strnr