Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1905-08-02
BEWITCHED
Iorlglnal.I

one bright summer morning more
than two hundred years ago, ship
from England anchored off shore at a
settlement in Massachusetts. To the
people of the place the arrival of any
thing or any person was a subject of
excitement and they all went down
to see what the vessel brought them.
To their great joy besides stores there
had come a number of people to cast
their fortunes with them. The watch
ers on shore stood gaping under their
broad brimmed puritan hats while a
ships boat -unloaded the emigrants,
among them a young girl, who from
the moment her foot touched the land
made herself as much at home as il
she had been born there. She had not
been landed five minutes before her
shoes and stockings were off and she
was wading in the shadows. splash
ing the water, laughing and otherwise
disporting herself. The grim faces on
the shore formed singular contrast
with the capering maiden.
Tell me-" said Hezekiah Stonehedge
to the captain of the ship, who is that
madcap VINO is disgracing herself by
showing her bare ankles to our young
menu
''She calls herself Abigail Rogers"
ITO which of the families does she
belong?'
TO none of them"
''God help usr' exclaimed Hezekiah
Stonehedge, throwing up his hands in
pious horror.
At that moment Abigail Rogers
back was turned to the shore while
she waded out toward place where
a small bit of sand rose above the sur
face. As the water deepened she
raised her skirts accordingly. Then it
grew more shallow, and she stood on
the little island, clapping her hands in
great glee. She splashed her white
feet in the water, hunted for shells
indeed found more to do IN the mar
row compass than many would have
found on all the coast Though all
eyes from the shore were fixed upon
her, she paid no attention to her OBJ
servers and when she had tired start
ed landward But while she had been
sporting the tide had risen, and after
she had advanced till the water be-
came so deep that she could raise her
skirts no further she stopped and cast
her eyes to the shore as II looking for
help. Sweeping the line of scowling
faces, she at last fixed on Hugh Sal
tonstall. u stalwart young fellow, who
had been looking on with the others.
The moment he received the maiden's
glance he strobe into the water and
carried her In his arms to the shore.
That was quite sufficient to stamp
her as a witch. Hezekiah Stonehedse
took the captain of the ship into his
house and wrote down all the informa-
ton he had to impart concerning Abb
gail Rogers. No one knew how she
had got aboard his vessel, for she had
not appeared till the morning after the
ship had sailed. She had bewitched
the sailors, who when she fixed her
eyes on them could not be made to
perform their duties properly. This
Stonehedge considered all the proof
needed.
When the young man set the girl
down on the sand every person who
saw what they considered his enth-al-
ment turned and went up toward the
settlement. fleeing lest they should
themselves come under the spell. Abb
gail wondered what had sent them
away In such hurry. Young Hugh
endeavored to make her aware of the
terrible danger oyerhanging her.
why" he asked, did you put your
self in such jeopardy"
THE good God made me happy" she
replied, land l must be happy"
How did you come to sail for these
shoresT
MY uncle sent me abroad in charge
of a sailor, who hid me-"
"Why did he do that?"
Il don't know"
Come with me to the house In which
I live. There are women there, and
I'll see If I can persuade them to pro-
tect you"
The young man believed that before
the day was spent she would be jailed
and as soon as tried burned at the
stake. He walked beside her to a
cabin. Hezekiah Stonehedge and 9th
ers stood afar watching him. On reach
ing the cabin every woman but one
fed. She, good motherly soul, moth
ing affrighted as the others, took the
girl to her heart and gave her refresh
ment. Just before dark Hezekiah
Stonehedge came, followed by two 9th
ers to assist him, to demand the body
of the witch. Hugh Saltonstall met
him at the door.
'The witch Is not here" said the
young man. "An hour ago we put her
by the chimney to rest. Suddenly there
was gust of wind, and she vanished.
Rushing out of the cabin, | glanced at
the sky. She was not there; but, look
ing below, I saw her going down to
the water with sieve she had taken
from the chimney piece. When she
b. oh ha1