Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-02-17
THE WITCH OF
DAHLGREN
A Witch IN Fancy. but MOI
In Fact
By CLARIsSA MACKIE

The three travelling men drew closer
around the hot stove In the parlor of
the little hotel at Dahlgren, Pa. Ben
ton, the cigar salesman. was contin-
uing u conversation that had begun at
the supper table short while before.
Gentlemen" he said impressively,
II know 1t sounds mighty ishy. but l
actually did see what they call The
Witch of Dahlgren!"
"whenT' asked Cooper, the clothing
drummer,
ION my last trip to this forlorn
hole" was Benton's caustic reply.
"And that was?"-
Last April It's short story. Want
to hear about it?"
Eyes. go ahead" urged the third
member OF the group, Joel Clifford.
who represented great wholesale
grocery house, he was a tall. good
looking, quiet sort OF man. well liked
everywhere. There had been trag-
edy in his life which many had guess
ed at. but few knew the real facts In
the case
Benton passed the cigars around and
lighted one for himself.
Nov. gentlemen" he began, please
understand that shall not feel in the
least offended II you do not believe
what | am about to tell you. but it
really happened to me in this town.
Last April | arrived here In the regu-
lar course of my travels and put up at
this same hotel was the only guest
that night. and after supper got to
talking with our host. whom you may
have sized up to be Just what he is
a narrow minded country pumpkin"
You're right" agreed Cooper
promptly.
Joel Clifford smiled and shook his
head. 81 can't express an opinion.
Benton, because haven't seen the
chap. This Is the first time I've COW
cred this territory"
"You haven't missed much in not
making his acquaintance" growled
Benton. continuing his narrative. "As
said. fell into conversation with
Linden and asked him question that
had been on the tip of my tongue for
several hours-in fact. ever since had
heard a woman threatening her chill
dren with the wrath of the old witch
on the crossroads. You certainly
haven't got witch in this common
place town.? asked him jokingly.
"For moment he was silent, and
then he stroked his long black beard
and muttered: We certainly have, Mr..
Benton. The crossroads is a good place
to keep away from
"'Why?' demanded.
Do az
there who can work charm or cast
an evil spell over anybody. Man.
know III! And the old fellow got quite
excited.
".You're joking. Bill Linden
laughed.
"He scowled like the villain that he
must be from his looks. Mr. Benton,
when | tell you that that woman has
ruined my life you'll understand that
know what I'm talking about. She
ought to have been hanged years ago
that's the way they did with the
witches in the olden days. If had
my way she'd hang high now!' And
he fell to muttering to himself and
cursing.
"'Guess I'll go and have look at
her. ! said half Jokingly.
You better not l was warned
She keeps gun and winged Mason
Smith when he got drunk one day and
attacked her house. Just opened her
window and took aim. and Mason
went around with his arm In sling
for three months after that
"'Is she an old woman?' I asked.
Must be- was the reply. Hair as
white as snow
"'Where did she come fromr in
quired.
Nobody knows. Suddenly appear
ed in that little deserted house on the
crossroads about FIVE years ago. New
er comes out in daytime. but I've seen
her face at the window. and some say
that she rides at night on a snow white
horse. | don't know whether to be-
lieve that or not
You might as well believe the
whole thing while you're about it, my
friend l grinned at him. and / i'm
mediately went down to the crossroads
and took stroll along the lonely way
that cut through dense woods. Why.
they must be back of this hotelw
Benton paused to relight his cigar
and to marvel for a moment on the
idea that had just taken possession of
him. Then he resumed: About a mile
down the road saw a lonely little
house-more Of cabin than house
set back In the woods and overgrown
TO the very door with underbrush.
Smoke curled from the chimney. and
was staring at the windows when all
at once face appeared at one of them.
could not see whether she was young
or old. but the face was white as o
sheet and on either side of It hung
two heavy braids of snow white hair.
The great dark eyes were turned to.
ward me. and two arms were lifted
either in supplication or malediction.
"For an instant was rooted to the
spot. and then I rubbed my eyes In
.Wbnderment. for suddenly she jerked
backward. almost as II some one was
behind her compelling her away from
the window. She disappeared from
view. and walked on. quite convinc-