The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-03-21
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
THE WITCH OF
DAHLGREN
A Witch In Fancy, but Not
In Fact
By CLARISSA MACKIE
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 conversation that had begun a,
the supper table a short while before.
Gentlemen" he said impresslvely
81 know Il sounds mighty fishy. but
actually did see what they call The
Witch OF Dahlgrenr"
"WhenT" asked Cooper, the clothing
drummer
ION my last trip 10 this forlorn
hole was Benton's caustic reply.
"And that wasT'-
"Last April It's short story. Want
to hear about it?"
"Yes. go ahead" urged the third
member OF the group. Joel Clifford.
who represented a great wholesale
grocery house He was 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.
| DtulOu DdeStu the ClSdlS diOuhu anu
lighted one for himself.
snow, gentlemen" he began. please
understand that shall not feel in the
least offended IL you do not believe
what am about TO tell you. but 1t
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. II 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. las
l said. / fell into conversation with
Linden and asked him a question that
had been on the tip of my tongue for
several hours-in fact, ever since had
heard woman threatening her chill
dren with the wrath OF the old witch
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 good place
to keep away from.
"'WhyT l demanded.
"'Becarse there is an old woman
there who can work a charm or cast
an eyh spell over anybody. Man. l
know It! And the old fellow got quite
excited.
you're joking. Bill Linden i
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 IL had
my way she'd hang high nowr And
he fell to mutterlng to himself and
cursing.
Guess I'll go and have a look at
her. l said half jokingly.
You better not / 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 a sling
for three months after that
rs she an old woman I asked.
Must be- was the reply. Hair as
white as snow
"'Where did she come from? 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 saw
that she rides at night on a snow white
horse. ] don't know whether to be-
lieve that or not
You might ms well believe the
whole thing while you're about 1t. 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 moment on the
idea that had just taken possession or
him. Then he resumed: About a mile |
down the road ] saw lonely little |
house-more OF cabin than a 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 "a a |
sheet and on either side OF IL 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 10 the
spot, and then | rubbed my eyes in
wonderment. for suddenly she jerked
almost MS IL some one was
behind her comnelIinO her N xv,v fro,,, |