Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-04-30
THE WITCH OF
DAHLGREN
A Witch In Fancy. but No.
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 a conversation that had begun al
the supper table short while before.
Gentlemen" he said impressively
II know it sounds mighty fishy, but
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 a short story. Want
to hear about it?"
"Yes. 30 ahead" urged the third
member Of the group, Joel Clifford
who represented great wholesale
grocery house He was q tall, good
looking. quiet sort Of man, we'll liked
everywhere. There had been Il trag
edy In his life which many had guess
ed Mt, but few knew the real facts In
the case.
Benton passed the cigars around and
lighted one for himself.
Now, gentlemen" he began. please
understand that l shall not feel in the
least offended II you do not believe
what l am about to tell you. but II
really happened to me in this town
Last April arrived here in the regu
lar course of my travels and put up al
this same hotel. I was the only guest
that night. and after supper l 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 bis
head II can't express an opinion
Benton. because ! haven't seen the
chap. This Is the first time I've Gov
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 fol
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 q witch in this common
place town. l asked him jokingly.
"FOr q moment he was silent, and
then he stroked his long black beard
and muttered: we certainly have, Mr.
Benton. The crossroads Is q good place
to keep away from
"'Why?' demanded.
"Because there is an old woman
there who can work a charm or cas-,
an evil spell over anybody. Man,
know itr 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 thnt 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. II had
my way she'd hang high now! And
he fell to muttering to himself and
cursing.
"'Guess I'll go and have look al
her. said half jokingly.
"'You better not, I was warned
She keeps a 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
"Ts she an old woman asked.
"'Afust 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 say
that she rides ut night on q 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 1t, my
friend grinned at him. and / i'm
mediately went down to the crossroads
and took a stroll along the lonely way
that cut through dense woods. Why
they must be back Of this hotel!"
Benton paused to relight his cigar
and to marvel for q moment on the
idea that had Just taken possession Of
him. Then he resumed: "AbOut mile
down the road l saw lonely little
house-mOre Of q cabin than house
| vet back III the woods and overgrowr
to the very door with underbrush
Smoke curled from the chimney. and
| was staring at the windows when al
at once q face appeared at one Of them
| could not see whether she was young
or old. but the face was white as q
sheet and on either side Of 1t 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 l was rooted to the
spot, and then I rubbed my eyes ir
wonderment, for suddenly she jerket
backward. almost as If some one wal
behind her compelling her away from
the window. She disappeared from
view. ard I walked on. quite convinc
ed that the appariiiJa I had seen wal
that Of some crazcd person. Neverthe
less there was au air of mystery abor
the whole matter. and the village gos
sip conc arning tne 80 called witch de
termined me to stroll urcuLd there lat'
In the evening. ! did 50 near mid
night and was rewarded by u strang'
sight.
Just as puu:ed In front of tn
little house. which | could locate oniy
Lby u CLINT Of light from one curtainet
window. heard the trampling Of
horses hOofs and there broke from th'
tangled growth In front Of the house
dim white shape that knew to b'
horse and suggestion Of dim Whit
above that I was convinced must b.
the face aud hair of the witch Of Dahl
gren. Beside her rode black bull
that must have been another rider Of
|.a black horse, and for the instant