The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-10-26
The Witching Time

II you ask the Busy Man what
"witchinG time is, he Will frown up
his face and in very loud and positive
tones tell you that he doesn't know,
ana what is more he doesn't care.
Which is to the point. to say tho least.
But Man-grcat. pompous. splendid
Man-from time immcmorial has
sought the counsel of witches in moro
things than the fortune Of his wooing
and the riches of his lifetime Poor.
tortured Macbeth seeking and scarch-
ing ar rasping for what did not
belong to his life. holds with all his
blood stained hands TO the prophecy Of
the three witches and on every page
OF the history of the world. IL YOU will
turn them slowly. one by one you will
find man knecling before the oracle OF
Delphi; offering incense before the al
tars OF strange goddesses; meeting the
Witch OF Endor. ana seeking where the
weird sisters dwell over march and ZEN
and uphill and down dale. II the
Busy Man tells you he is not inter
tsted; don't believe him. he is at that
moment corresponding with an astrolo-
ger whose motto reads something like
the stars incline, but do not com
pcli
Halloween falls on Friday OF this
week and II is witching tirn.. So they
say. 1t is All IIallow Eve and the
spirits OF thc dead and gone lovers and
lovers OF lovers are quoted in legend
ana story as towering about the au-
,unnn hearth reSdy at once TO become
patron saint to any troth that may be
piightcd. There are more stories about
witches that ride the air and broom
sticks. who are created especially 10
rflu l,1 al bod . A.
dine upon hard-heartcd maids who Will
not so much rs glance at their good
and true SWANS, serving faithfully
Tall are the hats. sweeping the red
cloaks and pointed the wauds OF magic
that these old crones of Halloween
wear for this fortun.-tclling time. You
find the most wonderful signs and
potcnts known and related at the
witchlng hour. that is. OF course If you
so TO the haunt OF the witches II the
fire burns low. II II blazes brightly. IL
YOU descend the stairs backwards. If
your true loves fac" looks back into
yours from the mirror you have held
In your hand AT the lowest step OF the
cellar stairs, besides all the apples you
have named and tho first chestnut that
popped and the last candle left burn
ing on the cake. These be parlous
times ana the Busy Man that goes TO
tho witch for his fortune. must FIRST
make sure OF his witch.
The dwelling place Of witches is com
monty reported as being in the midst
OF twilight and shadow, where weird
figures dance in ghostly array about
a burning caldron. The witchinE hour
IL twilight, and some times II is mist
and sometimes IL IL just n fire that
burns red and low and many q man has
come hithcr. his fate and his fortune
TO read at her hands
She Is q witch. indeed. from the tip
OF her scarlet SLIPPERS on the fender
10 the CLINT cf the flames on her gol-
den hair with the future OF not one,
but many busy men. held between the
palms OF her own slender hands. When
they say Bah" about All Hallow Eve
ana out upon feast days OF all kinds
Know. oh, Woman OF Understanding,
that his fortune has been read and II
was not to his liking For the heroes
az all the ages have sought out by
signs and divers meanings OF many
things, the way Of the future and the
confirmation OF the past. and their
eyes Were an open book for the sor-
ccrer and soothsayer who would know
his soul. In such Il spirit OF soothing.
have they turned upon their women
kind and demanded to know tho where
fore OF her superstition and The alb
surdity or her foolish babbl!ug The
witchug hour has found him. or left
HIM. and whatever else may be said
or known 10 the contrary the Busy
Man Will seek counsel OF tho stars or
the bright burning fire. wherever the
witch dwells. when his day shall dawn
and his desires reach out for guidance
as 10 the vastness uneXplored that
stretches before his world blinded eyes.
BRENT WITT