The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-07-08
Revelations
Ofu Wife
How Madse Tried to Danish katie's
Strange Old World Superstition.
BY ADELE GARRISON.

/ did not know whether to be an
cry at Katie or sorry for her, when
she told me that she must leave my
service if Diekys mother came, be-
cause she did not dare to sleep in
the house with an old woman.
Katie evidently knew what she was
talking about, but 1 confessed to my
self that 1 was thoroughly bewildered.
I have had many curious experiences
with the mental twists of alien girls
of Katies class, but this was some
thing new.
what do you mean, Katie?" I
asked, finally. What harm can it
possibly do you to sleep in the house
with an old woman"
Katie shuddered visibly.
ooh, Missis Graham, don't you know
old women dem turn into witches.
make charms over you, next morn
ing you all dead? 4 no sleep in house
with my own mudder when she get
real old.
"Katie, you are talking the most
ridiculous nonsesense," l said sharply,
alarmed at the gross ignorance and
superstition the girl displayed. A
person holding such ideas as hers
was really undesirable in ones home.
"You no tinlS dot7 Katie queried
anxiously.
"Of course not" replied. Neither
does anybody else who has any COM
mon sense. Wherever did you pick
up such foolish ideas?"
Lots of girls and women in my
town say So" Katie returned sui
lenly.
L had a sudden inspiration. Listen
to me, Katie" 1 said firmly, trying to
choose words which she would I'M
derstand. WHO were the biggest
men in your town, the smartest, the
ones the rest of the people tried to
be like?"
Katie looked at me as if she
thought I had suddenly gone insane.
"Why, the priest and the doctor and
the"
"You don't need to tell me any
more" I interrupted her. did your
priest or your doctor ever tell you
want to speak to you about getting
old women turned into witches?"
her reluctantly I knew the power
of these Old-world superstitions and
resolved to say no more about the |
matter for while.
1--WE will talk more about this later. |
hatle, L SAID calmly. just no"
the apartment in perfect order 50 |
when Mrs. Graham comes she will |
think I have had a good little house,
keeper.
Katie smiled brightly. 81 feex 500
nice" she said heartily. 'Vat you
want me to clean first?"
What Will Dieky Say?
Lets take all the corners and |
closets first" I suggested. I had all
the horror of the average young /
for the criticism of an
older woman. take everything off
the pantry shelves"-I indicated the |
tiny closet which was just big enough |
for our small ice box, with a set of !
shelves and drawers opposite-"andl
everything out of the drawers. Then |
wash and dry the shelves and draw
ers thoroughly. When you get ready /
to put the things back. call me.
There may be some things I will want
to throw away, or something l need
to buy"
"All right, Misses Graham. I feex."
The CHEEKY, familiar phrase fol-
lowed me only a short time. but she
was so efficient, so CHEEKY. so willing.
that housekeeping had been an easy |
task with her I dreaded unutterably |
either trying the homework myself |
Or breaking in a new maid under the /
critical eye of Dicky's mother.
/ wondered >,hat Dicky would say
10 Katie's detection. He had insisted