The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1928-05-25

eAs-&t~ =
the snake In the barrel3'
It was the old man, her uncle, who
enlightened nae.
'They say she sent sickness to
Oscar Kluck's white horse" he trem-
ulously explained. oscar Kluck came
here this morning early and asked me
to pay four pounds for the hurt done
the animal. had no money"
He was good boss, my white one.
| refused four pounds for him." cried
Kluck. Now she's spoiled him--the
did spawnr
Some one tugged my elbow. II was
Cr0mit. His face was weak from
fear, and his voice trembled as he
whispered:
"Tve been looking at the white
horse. ! know horses. He's old and
ougllter be shot, He was never worth
four pounds. -Four sl.illings would be
nearer" He scuttled back to the
Onondaga. The cripple was speaking
IF she confesses and promises
never to do It again. shall she be left
unharmed?"
'I.et her say she is a witch and
then leave the valley this day, never
to come back, and she shant be
whipped" q man promised
But can't CO." walled the girl.
"Who would take care of my uncle?
The dear God knows | would gladly
go and never look toward this place
again II my uncle could go with me II
"Neyer mind me, little Elsie. You
must not be whipped" groaned her
uncle.
.Teach the id brat we can break
her spells!' screamed woman.
"She threatens us With the devils
powerl She. should be burned and
her ashes scattered at midnight"
loudly declared man In English but
speaking with thick accent.
interp0sed: Enough. There will
be no burning, nor whipping. she is
scarcely more than girl. You PEG
pie talk like crazy folks"
"And who be you. mister, to come
to Der Hexenkopf and say what we'll
do and what we won't?" a woman
fiercely demanded of me.
Il am recruiting for Braddock's
army. Three pounds sterling to every
mani who enlists. A fine red coat and
tine new musket. This man beside
me is Balsar Cromit from AZ Dowell's
mill. He has enlisted. My red friend
back there Is an Onondaga Indian. He
will bring an ak in his hand If | call.
I have this rife, which makes good
club. The young woman shall moi
be whipped"
"Horoor! No whipping r. yelled
Cr0mit, and he stretched forth bis
half-closed hands and began turning
on his heel 10 search Of any who
might, care to argue the point more
intimately.
had no intention Of getting into
rough-and-tumble fight with the set.
tiers, so threw up he<rife and held
them back. While they were hud.
died together the Onondaga let out q
war-whoop and came charging up the
hill. bounding high and swinging his
ak. The women screamed and fell
back; the men forgot me to cover the
retreat of the women. yelled for the
Indian to halt and for the settlers to
listen. When ] had secured their at.
tention | said:
drop back bit and let me talk
with the woman alone. This is no
place for either her or her uncle. Per.
haps 1t can be arranged for both to
leave this valley"
With much grumbling and many
loud threats they accepted the truce
and retired some distance down the
hill. Cromit and the Onondaga had
no wish to draw closer to the cabin.
SO went to the f0rlorn couple alone.
The man was seated on a log, leaning
forward By resting on his canes, and
breathing heavily. His eyes we're bulg-
ing in fashion | did not like. The
girl glared at me, unable to believe
could be friend. yet puzzled at my
defiance of her neighbors.
"You have nothing to fear from me,
child" told her.
"Childl" she bitterly repeated. SIN
an old woman. stopped being a
child when very small. My mother
was pretty. Till they called her
witch her hair was as brown as mine.
My father went over the mountains.
where no one had been, and never
came back. That was when was a
baby. My uncle lived here with as
and supplied US with meat. Then
they called my mother a witch, and
she died.
(To BE coNTINUED.)