Notable Excerpts

There is a pleasant belief on South Mountain that any one who desires in a business way to make a regular contract, can go and sell himself to the Evil One. To be sure, we have often noticed in Washington [County] and elsewhere, that there was every appearance, if not legal evidence, of a similar contract being made. Yet we were not aware that the were accredited in red-tape form to their real source. But mountain air being very blue and transparent, we are more apt to have the essence of facts, stripped of courtly disguises. An instance was narrated to us which explains quite clearly the modus operandi in such cases.

Sallie S., a rattling young girl, who lived on the hills between South-Mountain-House and Myersville, took fancy in her foolish young noodle that is would be "great fun" to be a witch. Thereupon she went to Granny H., and wait to her,-

"Granny, I've come to have you make me a witch."

"Now, Sallie, do you really want to be a witch, for sure and certain?"

"Yes, Granny; for sure and certain."

"Well, them, you must wait till Friday. Then, when you get up, don't wash your face, but come to see me by high noon, and I promise you shall see the old gentleman."

Let the reader mark the respectful epithet,-"the old gentleman!"

These injunctions were carefully complied with, and the unwashed, unkempt damsel presented herself at midday at the hut of Granny H.

Soon after she got there a little old man came in and at once accosted the young girl.

"So you want to have a trade with me, eigh?"

Somewhat frightened at his brusque manner, she timidly answered,-

"Yes."

Then said he, "Sit down on the floor, put one hand on top of your head and the other hand on the soles of your feet, and say - 'All that is between my two hands belongs to the Devil.'"

So the girl sat down on the floor, did as she was bid, and said, "All that is between my two hands belongs to God."

At this unexpected termination the old man gave a hideous howl, like the bark of a dog, and vanished. But he left the room so filled with sickening gases, that the poor child swooned away; and the old witch being very angry, picked her up and threw her, insensible as she was, out in the yard in front of the house. Here the open air revived her. But we are assured that she never went to see Granny H. anymore, nor has she since then ever had any wish to become a witch.