Holidays at the Grange; or, A Week's Delight: Games and Stories for Parlor and FiresideHiggins, Emily Mayer
General
Holidays at the Grange; or, A Week's Delight: Games and Stories for Parlor and Fireside
Higgins, Emily Mayer
Amusements -- Juvenile literature; Children's stories; Indoor games -- Juvenile literature
On the last day of their intended stay, an incident occurred which
furnished a proper termination to their frolic. A rough, boorish fellow
came to visit them, who evidently "hailed" from remote country
districts, into which the civilizing influences of education had not
penetrated. All his utterances, for his words should scarcely be
dignified with the name of conversation, showed him to be ignorant in
the extreme, and to be credulous in proportion. He had come to New York,
hoping, in that centre of light and science, medical and theological, to
find relief from a certain demon which possessed him. This wicked spirit
made him often do things he didn't wish to do--caused him to foam at the
mouth, tear his clothes, etc., and he wanted to know whether the
Wanderer was not possessed of a spell to quiet the tormentor.
"Certainly; follow our directions, and you never shall be troubled with
him again."
Accordingly, the patient was brought into the back room, which had been
darkened up purposely. A circle was described, within which incense was
burnt, and in the centre stood the Awful One in his flowing robe, with
his magical wand in his hand, uttering terrible conjurations. "Do you
feel any thing?" he would occasionally ask the countryman, who was
gaping with wonder and admiration. "N--no, I dunna that I do," the man
would reply. "Then it has not left you yet: you'll be sure to know when
it does. You'll feel a sort of shock go all through you, and will see
sparks: then open your mouth wide, and the spirit will jump out." As it
was some time before the sufferer obtained relief, Selim was called to
his aid; and the way in which their Latin and Greek orations were tossed
about at one another, would have astonished the Professors. At last the
Wanderer placed the patient upon a stool, and proceeded with his
incantations. Suddenly the countryman uttered a shriek, and jumping into
the air, cut a pigeon-wing. "He's gone! I felt him go!" He had touched
the electrical machine, which had been fully charged, and was put there,
as it were, in ambush. "Do you feel much better?" "Yes; I'm another
man."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account