AMAZING SUPERSTITION.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1544, 26 September 1905, Page 5

AMAZING SUPERSTITION.

Another g I range- instance of the ancient belief in witchcraft has transpired. Ju a Norfolk village near Downham market, a lonely old woman who fell ill being left unattended without food or drink by the neighbors. When she was discovered by a relieving officer her condition was such that the officer deemed the services of a nurse necessary, and in trying to procure ono was astonished at the refusals he met with on all sides. The neighbors alleged that- tlie old woman whs a witch, and several of them declared that they were, or had been, under her uncanny power. After many attcmpls, the officer succeeded in persuading a woman, also in receipt of relief, to look after the woman, but during her first night's vigil the nurse's experiences were such that no money would tempi her to stay any longer. She alleged that the patient, who was probably delirious, conversed with the Evil One. mid that the scenes were terrible to behold, and their talk was of the most appalling character. Another nurse, whom the officer persuaded to slay with the old woman, told a similar story, and at last he secured the services of two women. The patient ultimately died, and after hor death more trouble was experienced in getting the body into ! the coffin, and "Hie officer had to per- ; form that dutv himself. The old; woman in attendance declared that ' among other preparation* found in the. : old woman's cottage were bottles con- ! tabling dragon's blood, herbal concoctions, and other articles popularly associated with witchcraft. I