The Witch’s Ring

Northern Advocate, 4 January 1938, Page 2

The Witch’s Ring

- A miller of Mayfield had three sons, who all fell in love with the same girl, Her name was Marjorie, and she was the daughter of a farmer at the Rotherlield. and the prettiest maiden in Sussex. But a rich old miser who lived in the village began to court her. and the farmer favoured his suit and Rent the miller's sons away.

At last Richard, the eldest son. determined to propose to Marjorie before the miser won her. On his way to the farm lie met Mad Molly. She was a a old. feeble woman, suspected of being a witch.

■‘Good-day, my son," said Mad Molly Where are you going this morning?’

Richard hurried on without replying. On reaching the farm he blurted out a proposal of marriage, but Marjorie only laughed at him.

Rowland, the second son. then tried his luck. He also met Mad Molly and hurried on without answering her. and he, also, returned in a downcast mood. Then Robin, the youngest boy. went to the farm. But he set out without hope. He was a strong, clever and gentle lad. but ho had a very long nose, and this, lie knew, made him look ridiculous. When Mad Molly asked him where he was going, he said: "On a hopeless errand, Granny. I am about to call on Marjorie and ask her to be my wife." "And your wife she shall be," said Mad Molly. “Look at this ring, my son. Put it on your finger and say ‘Bless it!’ ’’

Robin did so. and his nose grew half an inch shorter, and he became a very handsome youth.

"Now." said Mad Molly, "if Marjorie refuses you,-give her the ring to wear. Then every time you say “Drat icl” her pretty nose will grow half an inch longer and she will become very ugly and very glad, to marry you. Then you have only to say ‘Bless it!’ and her nose will grow shorter and she will recover her beauty."

Retain ran to the farmhouse, and, as Marjorie was out, he sat in a chair and closed his eyes. Just then the miser entered and saw the ring on his finger.

“An engagement ring,” he said. “I’ll keep that.”

He pulled it off Robin's finger and put it on his own. But Rpbin was awake and he began to whisper. “Drat il! drat it!” and as he said these words the miser's nose grew long r and longer.

“Something is stinging me!” cried the miser, running off to a doctor. “My nose is swelling frightfully!” ! Happily. Robin did not want his ring any more. Marjorie was surprised to see how handsome he looked. She had always liked him for his gentleness, and she now fell quite in love with him, and agreed lo marry him as soon as he got a farm. “Return my ring and I’ll cure you for one thousand pounds,” said Robin to the miser when he came back. The miser at last did so. and Robin and Marjorie then married and bought a farm, and lived there very happily together.