Page:Journal of American Folklore vol. 12.djvu/399

 Notes and Queries. 67

result, she replied : "You jes' wrap yer head up in a warm shawl, honey, an' follow me 'cross de ole fiel' to de ole cem'tery yonder 'mong de pines an' de oaks, an' ole Sylvy will show you how- Youm jes' trus' me, honey, an' come right 'long." Now, the cemetery, or old family burying-ground, such as belonged to all Southern plantations, was about half a mile distant from the " house," that is, the family residence. The weather was cold, and the ground covered with light snow. Now for a week past I had not dared to let any air breathe on me. My friends showed amused smiles, and the children laughed openly. However, I determined to brave the ridicule, and, putting on a stout pair of walking boots, we went together "'cross de ole fiel'," and reached the ground in time to see the setting sun cast red lights on the snow. I was told to kneel down at the foot of a slender pine, facing the blazing sunset. My dusky friend took a sharp knife from her pocket. I began to wish for a companion, but this had been refused, on the ground that it would break the " spell " if any third person were present or aware. I watched with surprise as she quickly made in the tree three deep incisions on the northern side. My guide then bade me drop the shawl and throw back the head. " Now open your mouf, quick, honey ! De blessed sun 's gone down." She cut round the tooth, and deftly transferred the blood from the knife to the tree into the three incisions already made. The bark was then replaced, leaving the trunk apparently unscarred. Then she turned to me, with injunctions to tell no soul of what had been done, and especially to cultivate faith. From that time, I was relieved of the pain, and the tooth has never ached since.

Mrs, L. H. C. Packwood. Maitland, Fla.

Sol Lockheart's Call. — A few words in regard to Sol Lockheart may not be amiss. He is well known in Grovetown, Ga., and its vicinity. He has been in my employ for many years, and during his long term of ser- vice I have never had cause for any complaint. He attends to feeding a large number of mules, horses, and cattle, carries the keys, and has never abused my confidence. He is regarded by all, white and black, as a man of integrity ; is sober, honest, truthful, attentive to his duties, courteous and obliging in manner, and charitable as far as his limited means will admit. Nevertheless he is very superstitious, believes in ghosts, the signs of the moon and stars, does not believe in cunjer. He has odd remedies for diseases ; to wit, having an attack of chills and fever, he took a cotton string, and, after he had three chills, tied three knots in the string, went to the woods, and fastened the string around a persimmon-tree, then turned and walked away; he has not had a return of the disease. He is a licensed preacher, not an ordained one ; that is, he can preach when no ordained minister is present. He is always attired in his purple gown and with bare feet when he preaches at his church, Mt. Pleasant, near Grove- town, Ga. Every year he goes off preaching when the ladder appears to him, and always goes in the direction the ladder points. I have written out his case as he gave it to me ; it is free from what is known as the " negro dialect :" —

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