Page:Visits from the world of spirits (NLS104185233).pdf/8

8 to take up the family-bible, which lay on a table, and turn over to a certain chapter and verse in the second book of Kings. The student did so, and read—'There is death in the pot.'

On this the old man, with much apparent agitation, pointed to the great family pot boiling on the fire, declaring that the maid had cast a great quantity of arsenic into it, with intent to poison the whole family, to the end she might rob the house of the hundred guineas which she knew her master had lately taken for sheep and grain which he had sold. Just as he was so saying, the maid came to the door, announcing her approach by the noise of the nails in her shoe heels.—The old gentleman said to the student, Remember my warning, and save the lives of the family!'—and that instant disappeared.

The maid entered with a smilling countenance, emptied her pail, and returned to the well for a fresh supply. Meanwhile, young Lilly put some oatmeal into a wooden dish, skimined the pot of the fat, and inixed it for what is called brose or croudy, and when the maid returned, he, with the boy, appeared busily employed in eating the mixture 'Come Peggy,' said the student, 'here is enough left for you; are not you fond of croudy?' She smiled, took up the dish, and reaching a horn spoon, withdrew to the back room. The shepherd's dog followed her, unseen by the boy, and the