io: 



PASTORAL DAYS. 



said she was crazy ; others said she was a witch ; but whatever she may 

 have been, this aged dame was picturesque with her bent figure, her long 

 white hair and scarlet hood. And who shall describe the ancient with- 

 ered face that looked out from the shadow of that hood, the small .gray 



eyes and heavy white eyebrows, 

 the toothless jaws "and receding 

 lips, and massive chin that made 

 its appalling ascent across the 





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face ? But I cannot describe that face : 

 think of how a witch should look, and old Hul- 

 dy's features will rise up before you. She knew 

 every herb that grew, but her great stand-by was "sweet- 

 fern :" she smoked it, she chewed it, she drank it, and even 

 wore a little bag of it around her neck, "to charm away the rheumatiz." 

 Since her time, however, the sweet-fern has had a chance to recuperate, 

 and, as far as we can see along the road, the banks are covered with it ; 

 and there's a clump of teazles in its midst ! I wonder if that old carding- 

 mill still stands. You also, perhaps, will wonder what relation can exist 



