256 



THE STORMCOCK. 



his pleasure-grounds : they are of quick growth, 

 and they soon produce an abundance of berries. 



Whilst the fruit of these trees affords a delicious 

 autumnal repast to the stormcock, the branches 

 which bear the berries are well known to be an 

 effectual preservative against the devilish spells of 

 witchcraft. In the village of Walton I have two 

 small tenants : the name of one is James Simpson, 

 that of the other Sally Holloway ; and Sally's house 

 stands a little before the house of Simpson. Some 

 three months ago I overtook Simpson on the turnpike 

 road, and I asked him if his cow were getting better^ 

 for his son had told me she had fallen sick. " She 's 

 coming on surprising!}^, Sir," quoth he. " The last 

 time that the cow-doctor came to see her, ^ Jem,* 

 said he to me, looking earnestly at old Sally's house, 

 * Jem,' said he, ' mind and keep your cow-house 

 door shut before the sun goes down, otherwise I 

 won't answer what may happen to the cow.' — ' Ay, 

 ay, my lad,' said I, ' I understand your meaning ; 

 but I am up to the old slut, and I defy her to do me 

 any harm now.'" — " And what has old Sally been 

 doing to you, James ? " said I. — " Why, Sir," replied 

 he, " we all know, too well, what she can do. She 

 has long owed me a grudge ; and my cow, which 

 was in very good health, fell sick immediately after 

 Sally had been seen to look in at the door of the 

 cow-house^ just as night was coming on. The cow 

 grew worse and worse ; and so I went and cut a 

 bundle of wiggin (mountain-ash), and I nailed the 

 branches all up and down the cow-house ; and, 

 Sir, you may see them there if you will take the 



