THE
WITCH HYPNOTIZER

BY

ZENA A. MAHER

PUBLISHED FOR THE AUTHOR

SAN FRANCISCO
THE BANCROFT COMPANY
1892

COPYRIGHT, 1892
BY
ZENA A. MAHER

Issued from the Press of
THE BANCROFT COMPANY

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

• I.
• II.
• III.
• IV.
• V.
• VI.
• VII.
• VIII.
• IX.
• X.
• XI.
• XII.
• XIII.
• XIV.
• XV.
• XVI.
• XVII.
• XVIII.
• XIX.
• XX.
• XI.
• XXII.
• XXIII.
• XXIV.
• XXV.
• XXVI.

THE WITCH HYPNOTIZER

  CHAPTER I.

In the world of imagination many Witches have lived and died since the one of whose existence and wonders I am about to relate, came into prominence.

She lived quite alone in a little cottage on the outskirts of a large city in America, of course, and why should not the free soil produce all sorts when it is the dumping ground for all creation?

Alone, with the exception of her dog and several cages of canaries which, by the way, were a new departure in the line of pets, for the old-time Witches were supposed to favor cats and parrots, she commanded the respect of all, but there was something so very peculiar about her that some of her more superstitious neighbors looked upon this woman as a kind of good Witch.

There was nothing remarkable about her personal appearance and the peculiarity was not visibly noticeable. It was nothing tangible, but an indescribable something which gave her influence over other minds, to bend them to her will.

Every one felt this more or less in her presence; a giving up of pet hobbies, even, to her ideas, which fortunately were very liberal.

There was that also about her sympathetic nature which invited confidence, and many who were not given to complaining found themselves, they hardly knew why, telling her their secret sorrows.

For years this Witch or woman was herself unconscious of this power, but when she fully realized it, her work to her conscientious heart was laid out, and that must be in doing all the good possible through this genius that was hers.

She had always endeavored to do her best, ever ready to lend a helping hand to any one in trouble.

  CHAPTER II.

While attending to her birds one morning, the Witch was interrupted by a knock at the door and a summons from one of her neighbors, who had sent a child to ask if this good soul would come over.

Yes, she would be there directly.

Donning her sombre colored bonnet and shawl the Witch started for her neighbor's. The unhappy little woman craved sympathy, and had sent for her who knew so well how to render it.

She told the oft-repeated story of a