"
"I'll do so; but God forgive you for disturbin' me in my devotions, as
you did. It's not often I'd give them up for any one; but sure out of
regard for the proprietor o' the town I'd do that, and more for you."
"Here," replied Woodward, putting some silver into his hand, "let that
console you; and tell your niece when you see her that I am a good
paymaster; and, if I should stand in need of your skill, you shall find
me so, too. Good-night, and may your prayers be powerful, as I know they
come from a Christian heart, honest Solomon."
CHAPTER XI. A Conjurer's Levee.
We cannot form at this distance of time any adequate notion of the
influence which a conjurer of those days exercised over the minds and
feelings of the ignorant. It was necessary that he should be, or be
supposed at least to be, well versed in judicial astrology, the use of
medicine, and consequently able to cast a nativity, or cure any earthly
complaint. There is scarcely any grade or species of superstition that
is not associated with or founded upon fear. The conjurer, consequently,
was both feared and respected; and his character appeared in different
phases to the people--each phase adapted to the corresponding character
of those with whom he had to deal.
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