I used to think that the dread of witchcraft had disappeared with our superstitious forefathers, and that in this enlightened age the uncanny arts had ceased to cast their terrorizing influence over the credulous crowd. But, if I am to believe a story which was recently communicated to me by a country cousin, it would appear, that it only requires the occurrence of an unusual incident to revive the old superstitious spirit.
The household of a crofter in the Parish of Fyvie was recently thrown into a feverish state of excitement by a supposed visitation of the gentleman with the cloven foot. His lordship did not choose the “very witching hour” for his little escapade, but actually executed his “springs and flings” without the accompanying chorus of ghaists and hoolets. The incident occurred on Saturday, and took a somewhat remarkable form.
The crockery in the house – presumably inspired by the grim music of the “toosie tyke” – was seized with an irresistible desire to execute “artistic circles,” which culminated in a general “break down.” “Braw-pented bowls, baith big and bonnie,” tureens, ashets, broth plates, and cogies lay on the floor a broken ‘harl,’ and even the weather glass, which had ‘risen’ in the high temperature, was added to the general smash. The neighbourhood was at once aroused, and a messenger was despatched for an old worthy, who is supposed to hold converse with the air, and to whom the ‘eerie’ ones trusted to conquer the evil spirit. ‘Auld Scarie,’ ‘however, was not to be found; and some of the more practical summoned a policeman. The representative of the law, untrammelled by supernatural fears, at once took in the situation and afterwards the servant girl, who subsequently paid the piper in the form of ’10s or imprisonment for a week.’ – Rambler.
Aberdeen Evening Express, 15th January 1885.