Aunt Harriet has a theory that she had been tricked by a woman of whom her husband of that time was unduly fond, and that the faithless husband had returned the seeds to their original owner.  A part of the scheme of conjuration is that the conjure doctor can remove the spell and put it back upon the one who laid it.  I was unable to learn, however, of any instance where this extreme penalty had been insisted upon.

It is seldom that any of these old Negroes will admit that he or she possesses the power to conjure, though those who can remove spells are very willing to make their accomplishment known, and to exercise it for a consideration.  The only professional conjure doctor whom I met was old Uncle Jim Davis, with whom I arranged a personal interview.  He came to see me one evening, but almost immediately upon his arrival a minister called.  The powers of light prevailed over those of darkness, and Jim was dismissed until a later time, with a commission to prepare for me a conjure “hand” or good luck charm, of which, he informed some of the children about the house, who were much interested in the proceedings.  I was very much in need.  I subsequently secured the charm, for which, considering its potency, the small sum of silver it cost me was no extravagant outlay.  It is a very small bag of roots and herbs, and, if used according to directions, is guaranteed to insure me good luck and “keep me from losing my job.”  The directions require it to be wet with spirits nine mornings in succession, to be carried on the person, in a pocket on the right hand side, care being taken that it does not come in contact with any tobacco.  When I add that I procured, from an equally trustworthy source, a genuine graveyard rabbit’s foot, I would seem to be reasonably well protected against casual misfortune.  I shall not, however, presume upon this immunity, and shall omit no reasonable precaution which the condition of my health or my affairs may render prudent.

An interesting conjure story, which I heard, involves the fate of a lost voice.  A certain woman’s lover was enticed away by another woman, who sang very sweetly, and who, the jilted one suspected, had told lies about her.  Having decided upon the method of punishment for this wickedness, the injured woman watched the other closely, in order to find a suitable opportunity for carrying out her purpose; but in vain, for the fortunate one, knowing of her enmity, would never speak to her or remain near her.  One day the jilted woman plucked a red rose from her garden, and hid herself in the bushes near her rival’s cabin.  Very soon an old woman came by, who was accosted by the woman in hiding, and requested to hand the red rose to the woman of the house.  The old woman, suspecting no evil, took the rose and approached the house, the other woman following her closely, but keeping herself always out of sight.  When the old woman, having reached the door and called out the mistress of the house, delivered the rose as requested,