Folk Religion of the Pennsylvania Dutch: Witchcraft, Faith Healing and Related Practices by Richard L.T. Orth

Author:Richard L.T. Orth
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Published: 2018-01-10T00:00:00+00:00

FIRST VISIT TO PHILADELPHIA

Fall had come, and work on Leinbach’s farm was light and it could be done by Father Leinbach and his two sons. Theodore went to the farmer and asked him whether he could go to Philadelphia and spend a few days there: for he was curious to know if news of his dear parents and brothers, for whom he still had love in his heart, had come to Pastor Muhlenberg’s; as there was no post between Oley and Philadelphia, he had all his letters addressed to Philadelphia.

When he entered the farmer’s house to present his request, the farmer was sitting at his table, writing. Becoming aware of Theodore’s presence, he arose and, in a friendly manner, asked what the young man wanted. “I want,” he answered, “to ask you, Father Leinbach, whether you will let me go to Philadelphia and spend several days there?” “Surely, my son,” was the good-hearted man’s answer. “You have served me well so far. You are industrious and prudent, and more, you brought my boys, who were inclined to mischief, to take joy in work, to adopt everything with diligence, so that I have to praise you and give you thanks. Go, with God. And be assured that if you go on serving me well for some time yet, you need not be sorry your entire life. You may go to Philadelphia, if you wish. And you may spend an entire week there. When do you wish to leave?” “Friday morning, if it be possible, very early. For I want to reach Philadelphia early Sunday morning. It still is two days before my departure, and I shall use them to get the harvest work on the farm done so that the boys, who are still somewhat young, will not have it too hard.” “Good,” Leinbach said. “Come to my room Thursday evening, and I shall pay you your salary up to the day of your departure. For when you get to Philadelphia you will have all sorts of needs for which you will have to have money, and no one is going to be able to say that I sent my Knecht to Philadelphia a beggar.” Moved, the young man took Leinbach’s hand and thanked him with heartfelt words.

The morning that Theodore had chosen for his departure was one of the more glorious days that, at this time of year, the end of October, are to be found anywhere in the world; these days and those of early November are called “Indian Summer” by the people. The young man was already prepared for the journey, as he had taken leave of his friends the evening before, and he wanted to put a goodly piece of road behind him by evening. Longing drove him toward Philadelphia, where he hoped to be received with joy. With a dry hickory stick, and a bundle under his arm, he started down the footpath that led over a hill behind the barn when a voice called out,

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