Vanessa Richardson

Luckily, this particular request triggered Mrs. Greenwood's better judgment. She realized Mary was tricking her and walked away. Maybe a little humiliated, but somewhat wiser too. Mary's next victims wouldn't be so lucky. Barzillai Stead was a nervous man. After failing in the business world, he worried that his creditors would soon come to his door, seeking money he didn't have.

Luckily, this particular request triggered Mrs. Greenwood's better judgment. She realized Mary was tricking her and walked away. Maybe a little humiliated, but somewhat wiser too. Mary's next victims wouldn't be so lucky. Barzillai Stead was a nervous man. After failing in the business world, he worried that his creditors would soon come to his door, seeking money he didn't have.

With nowhere else to turn, Barzillai brought his concerns to Mary. Of course, she had little interest in helping him find solutions to his problems. True to form, Mary exploited Barzillai's fears, charged him for mystical advice, and then convinced him to join the army. But like every great magician, Mary was a master of misdirection. As it happened, Barzillai wasn't her main priority.

With nowhere else to turn, Barzillai brought his concerns to Mary. Of course, she had little interest in helping him find solutions to his problems. True to form, Mary exploited Barzillai's fears, charged him for mystical advice, and then convinced him to join the army. But like every great magician, Mary was a master of misdirection. As it happened, Barzillai wasn't her main priority.

The real subject of her latest scheme was the desperate man's pregnant wife, who we'll call Roberta. Shortly after convincing Barzillai to enlist, Mary told Roberta that her husband was having an affair. She claimed to know that Barzillai had impregnated this woman and that he would soon run away with her. Roberta was mortified and heartbroken.

The real subject of her latest scheme was the desperate man's pregnant wife, who we'll call Roberta. Shortly after convincing Barzillai to enlist, Mary told Roberta that her husband was having an affair. She claimed to know that Barzillai had impregnated this woman and that he would soon run away with her. Roberta was mortified and heartbroken.

Naturally, Mary promised her that mystical intervention was the answer to her woes. To seal the deal, Mary called in the help of Mrs. Moore. Mary told Roberta that Mrs. Moore would screw down Barzilai's lover so she was no longer in the picture. But it could only happen if Roberta paid three crowns.

Naturally, Mary promised her that mystical intervention was the answer to her woes. To seal the deal, Mary called in the help of Mrs. Moore. Mary told Roberta that Mrs. Moore would screw down Barzilai's lover so she was no longer in the picture. But it could only happen if Roberta paid three crowns.

According to author Sommer Strevens, this would have been over a week's wages for a skilled craftsman at the time. And, impatient as ever, Mary told Roberta that she only had until Barzillai left for the military to act. Otherwise, all hope would be lost. Though Roberta and her husband were already struggling financially, she decided it was best to invest in the help of Mary and Mrs. Moore.

According to author Sommer Strevens, this would have been over a week's wages for a skilled craftsman at the time. And, impatient as ever, Mary told Roberta that she only had until Barzillai left for the military to act. Otherwise, all hope would be lost. Though Roberta and her husband were already struggling financially, she decided it was best to invest in the help of Mary and Mrs. Moore.

So she scraped together the cash. Then there was just one other ingredient the witch needed, two lumps of coal. According to Mary, they were to be placed on the doorstep of Barzillai's mistress. Mary told Roberta that when the other woman found the coal at her door, she'd bring them to her fire. That's when magic smoke would rise up and taint all of the woman's fresh clothes.

So she scraped together the cash. Then there was just one other ingredient the witch needed, two lumps of coal. According to Mary, they were to be placed on the doorstep of Barzillai's mistress. Mary told Roberta that when the other woman found the coal at her door, she'd bring them to her fire. That's when magic smoke would rise up and taint all of the woman's fresh clothes.

With nothing to wear, she'd be unable to pack a bag to elope with Barzillai. And with that, Roberta's marriage would be saved. Obviously, it was all nonsense, a tale that Mary made up as she went along, but Roberta was totally convinced. So she supplied the coal and the money just in the nick of time. Satisfied with her payment, Mary told her client that the spell was complete.

With nothing to wear, she'd be unable to pack a bag to elope with Barzillai. And with that, Roberta's marriage would be saved. Obviously, it was all nonsense, a tale that Mary made up as she went along, but Roberta was totally convinced. So she supplied the coal and the money just in the nick of time. Satisfied with her payment, Mary told her client that the spell was complete.

And the next morning, Barzillai Stead left for the military without taking on a new bride. Roberta was overcome with a sense of relief. In Roberta's mind, Mary had saved her from ruin, and her gratitude was a dangerous weapon, one she unwittingly handed to the so-called witch. And Mary? She fully intended to use it against the poor woman.

And the next morning, Barzillai Stead left for the military without taking on a new bride. Roberta was overcome with a sense of relief. In Roberta's mind, Mary had saved her from ruin, and her gratitude was a dangerous weapon, one she unwittingly handed to the so-called witch. And Mary? She fully intended to use it against the poor woman.

We're not sure how, but Mary somehow convinced Roberta to pawn off various items from around her marital home and give her the profits. Apparently, the original payment of three crowns hadn't been enough. It's entirely possible that while grateful for the witch's help, Roberta was also scared of Mary's powers. And with her husband away, there was no one to notice or intervene.

We're not sure how, but Mary somehow convinced Roberta to pawn off various items from around her marital home and give her the profits. Apparently, the original payment of three crowns hadn't been enough. It's entirely possible that while grateful for the witch's help, Roberta was also scared of Mary's powers. And with her husband away, there was no one to notice or intervene.

as she steadily sold off every last belonging until she was almost destitute. Weeks later, nearly penniless, Roberta felt hopeless. No matter how much she gave Mary, it seemed it was never enough. Seeing no way out, she attempted suicide. But she didn't die. Mary was relieved. She wasn't done exerting her wicked influence over the vulnerable woman.

as she steadily sold off every last belonging until she was almost destitute. Weeks later, nearly penniless, Roberta felt hopeless. No matter how much she gave Mary, it seemed it was never enough. Seeing no way out, she attempted suicide. But she didn't die. Mary was relieved. She wasn't done exerting her wicked influence over the vulnerable woman.