The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THERE WAS ONCE A MAN AND WIFE WHO LIVED OUT IN THE
COUNTRY. ON FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS, HE WOULD DRINK. HE WOULD
THEN COME HOME, AND BEAT HIS WIFE. HE LEFT THE HOUSE ONE
OF THESE NIGHTS, AND STARTED TO WALK DOWN THE ROAD.
HE TRIED TO HITCHHIKE A RIDE. A DRIVER WITH A HORSE AND
WAGON CAME BY, AND PICKED HIM UP. THEY TALKED, AND SLOWLY
THE MAN STARTED TO NOTICE THE DRIVER. HE WAS WEARING BLACK
CLOTHES AND A BLACK HAT. AFTER A WHILE, HE LOOKED DOWN
AND SAW THAT THE MAN HAD ONE REGULAR FOOT, AND ONE HOOVED
FOOT. THE DRIVER KNEW THE MAN NOTICED THE FOOT AND REALIZED
WHO HE WAS, THE DEVIL. THE DRIVER SAID, "IF I EVER FIND OUT
YOU HAVE BEATEN YOUR WIFE AGAIN, I WILL TAKE YOU FOR ANOTHER
RIDE, AND NO ONE WILL EVER FIND YOU AGAIN. THE MAN NEVER
BEAT HIS WIFE AGAIN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 00-00-1950