The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

BABY

THERE WAS A WOMAN WHOSE HUSBAND WAS GONE FROM HOME QUITE A BIT.
THEY LIVED IN A LARGE HOUSE SO WHEN HE WAS GONE SHE WOULD TAKE
HER BABY INTO HER ROOM AND KEEP IT IN A CRADLE NEXT TO HER. SHE
WOULD TOUCH THE BABY FROM TIME TO TIME TO MAKE SURE IT WAS
BREATHING. ONE NIGHT SHE THOUGHT SHE HEARD FOOTSTEPS SO SHE
FELT HER BABY AND IT WAS BREATHING. SHE WALKED DOWN THE STAIRS
AND THERE SHE SAW A MAN, DRESSED ALL IN BLACK, HOLDING HER BABY'S
HEAD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 11-00-1968