The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

I HAD WARTS ON MY HAND. MY UNCLE HARRY AT THE DINNER TABLE ASKED
ME IF I HAD A PENNY. MY MOTHER TOLD ME TO BELIEVE IN HIM.
I WAS EIGHT YEARS OLD AND I DID. HE SAID, "HOLD MY HAND AND
CLOSE YOUR EYES AND SAY A LITTLE PRAYER TO YOURSELF." AS
HE HELD MY HAND, WITH HIS OTHER HAND HE RUBBED OVER THE WARTS
ON THE BACK OF MY HAND. THEN HE SAID, "O.K. I'VE BOUGHT
YOUR WARTS FOR A PENNY. WITHIN A SHORT TIME THEY'LL GO AWAY."
THE WARTS DISAPPEARED WITHIN A MONTH.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT WAS AFFLICTED WITH THE WARTS FOR FOUR YEARS PRIOR.
HEALER WAS HARRY MEYERS, BROTHER OF SOPHIE BENITAUT, HEALER
OF PINCONNING (MICHIGAN?).

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS

James Callow Keyword(s): SALE

Date learned: 01-25-1967