Not So Dim After All

        
       
  Time Traveling Witches 15,16    
 *Narrated by Charlotte Wentworth*           
               
               
Once downstairs we had a better look around.              

Sprawled out around the taverns 'lounge' were more than a dozen men chit chatting, eating, and drinking what one can only assume was spiced cider and wine.  'Hard cider in modern times.'                  
               
The decor reminded me of an old western movie, where, at any moment you expect a fearsome gunslinger to come barreling through the swinging doors blazing!  Only there are no swinging doors here.                
               
As we walked across to the barkeep everything and everyone seemed to stop in mid-motion!                
         
-all eyes were on us…                
               
“Good afternoon ladies”  said Mr. Smith cheerily, always with a smile on his face.                
         
"Is there something you need, anything I can get for you ladies?"          
         
"Yes we would like to order some food."  I said pleasantly.                
         
“What is that smell coming from your kitchen?”                
               
What started as a chuckle became a chortle when he spoke. “Why only the best smoked-beef this side of Salem Village, Malady.  Would you care for some?" He asked.    
         
“Yes, 5 plates I said” and thanked him.                
         
“Coming right up Miss.”                
               
“What is there to drink around here besides spirits?” asked Priscilla.          
         
“Water and tea.”  slurred a rude man eaves-dropping in our conversation.                
               
“Oh don’t mind him, he’s just the town drunk and nosy busybody, said Mr. Smith."                
         
“Mind your own business!”  Mr. Osborne, snapped ‘Smith.                
               
Abruptly the man was escorted out of the tavern, to which he then fell down, In the dirt, and stayed there—.              
               
“Yes well."I continued" “ trying to sound unaffected by the display I just witnessed.” 5 cups of tea then.    
         
“Yes of course Miss.”  he said pleasingly.                
               
We found a table that had 5 chairs and sat down.                
         
Upon sitting, we notice to our far right, an old shriveled up man that looked at least 100 years old at best, was harassing a barmaid by trying to pull up her dress, while serving him his spirits and food!                
               
Alexandria put her hand under our table and snapped her fingers one time.          
         
The man harassing the barmaid started to choke for a few moments, then composed himself.    
   
   
Page 16                
               
"I will try and have a chat with Mr. Smith." Said Charlotte,          
         
“Yes good idea.” assured Susanna.            
           
I then got up from my seat before our meal arrived, and walked up to Mr. Smith.                
               
“Say, could you tell me the address to Dunkersons Mercantile and Fine Goods, Mr Smith?”          
         
“Why yes.  I sure can, Miss."  John Smith was acting like he never met me before. In fact he seems aloof. “That’s a bit strange I thought to myself.”      
           
"The address is 23 Essex Street, less than an 8th mile from here going west."          
         
"Excellent.  Thank you Mr. Smith."          
         
"My pleasure Miss Charlotte Wentworth."        
“Okay now this guys is starting to piss me off!”               
               
I leaned in closer to Mr. Smith, and privately said. “Playing games John?!”  I then asked.  “Are there really witches here in Salem Village?”                
               
Mr. Smith’s smile quickly turned stern.               
         
“There are no witches here.  I can assure you Miss Wentworth."              
               
It seems Mr. Smith had nothing left to say.                
               
I casually walked back to our table but not before blowing a bewitched breath of telepathy into his ear.              
           
“We are here from future Boston.” We know you are Witch. We are here to try and save the witches that will hang in just a few months from today.                
               
“Using his telepathy, as all witches can.” he replied.                
               
“See here!  Miss, Wentworth. Me and my mother are not implicated in any way, nor do we want to be, so please— keep us out of it."                
               
I replied back.  "Of course you know we must have your loyalty, we may need your help."                
         
He replied back in kind.  "When, and if, that day comes along we shall discuss it then. Until then not another word."                
               
To be continued…                
               
               
After sitting down I privately told my sisters.  “I have the address.        
         
” Splendid.” said Elizabeth.                
         
"We ate and went on our way."    
 
 
 
To be Continued...  
Halfway to Dunkerson Mercantile we spotted the Magistrate at a barber / surgeon shoppe .                    
         
Luckily we saw him, but he didn’t see us, we just kept walking…