On all sides shrieks and cries mingled with the quick movements of those who had the “jerks,” and Elsie could bear it no longer.

“Take me out, Dexie; I can’t stay here another minute!” she cried.

Lancy was some distance away, but he pressed to her side, regardless of the bruised toes and sides he left behind him, and lifting Elsie in his arms pressed to the door, with Dexie closely following.  They hurried away to where the noise of the worshippers was not quite so audible, and by degrees Elsie grew quiet and calm.  Leaving them seated on the grass by the roadside, Lancy re-entered the church, the strange doings having a certain fascination which he could neither explain nor resist.

In a short time Elsie recovered sufficiently to walk around, but curiosity drew her again to the church, and they watched through the windows the peculiar actions of the people.  But the excitement had now somewhat subsided, and Elsie urged that they enter the church again.  Dexie was afraid of the effect which another such scene might have upon her friend, so she tried to persuade Elsie to stay and watch at a safe distance.  Elsie felt sure she would not be alarmed again, so they entered the church and obtained a seat that had just been made vacant.

A few minutes later, the movements of an old woman attracted notice.  They had watched her as she entered the church a short time before, and had pitied the poor, feeble creature, as she dragged herself up the aisle by the aid of a pair of crutches; but all pity left Dexie’s heart as she saw the crippled creature thump the floor with her crutches, and bring them together over her head with a crash that rivalled the noise made by many of the hard-handed sons of toil, who had taken the “jerks” during the service.

“What makes them do it, Dexie?” said Elsie, in a whisper. “’And there was in the synagogue many people possessed of the devil;’ that is the only solution of the mystery that I can see,” was the reply.

“Oh, Dexie! do you really think that is what ails them?  How awful!”

“‘And there was one woman among them who had seven devils,’ and that is she with the crutches, I think.  Are you afraid?  Shall we go out, Elsie?”

“It does scare me, but I cannot help looking at them,” was the answer.

But the “jerks” now spread from one to the other, until pandemonium let loose could not be much more alarming.  Elsie turned white with fear, but it was impossible to get out at the moment, as the aisles were blocked by terrified sightseers, their screams of fright mingling with the shrieks of those who had the “jerks.”  It is safe to say that no madhouse ever held a more excited crowd.

At this moment a heavy woman, who sat on the same seat that held Dexie and Elsie, began to be affected, and as the seats were only supported at each end, this one began to spring up and down, setting all those who were upon it in motion.