Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1839-08-22
FORTUNE TELLING

The following scene IN the Court Of Sc1sions
described IN the New York Era, shows how
stealing on great scale Is conducted among the
ish"tani and Supcrsiitous
stephen Chambers. a hard featured. III
favored negro. was pu, upon his trial
charged With beng receiver OF stolen
goods. knowing the same to have been
stolen.
Eliza Davis, the thief, was admitted
asa witness against the prisoner. aud ,es-
hhed ~ follows Witness resided in
June last. al No. 80 Laurens street. par,
OF the neighborhood usually denomina,ed
"Rotien Row." where she became &C
quainled with the prisoner lie VAS said
by persons IN that vicinity to be a con, ur.
er, doctor, and fortune teller. and Wit
ness went to him for The purpose Of hav-
ing her fortune told. for which she paid
him hliy cents, and then be cut the cards.
HIS mystery be said was 10 give persons
luck Who called upon him and paid him
fee. The effect Of the charm he said
was so powerful, that il The person strictly
attended To his Instructions. they uivlit
go about and steal whatever they r,!oased
aud by hts aid avoid detection This he
called giving them luck Having paid
the requisite fee. the prisoner proceeded
to invest witness with the charm 10 elude
the vigilance OF The Police. He opened
large book from which he took some
thing like a rose leaf, which he folded IN
IN the shape Of heart, and directed vii.
ness TO pm II upon the bosom OF her un-
der garment. He then took fiom another
part OF the book quantity Of small seeds.
which be gave To- witness. with dire1 tons
TO carry the same in her stocking. and
whenever she drank snyihing TO be sure
and wet the seeds fret or her luck would
leave her. and above all things. If she did
not wish her luck TO be crossed 90 kern
The whole thing 4 profound secret from
every body else. and whenever she made
RAISE not TO fail giving hIm information.
Witness having done all shat was enioin-
ed upon her by the eoujurer frat went TO
the house Of Mrs. Jaeot in Lispennrd
street, where she engaged as servant.
and before one hour robbed the hoase of
silk dIeSFes. and other valuahles which
she took up TO the conlurers 10 Laurens
street. who highly approved Of her first
exploit, and babe her 20 ahead and get
more.
Accordingly. mex, day. sho enrsqed
service al a ladies' boarding house. No. 3
Ca,harine street. where she bad only been
An hour snd half before she avsiled her.
self OF a good opportunity. and stole IT.
teen superb dresses belonging 10 Catha.
rine Hamilton. Mrs. Tucker and another
lady residing on the same premises. With
all OF which she FASTENED up 10 the coz
Jurers' who vas delighted with her sue.
cess. end said the charm worked to q mi.
raele. snd concluded by giving her fresh
supply nj seed foT her stocking. and =
new leaf from his book Of fs.e, With u bicb
he started her OF again tor smother haul.
This latter operation by some misms.
nagepent OF other. entirely failed. II
Ma no fault OF witness. however: but by
some misehance. either forgetting 10 wet
the seeds OF negleeling 10 secure the leaf
m her bosom, somehow or other officer
Welsh 60; hold Of tho story -seizcd her
SIlh part Of the properly upon her Ter.
son. and actually found the incantation
seeds IN her stocking. which be threw in
the gutter. aud brought her up 10 the 10.
/ lice.
The premises Of the prisoner were
men searched, a. also those Of a woman
who usually washed for han. whore mos,
/ Of The stolen ARTICLES we're found. tn.
/ prisoner vas not arrested until several
weess after witness. having made himself
scarce uron fret hearing Of her arrest.
The only defence set Up hy the prison.
er, vas. that this Ras The frat sefspe IA.
had ever got himself inis by fortune tell.
INK. and brought forward an lndis look
ing negro VIih mop of rlosl n,vsiefino,
looking black wool. standing DOT from lns
bead % every direction, 20 prove ih,t be-
VS. usn Of good character tnd that the
'isirs' evidence. Mics Elizs DAVIS. uas q
black woman Of very esil fame, ADD On
worthy 81 belief
The lsry found the prisoner guilty"
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