Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1851-01-03
For the kcnosha Telegraph.
A STORY OF FORTUNE TELLING.
BY z. NEWELL.


IN the South Of France, in certain city, there
lived an old lady whose sole business was for
tune telling. The remarkable accuracy with
which she foretold future events, and the uncr-
ring certainty with which she revealed the past,
fixed the conviction in the minds of the inhabi-
tants of that region that she held secret commu-
Mon with the invisible world. In fact, the past,
and the future, seemed TO conceal nothing from
her, only she made no pretcnsions 10 any knowl-
edge of the future world. The morality of her
course was so doubtful in the minds of some
that they had caused her to be prosecuted for sor
Gerry. Accordingly she moved to q secluded
part of the city, and often refused to hold any
communication with individuals whom she sus-
pected would take any advantage of her.
Three young men, having spent the evening
at the tavern, concluded 10 have their fortunes
told before they went home. They repaired to
the house in which she lived and made known
their business. She soon perceived that they
were too much intoxicated to be very much ben
Gifted by anything she could tell them, or to be
safe persons to know, even, that she continued
the practice She therefore refused to tell their
fortunes, and they left for home
One Of them. who had dronk less than the rest,
returned back. and by offering her large sum
| of money, together with promise never to ex-
pose her, she consented to tell his fortune.
She took him into long ball, at the farther
end of which was a mirror "a glass with a veil
before it. She then extinguished her lamp and
asked him what he would sec. As he medta-
ted upon what to say, whether his future resi-
dence or future bride-the watch cried the hour
Of night. 1t was much later than he expected,
and being agitated he exclaimed: 1" will see my
grave" She drew away the veil and he looked
into the mirror-his eve caught winding path,
which he traced to cloi<ter-a yard surrounded
by trees-on one side was shed-within he
saw grave stones, on one of which he plainly
read mis- own name. He said it was enough
paid his fees and left. From that time he be-
came very melancholy. BY day he would often
imagine he saw the grave yard, and by night his
tombstone.
Every attempt failed to dissipate the gloom
that weighed down his spirits, or to induce him
even to engage in business. AT length his
friends persuaded him to travel They furnish
ed him with good morse and saddle, and he start
ed, not knowing, or even caring where he went
The first day his Imagination was haunted by
grave-yards and ghosts, and during the first night
he continued slaepess watch, lest suddenly he
should fall asleep in death. The next day he
| continued his iourney-the diversity of scenery
and different objects along the way relieved him,
in measure, of the fearful anticipations which
had so depressed him.
Night again overlook him. He took lodgings
at an inn with more cheerfulness than he had
manifested since he saw the graveyard in the
mirror A number of travellers spent the night
at the same house-and during the evening the
accustomed jokes and anecdotes of a bar-room
went the rounds till he joined in merry laugh.
He retired to rest at a later hour than usual, and
slept sonndly during the night. He awoke much
refreshed and partook of his breakfast with q
keen relish, and continued his Journey. The
sun never shone more brightly--the birds never
sang more sweetly--nor had the heart of the