The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-08-27
Strange Credul.ty-A $4,000 swinaie.


About two weeks ago, rs . gentleman farmse,
living in Madison county, was riding towards h,s
home, not far distant. he observed Inaa and wo
man by the road SIDE engaged IN repairing tnwaYe
A few days afterwards woman called at his house
and after some conversation asked him IL he did
not rcollect her. He realied that he did not. S,e
few days fore, and that his appearance had made
such an I'M. ression upon her mind, that she was
compelled to call and zee him. She told him tha.
che WA an Dstrologer, and that she was well nc.
quantfd with its mysteries. Sue saw at once that
be was an extraordinary person, and knew tha. he
had been horn under particular planet, and that
great things might be expected of him. She then
toek from Der apron book which seemed to con.
tain number Of diagrams, figures, de-, and read
from it, in an unknown tongue, few "hocus pc
Gus" sentences, after which, closing II and put
ting it back into its hiding place. she went into the
kit hen, bought few pounds Of butter OF the wife
of the gentleman, for which she paid literally and
vent on her way.
A day Or two afterwards, the woman called again,
reterasng what she had said on her first visit the
farmer paying but little attention to what she said
looking ufon the whole affair as an attempt - hum.
bug him. Not at all discouraged ths woman called
again toe next DAY, and wound up her converse
ton by saying that she knew where three hat crowns
full OF gold had been burird his farm, and that,
if he would do she directed, they could re ,over
it but that it necessary to allay the spirits
that stood guard over it that large eum Of money
mustbe present with them, at the incantairn. 6ho
thought five thousand dollars wOuld be required, bat
was not sure as TO the amount and she proposed,
II he would 60 into it, and furnish the money that
she would give him twothrds OF the trcssnre while
she would reserve the other one third her share
Up to this time, the farmer appears to have
had no confidence Ia the woman but as shs
took his hand, aud traced the mysterious lines
therein, telling hin the great things in store for
him. be began to place some confidence in her,
especially ss she Lad told him some things that had
occurred in his life that he supposed had never besn
known. About this time he sold large lot OF
cattle, for which he received in cash about 1000.
The next day the woman called again, and said
that So eco was the amount required 10 be present
to atay the spirits. The farme: then produced the
package OF money re ceivei oc the CATTLE and the
tso sat down to table. and counted out $3,0 In
bank Lotes, excepting four small gold coins. The
money was then folded up and put into hAndker
chief, the woman al the time making strange mo
tons, and talking strange talk. The next day and
the day after the woman called again. each time
counting the money ss before, making the same
sieps, &C., but leaving the money with the
farmer, wrapped up In the handkerchief At
The next VISIT she required him to take . solemn
o~h that be Was not to tell TO living soul the
going away, TO be abseat short time; he was
not to look Ut the package Of money at any
time excepting WREN abe was present; and. at
ter manpg an earnest pray or, she took hold OF hum
and Swung him around, so that they cane together
back t. back. She then gave him back tn . hand
kerchief, g. be supposed, all rght and told him
that she aoud return on the 18th, l6th or 18th VI
huEurt, Abu SuCu tuCy WVuu ~ III OOuNpbnyt buu
secure the hidden treasure. On the 18th he hardly
expected TO meet her. and not disappointed that
abe did not come. On the 10th he sat up late at
night expecting her arrival.
After waiting ell nczr midnight, on the 18th,
he began n suspect all WIS not right, ana he feared
all this might be trap TO rob him. So strong did
tsis Suspicion faste0 Rpon HIM, that he took up his
gun, loaded Il, and vent os,t into the shrubbey
surrounding the house, where be could see al VINO
appleat he'd ~ithout being seen, and remained there
until $40 O'Clock Ia the msrning. Bds no Quo Seme'
Az the nle had elapsed that Was let ~ nus fAI vsl
tor, he conad0red himself absolve& from nu oniig%
ton, never doubling In the least bat shat his money
was safely deposited Ia the handkarch Vel.
Unrolling Il carefully, what was In d'9my q
seeing not roll OF bank bills, and fouA pieces o.
gold ~ be had eft IL, but package Of br. Mn paper
AID four cents, In lien thereof ESen the 7enok0-
cbisf had been changed instead Of being - own,
Il IVES one precisely sts0ilsr. One Of che str veeN
things N Al this strange transaction IL that van
terie4t nve dosr bill that was PLACED in the pa =
axe OF money was taken out OF It. aud returned
The roll Of brown paper. How this was done IL
mystery we cannot solve. TIE farmer Who h . been
10 completely bambcozed out Of 50 0OO now seeks
10 drd some remedy Mt Law.
Strange as this story may appear 70 many, we
bave toe fach FRO n the most undoubted authority
md we have given them Just as they occurred. We
an syupathixe with our II end the farmer, In the
oss OF biz money, for he IL not the first VI the mss
,ulne gender who has been, aud ALAS he Ia not che
asf NJ M Wil Re duned nv a nrptfv wovrs