Muscatine journal. [volume] (Bloomington, Iowa) 1849-185?, 1854-02-17
Curious Instance Of Fortane Telling.

4 y
the Countess of STAIR grand daughter o
the Chancellor Earl of London, the follow.
ing is extracted: eib
\ 1t was her lot at an early age to be united
to James Viscount Primrose, man Of the
worst temper and most dssolute manners
Her ladyship, who had no small share of the
old chancellor in her constitution, could have
managed most men with ease, by dint Of su.
psrior intellect and force of character; but
the cruelty of Lord Primrose was too much
for her. He treated her so barbarously that
she had even reason to fear that he would
some day put an end to her life. One morn
| ing she was dressing herself in her chamber,
near an open window, when his lordship en-
tered the room behind her, with drawn
sword in his hand. He had opened the door
softly, and alth ough his face indicated a
resolution of the most horrible nature, he
still had the presence of mind to approach
her with caution. Had she not caught a
glimpse of his face and figure in the glass,
he would, in all probability, have come near
enough to execute his bloody purpose, be-
fore she was aware, or could have taken
any measures to have saved herself. For
tunately, she perceived him in time to leap
out of the open window into the street
Half dressed as she was, she Immediately,
by very laudable exertion Of her natural
good sense, went to the house of Lord Prim-
roses mother, where she told her story, and
demanded protection. That protection was
at once extended; and ID being now thought
vain to attempt reconciliation, they never
afterwards lived together. Lord Primrose
soon afterwards went abroad. During his
absence, foreign conjurer, or fortune-tell-
er, came to Edinburgh, protesting, among
many other wonderful accomplishments, to
be able to inform any person of the present
condition or situation of any other person,
at whatever distance, in whom the applicant
might be interested. Lady Primrose was
excited by curiosity to GO, with female
friend, to the lodgings of the wise man in
the Canongate, for hepurpose of inquiring
regarding the motions of her husband, of
whom she bad not heard for a considerable
time. 1t was at night; and the two ladies
went, with the tartan screens or plaids of
their servants drawn over their faces by way
of disguise. Lady Primrose having describ.
ed the individual in whose fate she was in.
tcrested, and having expressed desire to
know what he was at present doing, the con-
iurer LED her to a large mirror, 10 which she
distinctly perceived the appearance of the
inside of a church, with marriage party
arranged near the altar. To her astonish-
ment, she recognised in the shadowv BRIDE
groom no other than her husband The mag
ical scene was not exa city like picture or
If so, it was rather like the live pictures OF
the stage than the dead and immoyable de-
lineations Of the peteil. Ii admitted of al
ditions to the persons represented, and of
progress of action. As the lady gazed on
it, the ceremonial Of the marriage seemed
to proceed. The necessary arrangements
had at last been made the priest seemed
to have pronounced the preliminary SER
vice; he was just on the point of bidding
the bride and bridegroom join hands, when
suddenly gentleman, for whom the rest
seemed to have waited considerable time,
and in whom Lady Primrose thought she
recognised brother of her own, then
abroad, entered the church, and advanced
hurricdly towards the party. The aspect of
this person was at first only that of friend
who had been invited to attend the eeremo-
ny, and who had come too late; but as he
advanced, the expression of his countenance
and figure altered. He stopped short; his
face assumed wrathful expression; he
drew his sword and rushed up to the BRIDE
groom, who prepared to defend himself -
The whole scene then became tumultuous
and indistinct, and soon after vanished en-
tirely away.
When Lady Primrose reached home, she
wrote minute narrative of the whole trans
action. to which she appended the day Of the
month on which she had seen the mys sterious
vision. This narrative she sealed in the
presence of witness, and then deposited
it in one of her drawers. Sson afterwards
her brother returned from his travels, and
came to visit her. Shc asked if, in the
course of his wanderings, he had happened
to see or hear anything Of Lord Primrose?
The young man only answered by SAYING
that he wished he might never again hear
the name of that detested parsonage men
toned. Lady Primrose, however, question
ed him so closely that he at last confessed
having met his lordshiP, and that under
very strange circumstances. ilaving spent
some time in one Of the Dutch cities--;t
vas either Amsterdam or Rotterdam - he
had become acquainted with rich msr
chant, who had a very beautiful daughter
his only child, and the heiress of his large
fortune. One day his friend, the merchant,
informed him that his daughter was about
to be married to a Scottish gentleman, who
had lately come to reside there. The nup-
tlals were to take place in the course of a
few days; and, as he was eountryman of
the bridegroom, he was invited to the we'd
ding. lie went accordingly, was little too
late for the 60 menoemsnt of the eeremony.
but, fortunately, came in time to prevent
the sacrifice OF an amiable young lady to
the greatest micc:.:.ster alive in human shape
his own brother in-law, Lord Primrose