Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1859-09-22
[Eritten for the FayeststrEr O5ssrusr.l
FOOTPRINTS OF THE PAST.



E0EsTUNE-TELLENG.
Clear, land o. cakes, and britber Scots,
"Frae Maidenkirl to Johnny Greats
s"If there s hole in a. your coats, A
| Il rede you tent it:
"a chiefs amang you taking notes,
"And. faith, he'll prent It."
The visit several months ago Of a
wandering family Of Gypsy fortune
|tellors, in the town Of Fayetteville,
brought to mind paper found more
than year ago, which purports to
be a chapter 10 the ''History Of Fay
etteviIle,' work not yet published
80 far es / can learn. 1.-THE "chiel"
is still "among you taking notes. the
late Gypsy visit viii probably afford
matter for one or two rich chapters
Of their sayings and doings before
they received an intimation that q
speedy departure would improve
their health if not their MORALS.
Since the above paragraph was
written as an introduction to the sto-
|ry Of the Fortune-Teller below.
some very broad footprints Of Gypsy
imposition and rascality have been
discovered and made public in an
adjoining county, full statement Of
which has found its way into the pa
pers. 1t is truly a mattar Of much
surprise that in this enlightened age,
such barefaced roguss, whose estsb-
lished character BIS thieves and I'M
posters has been known for ages past
are permitted to ramble from house
TO house, robbing the weak and unsus
pecting sometimes through fear, some
times by begging, fortuue.teling
or other winning ways" In The
case above alluded to a Gypsy
witch succeeded in cheating q gentle
man of some means and intelligence
got possession of $4,000 Of his mono,
and made good her retreat With tht
booty, leaving him ga wiser if not ,
better man." This is an excellen
lesson, though somewhat expensive
THE FORTUNE-TE
| Its no doubt within the recollection
Of many citizens Of the town, tina
some s or Git may be 10 or /;
years ago, certain travelling noun
sehark visited the place, and 70
want Of something better to do, con
Guided to amuse himself, and at ID
same TINA replsnish his nearly ex
J hausted treasury by telling the fol
tunes Of such Of the youths and 9th
ers Of more mature age as were s
| verdapt as to place reliance on thi
oracular powers. For some time th
astrologer drove a very prosperou
! business, and crowds Of soft head
and snxious faces aocked to his room
Ito learn from him the DEGREES {
!, fate. Among them were man
, whose cheeks would now mantle wit
shame if told that they also had bee
! among his numerous customer!
In the full tide Of bis prosperity
however, q cloud "came Ger th
spirit Of his DREAM" and he wa
doomed to meet with a reverse {
fortune. Some claims which b
had forgot to pay at his former plac
Of residence fell into the hands {
! the sheriff, who forthwith proceede
Ito make him an official visit and take
sans esrsmonie, into his hands th
astrologer's entire stock 10 trade
, embracing among other articles, hi
: gown, wig and wand, together With
, roll of documents (as'the officer in
formed the writer) nearly as large q
, bis arm, and containing brief br
very specific biography Of the brit
Iparentage, habits, principles, and j
short every circumstance connecte
with him or her named, embracin