The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1863-12-05
THE PARTISAN SIBYL.

was not exercised in France with impunity,
and those who were given to shuttiing for
tunes from cards, answered too often for it
with their lives. Our good ancestors were
in the habit af Burning without scruple
all who were guilty Of witchcraft; and my
GOOD ladies Yillsneuve, Mitchell and LeNor-
mand, now in full career, if they had been
born a century earlier would have ended
their career at the stake. But chiroman
cy, cartomancy and nscromnncy are at pres
emit fashionable sciences and lucrative
branches of trade; and sorcery, instead of
leading to funeral pile, conducts to for
tune. All Paris have in succession paid
their respects to the cards Of Lady Villen-
euve, the whites-of-sggs of Madame Mich
ell. and the black hen of Mademoiselle LIE
Normand. Each of these has been celebra
ted.in her turn, but young sorceress now
before the public promises to surpass them
all.
The temple of this new sibyl is one of
the most frequented quarters Of Paris. In
the msrning it is open to the beauty tender
and timid, but who contide inthe turn OF a
card to the greedy SPECTATOR who would
know what success attends his enterprises;
to the modest and innocent girl who is an
xious to discover whom she should fall in
love with; to the unquiet husband whose
dreams are disturbed by an ugly major of
dragons, in big boots, and wearing mons
trous moustachiOs; to the gamester who
would win back at whist what he lost at
Faro. The numerous equipages ranged be,
fore the entrance indicate the rank Of the
visitors
Ihad heard the oracles of this modern
Pythoness frequently cited with great praise.
Some ladies spoke to me in high terms of
the vivacity of her mind, the delicacy OF
her questions and especially of the prompt
ness with which she OWNED what they dare
not tell to her. Gentlemen had described
in raptures the sweetness Of her features,
the elegance of her manners, and assured
me that she was most exquisite creature.
These eulogies excited my curiosity; and
determined to ascertain for myself the mer-
IFS and beauties of this celebrated parsonage.
The clock had Just struck eight as pre-
sented myself at the door of her hotel. On
declaring the object of my visit, | was ush'
cred into little saloon furnished with the
greatest simplicity, with nothing to ind
cate the profession of its occupant. This
was young lady about % years OF age,
tall, well made, expressing herself with
grace, very agreeable and various In her
conversation. There was something little
malicious in her glance, and sardonic IN her
smile, and she TESTED freely upon the ineon'
yeniencees of her art, and attempted to
convince me of its excellences. saw that
she was not herself very easy persuaded OF
the truth she wished to impress upon me;
and thought that of all who came into her
house, the young sibyl herself had the least
faith in the infalhbility of her oracles.
After having conversed with me for a few
moments, she assembled the secret tripod;
already the prophetic spirit had begun to
move the delicate fbres other brain, when
a light hand raped three times at the door
Of our apartment, and uttered in troubled
voice. "Open; it is l." My pretty prophe-
tess was evidently embarrassed, and | was
preparing to trke my leave. She proven
ted me. "Yo have the air ola gallant gen
tleman,n Il am sure ofit,' she added; go
into this cabinet She pushed me gently
into the cabinet, shut the door upon me, and
to prevent all accidents took the key with
her. cousaled my captivity by making
immediatelr use Of a crevics, through which
l could See yory thing that was going on IN
the saloon.
The lady VINO entered was younger and
more beautiful than sibyl. Her face was a
picture of innocence and candor. AT length
said she; laughing, 4 have succeeded
Madame de Bassac, after haveing managed
to to infame the jealousy of my husband,
has prevailed upon him to. pays visit toyou
be will be here in a minute, and do not tor.
get our agreement Tho sound OF bell