The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1870-02-10

part OF the room, it was destitute Of
furniture.
The chair was occupied by the one
whom we hid come to consult. lie was
dressed in u lug white gown, which was
iLnciIully decorated 10 front with ter.
nate bars OF red, white aud blue, com.
mencing ut the throat aud extending
down to the skirt. His head covering
was OF extreme height, 10 the shape of a
cone, aud was made out of strips of diff.
ierent colored material. At his right
side human skull rested upon rough
pedestal, aud on the skull WAS pcrched
huge owl whose immense eyes were
wlnking aud blinking horribly in the
light OF the brightly burning lump
The small table which WAS Immediately
in front of the queer looking occupant
Of the chair, was completely covered
with alnanacs, aud on either side of il,
there were great piles Of them heaped
upon the floor.
=. The fortune teller was in fact fairly
cntrenchsd behind wall Of almanacs.
lie certainly must have had copy of
every one issued since they were first
invented. They were Of all culors, sizes
and kinds. IL was most ridiculous
sight, but the solemn face of old white
bearded seer prevented our laughing
outright.
"Young men," he uttered, in deep
bass voice, when we had advanced into
the room, hast thou come to have the
veil Of futurity removed, that thou may.
est know the destiny which awaits
thee p
" Yes, good sir" answered Joe " it
you have knowledge Of the future, |
would like much TO know what is in
store for me- -
"When vert thou borny"
November 10Th, Is"
Delying among ihe alnanacs on the
desk, with his loug, bony fingers, the
fortune teller at length selected one,
which, judging from its torn aud greasy
appearance, might have been for the
year one. After consulting it for u
! hoWenti lie salu
Thou art now, young man, at the
turning point OF thy life. Thy future
will be one of constant happiness or
bitter disappointment. Which Oft csc
it will be must depend upon thy own
conduct in an important event which
will soon take p'aceI'
What is the nature of the event."
inquired Joe, (which will produce such
a dread alternative -
q 1t is that which has more to do with
the fortunes Of ali men than aught else
it is love"
Then | an uudone,' said Joe smil.
Ing. "If my happiness depends upon
my own actions in case Of love, | am
lost, for am miserably unfortunate iu
such affairs"
Remember that the gods help those
who help themselves But" continued
the seer, after again consulting the al
manac, 81 will tell thee more. The one
thou lowest returns thy affection, but she
does not know that thy heart beats only
for her. II thou dost improve ahe time,
all will be well but delay will cause
thy ruin. Others seek for the prize,
and it will soon be too late for thee
Thou mayest dcspise my prophecy,
young man, bait"
llark !" | suddenly exclaimed, in.
terrupting the old man. "Some per-
sons are entering the front door. Come,
Joe, let US get away before we are dis
covered here"
My FREUD, who was listening with
an ineredulous smile on his face, to the
words Of the fortune teller, instantly
sprang to the door, and protruded his
head to listen. The next moment he
jerked it in and closed and locked the
door.
"Heaven preserve u.s." he exclaimed.
One OF the party coming up here is
Lucille. | heard her voice. What
shall We do? | wouldn't for the world
have her see me in this place, and yet
there is no way to get out, except to pass
them on the stairs, which would be Ger.
tain discovery"
Here, said the fortunc.tellcr, point.
ing to closet door Immediately back of
his chair, thou maycst go in there and
be free from discovery"
Without waiting fer another word,
We both sprang over the wall of alma.
macs ard disappeared behind the closet
door, which We left slightly ajar, to
enable us to see aud hear all that would
trauspire in the room.
We had scarcely gained our hiding.
place when the door opened, admitting
Charley Humphrey, his betrothed, and
Lucille. They were laughing and jest.
ins merrlly as they entered about what
their fortunes would be, and about who
should be first to face their fate. 1t
was soon agreed that Charley aud his
betrothed should come fgSt. After they
had each been promised many wonder.
full things--such as becoming immense.
ly rich, and living to see their great
grand. children growing up, and at last
sinking down to the grave in peace
they gave way to Lucille, in whose for.
tunes alone we are interested.
The fortune.telle. proceeded as in
each of the other cases by inquiring the
date Of birth, aud then carefully con.
sulliug the almanac.
" Fair maiden, he said when this was
done, "lhy future is easily foretold. -
Much happiness is 10 store for thee.
| Thnu lnvost ana vho is ayar,, 49,, -.