Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-08-10
AN EDGErrELD SENSATION.
wonderful Revelations lby Fortune
IL Teller.


1t is not generally known to what extent
is carried on this city the vocation termed
"fortune telling" and few think victims of
a superstitous credulity are oftenest found
among the intelligent ladies and young gen.
tlemen of our community. Near the city
resides an old witch whose wonderful in
sight of The future, with its startling reali-
ties ard unexpected results, have given her
a prestige among those consulting her wis
2om that is well nigh idolatry. One night
last week several Young ladies of Edgefeld
were visited by the old fortune teller, who,
in every instance divulged facts true and
strange enough. Stating this to others, sew
eral young gentlemen, who didn't believe in
such nonsense, had Tuesday night appoint
ed as the hour for interviewing the old bag,
who, through the expected gain of divers
dollar bills, was induced to repair to house
in Edgeield. Ere the crescent orb had
sunk from the star gemmed brow Of night,
the door-bell rang violently. One of the
young ladies upon going to the door, was
SO startled by the uncouth visitor standing
at the portals, that she gave
ONE WILD, PIERCING SCREAM,
and ere its echoes died among the distant
hills, fell half unconscious, but was fortu-
nately caught in the arms of young gen.
tleman whose eager curiosity prompted
him into the hall. II is needless to say the
afrighted lady soon recovered, although
the cause of her alarm was enough to fright
en- any one, and make
"Each particular hair stand on end,
Like quilts upon the fretful pOrcupine."
The visitor was the fortune teller; an old
woman on whose face sorrow, care and
misery had each left it's trace in maddening
defornity. Her long silvered hair fell
clumsily about the shoulders and her steady
gray eyes added no less to the tout ensemble
of her hideous aspect than did the sardonic
smile of mocking power about the mouth
and hollow death-like voice which hizsed
it's fearfully received words. allow DO: 1
am child of fate, whose wisdom caught
from burning star and smiling moon, whose
words unvarnished and in future true, the
secrets of mans actions show, nor only
deeds of honor tell and visions beautiful
portray, but the deep, the dread and the
wild and weird things from their mysterious
places bring to view." "Let me in l mean
not harm, my words are truth and language
honest too"
WHAT FOLLOWS
is perhaps no less strange than true, for be-
ing admitted to the parlOr, whose assem-
blage of beautiful ladies and half doubling
young gentlemen had a curiosity to
test this old woman's power, her presence
caused no little comment, much of which
was not the most courteous toward the mis-
cradle looking wretch as this being of fate,
appeared in her humble garb, long nose and
withered face. To make matters short each
had bis fortune told. The first gentleman,
was Mr.. B., whose disregard for the
mystic art was strong as was President
Buchanan's adhesion to his political prin-
ciples. This gentleman however, was COM
pletely shocked by the revelations of this
''old woman" who seemed to know more
than
s'Great Comus
Deep skilled in all his mothers witcheries."
To show that what she tola was true,
we may only add, that the old
woman concluded by wishing that
"his dream may not be wanting
at the right time, for there is a lingering
sweetness about a first love we canot blot
out" This young man has no more to say.
Mr.. S. whose trust in fate is unchanging,
| and firm as were the efforts of Adm iral
| Semmes, was the next victim and graceful
| " received the derlOue1lerlt as to his future
| hopes. The fortune-teller was seiz ed with
desire to smoke, and this gentleman took
the trouble to cut up his chewing tobacco
| and put it in her pipe. For this act he re-
| ceived this blessing from the old woman:
"May your heart, after lowering around so
many fair ladies, settle on the true one at
last, for generosity will meet with its re-
ward even if it is nothing but filling poor
woman's pipe with tobacky." This gen.
tleman declares, as others will certify, that
he was told his past life entire, and promised
m ach Joy from the mOrTOlg. Mr.. F., who
believing strongly in witchcraft, had his
feelings so deeply touched by the sor-
Iowful face of the wandering oUtcsst, as TO
give her a shoo-fy cravat, Dolly Warden
| handkerchief and three bladed knife, as
mementoes, was very kind and attentive to
the mysterious old woman, whose gratitude
on leaving was expressed in these words:
aMr. F., your respect is always commeGda-
! bic to old age, and could the fortune teller
write the book of fate for hin, golden should
! be its leaves; and could it be possible, she
would smoothe away all the rugged stones
that might appear in his pathway of life;
| this only his energy and perseverance can
| overcome, and likewise all false friends and
| all mysterious letters. Beware of g-w-s."
! Though mysterious, these words convey
much and sounded louder and startled
stranger feelings than do the rushing waters
of St. Anthony Falls, Mr.. G., who has
been through the very gates of despair and
respondent gloom, after having his secrets
told, was admonished kindly, and informed
that "Faint heart ne'er won fair lady YETI
he could overcome all rivals, but Virginia
girls are not to be trusted, for with them
''out of sight is out Of mind"
/ a., -, LeSaLte 50 interested il tbs
proceedings that he not only gave the old
| woman one dollar bill but added, for luck
two silver quarters. The information re-
ceived concerning his future was dOleful
and it may have a severe effect upon his
burn-SjdeS; it certainly caused his face to
| become pale and l9htte. The fortune teller
prayed that his "future be bright, but
hoped his heart was not as hard as the sil-
yer he gave her,"
! Mr.. II. M, received his fortune fro m
the old woman, who wished that ;he might
never need the chaw of tobacco he offered
| her-that bis store ever be full and although
said, ,"Fortune a goddess is to fools
clone" She hoped it would not prevent his
securing the much coveted store for, It's
more by fortune than by merit, he is to
succeed, ETC."
This SO alarmed the assembly that no
other would consent to have their fortunes
tcld. The excitement became great and all
at once the witch disappeared. One of the
young ladies became terrified and had to use
camphor, declaring she would not go to
sleep until the hateful old woman was
found. The gallant young gentlemen,
then filed with Just and manly ildigna-
ton against one who had caused so much
trouble, took lights and searched the house
from cellar to garrett, breaking sundry dish
es in the pantry and suffering a cask Of
wine to flow out in the store room. Their
efforts were unavailing, the young lady slept
not and the old witch, as afterwards ascer-
tanned, had crept behind barrel in a dark
| closet. The young men being
DETERMINED TO SOLVE THE MYSTERY
posted themselves around the house and
at various places along the road,
where they remained, in vain
expectation of seeing the mysterious old bag,
until the stars in the heavens dropped and
the golden beams of morning threw their
laughing light over the dusty paths along
which the weary watchers homeward trod
| Jf tbooa vOuDC oantIamaD will call at the