The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1872-09-27

" pe supefstltlous. lt Is only 1Ools
who think there is nothing in the
world but what they can see and han
die"
II quite agree with you with regard
u the fools, Paul"
Paul, who had been defiant hitherto,
blushed with pleasure. II don't know"
he continued, "what credit to give to
spiritual mediums. Fact is, I've run
after them till I'm about tired The've
got all my last two quarters allowance,
and 50 I've had to go without new
clothes this winter. But if I could sue
cced! If could only find the pot Or
chest! just think! | would make
mother easy for life.'
Hvery tue, I" said his uncle. s~~
They were both silent for while,
the Lieutenant smoking and Paul
turning over the leaves Of his book with
feverish haste, glancing up now and
then, furtively, at his uncle.
"What first put this matter into your
head, Paul?"
Il don't know. We really need
money 50 often. And then Fred Park
er told his stories of Kidd's treasures,
and l see these clairvoyant advertise
ments in the paper every day"
cas- to these mediums" said Lieu
tenant Caldcrwood, thoughtfully, '.my
opinion is that they will take your mon
ey and you will get No information in
return. l never had any intercourse
with them, for have no belief in their
ability to tell you anything you do not
know already myself. a friend of
mine, Captain Johns, told me of
woman, a fortune teller, who made
some remarkable predictions-very re-
markable, indeed. She sketched out
bis whole career for him."
"Who was she? Where is she to be
found!" cried Paul, forgetting to ask
whether the prophcsies proved true or
not-and they were most ridiculously
absurd and untrue.
eat No. 81 Poplar street." said his
uncle, after several minutes hesitation.
'She was to be consulted only at
night. But that was several years
ago."
"I'll go and see her tomorrow
night" said Paul. He was more
nervous and unsettled than usual that
evening, and sat looking in the fire for
long time.
"The boy is ruined" sighed his
mother; "nothing will ever restore him
to common sense or usefulness.
ut is a long day until sunset" said
her brother, quoting his favorite pro-
verb.
The next night Paul put on his over
coat just after supper, and his last dol
lar in his pocket. His uncle had not
been at home during the afternoon.
Paul kissed his mother gocd-by once or
twice.
"Where arc you going, my son!'
''To make my fortune, he said galiy,
as he ran out.
No. 81 Poplar street, was soon found.
1t was narrow, dark entry, lighted
by red lamp, which gave & ghostly and
murderous light. Paul went up the
winding stairs, and found at the top a
door with a placard, on which was
printed with common pencil:
"MApaMH D'AuBREr sEEREss."
Paul tapped. No answer. He tap
ped again.
"Enter!" said a hoarse voice.
He pushed the door open and went
in. The room was bare of furniture,
except another red. lamp, which shed
it's bloody glare over the gray walls,
and black antique chair, in which sat
at tall, gaunt woman. She was robed
in loose, falling habit of black from
head to foot. Her face, of which Paul
could see but little but the chin, was
deatlAy pale. Now aud then he caught
a glimpse of pair of keen eyes, which
he thought were both fierce and threat
ening.
II came to consult you," he stam-
mered.
The black-coyered head nodded. "It
is unnecessary to explain yourself furth-
er. Your name is Paul Forbes. You
desire to know by what means you may
obtain q certain treasure"
Paul was terrified. The other medi-
ums that he had consulted had never
told him actual facts.
"When do you hold seance?"
"Now!" in a hoarse, grating voice.
II need no trumpery tables, nor cards,
nor machinery. Do you ask whether
l can see into futurity? You have q
scar on your shoulder beneath your
clothes, an unhealed wound beneath
your knee. If l can tell you about
these things that others eyes cannot
see, you can afford to trust me for tn.
truth of whatever else I may say
Ask what YOU will and I will ans