The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1872-05-10

hhANh wants OuiN 10 liuniot lsiiltg
: Blanche's mother had played ther,
{ when child with numerous brother
: and sisters around her; there she hsC
plighted her vows to the man of he
choice, and there, at the close of a warn
: summers evening, had she closed his
T. eyes in death, little thinking that in &
few short months she should follow; but
. so it was, and need it be wondered al
that Blanche was attached so deeply tc
the home of her childhood?
She had often heard her grandmother
tell how her mother had had her fortune
told, and she was very eager to have
her own told also. Her grandmothers
ever-ready reply to her questions was,
my child, seek not to know the future
evil, but be content with the present
good" But Blanche was determined TO
find out the evil, if there were any, and
at last persuaded her grandmother to let
her go to old Katy's. This old woman
lived about five miles from Captain
Marsh's, in a miserable little out-of-the-
way hut. She appeared to be of Indian
descent, though none knew anything of
her nor when she came She apparent
ly subsisted by her art, and had nearly
bewitehed most OF the young people of
the neighborhood. Let US take peep
in while our friends are there. Seated
at small pine table sits old Katy. A
neat bandana handkerchief tied round
her nicely combed head answered the
place of turban. Another handker-
chief, whose whiteness rivaled the snow,
was pinned nicely across her shoulders,
while red and black striped petticoat,
reaching to her ankles, covered by n
check apron Of nearly the same length,
completed her attire. In one hand she
held a deck of cards, while upon the
other rested her head. In this position
she sat eyeing her visitors for at least
five minutes. Sonora sat upon a low
stool near the door, while Blanche was
seated at the table, opposite Katy.
$50 you do not believe Katy, hey,
miss ," and she laughed, showing row
of teeth which many a belle would have
envied, as she cast a piercing glance at
Sonora.
mot exactly that do not believe
yoU," answered Sonora, trembling as
she spoke, more at the look than the
question, "for know nothing of you,
but l do not believe in fortune telling.i
"Well, well, I'll tell the black-eyed
lady's fortune-that will do as well.
Yes, indeed, 'twould be but one. What
Katy says comes true. You'll believe
her one Of these days" and the old
witch gritted her teeth as she struck the
table with the palm of her hand with
such force that a glass of water sitting
upon it fell to the floor, breaking the
glass and spilling the contents on
Blanche's dress. "Hai hal hap almost
screamed the old woman, as she wiped
off the water with towel. Then hold
ing it up to her visitors gaze, "See that
color from your dress, hey? SO your
life-the brightness will all be washed
out" and reseating herself, took the
hand of Blanche within her own, as she
began:
"YOur life has been one summers day;
But one thing dark has marred the way:
Your parents both, when young and fair,
Died, and left you 10 the care
ofthOse who gave your mother breath,
And tried through love 10 battle death.
For eighteen years you've wandered on,
With flowers round your pathway strown.
I Twice more'll return your natal day.
Now, believe me, girl, what l shall say:
You'll meet with one whose gentle eye
I Your loving heart with pain will try;
Toward her whom you your secrets tell
Your breast with wicked thoughts will swell,
Against whose happiness you'll plot, 10 blast
Her dearest joy OF life at last
But how will you succeed? All, here's the cx-
planaiiOn:
Retribuiion will o'ertake thea. and Danish all
in contemplation;
Sickness, thar vile destroyer, will lay thee low.
And friends with all that wealth can do TO
raise thee-noi
For death, with his relentless hand,
Before iwent- years viii join thee 10 the Heay-
enIy bana."
care you satisfied, girl?" asked she,
as she finished, and rising, walked to-
wards Sonora.
Standing directly in front of her she
said, "Think not too harshly of old
Katy, for time will come when she
shall prove a true friend. Go in peace,
my child" and muttering something
she opened the door for her guests to de
part.
The girls, only too glad of the oppOr-
tunity, hastily left, Blanche dropping
n piece of gold into Katy's hand as she
passed out.
oh | am SO glad we are rid of her
presence once morer' was Sonora's first
exclamation as they rode towards home.
'She fairly made me tremble when she
looked at me. I never saw such eyesI
Will you not agree with me, dear
Blanche, that fortune telling is not only
a sin, but also great worriment TO our
own peace, for must confess I do not
feel half as happy as 1 did before l
went?r
"Well, Sonora, TO the latter part Of
your remark agree, for somehow feel
rather fidgety myself, but pshawl do
not believe anything she said. Accord
ing to her prophecy, am to become
your rival, for you are the only friend to
whom / tell my secrets" and Blanche
gave a nervous jerk to her reins, while
her eountenanee betrayed a tumult Of
feelings within.