Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1872-08-22

n
"Who was she? Where is she to be
found?" cried Paul, forgetting to ask
whether the prophesies proved true or not
they were most ridiculously absurd and
| untrue.
AT No. 81 Poplar street," said his un.
Gle, after several minutes hesitation.
She was to te consulted only at night.
But that was several years ago"
"lIl 20 and see her tomorrow nightn
said Paul. He was more nervous and un.
settled than uSual that evening. and IA
looking in tho fire for long time.
"The boy is ruined," sighed his mothor
sense or usefulness"
at Is long day until sunset" said her
brother, quoting his favorite proverb.
The next night Paul got on his over
coat just after supper, and his last dollar
in his pocket His uncle had not been
home during the afternoon. Paul kissed
his mother good bye.
"Where arc you going, my son? ?"
ITO make our fortune" he said gayly,
as he ran GU.
Nc. 81 Poplar street was soon found. It
wasa narrow, dark entry, lighted BY
red lamp, when gave q ghostly and mur-
derous light. Paul went up the winding
stairs, and found at the top u door with q
placard, on which was printed with
common pen:
- "MADAME DAuBRrr, sEEREss."
Paul tapped. No answer. He tanned
again.
Enter ~ said hoarse voice.
He pushed the door open and went in.
Tho room was bare of furniture, except
another red lamp, which shed, Its bloody.
glare over tho gray walls, and black
antique chair,in which sat s:tall, ,gauntw wo.
man. She was robed in a loose, falling
habit of black from head to foot, Her
face, Of which Paul. could see but little
but tho chin, was deathly pale. Now and
then he oaught-<a glimpse of pair of
keen eyes, which he thought were both
fierce and threatening.
II came to consult you;" he stammered.
The black-covered head nodded. cit
10 unnecessary to explain yourself further.
Your 2ame is Paul Forbes. you desire to
know by what means you may obtain a
certain treasure"
Paul was terrified. The other mediums
that he had consulted had never told him
actual facts.
when do you hold a seance7"
"Now!" in . hoarse grating voice.
" 1need no trumpery tables, nor cards,
nor machinery. DO you ask whether i
can see into faturiry? You have scar
on your shoulder beneath your clothee, an
unhealed wound below your knee. If I
can tell you about these things that
others eyos cannot see, you can afford to
trust me for the truth Of whatever else I
may say. Ask what you will and will
answer"
"How am l to obtain the treasure ?
said Paul.
aHow should know what treasure YOU
mean? But pause" The figure moved
her hand slowly to her forehead, muttered
for few moments, then slowly took it
down and looked piercingly at the terri-
fed Paul.
The pot Of gold waits for you, enough
to give you fortune and power Here are
the directions by which you are to obtain
it," She then placed q small slip of pa.
per in bis band.
"On these conditions" she said, in q
hollow whisper, " that you solve the mys-
terry of this paper alone. You arc to re-
ceive no assistance in reading it; If you
do all is lost. Begone; you are answer.
cd"
Paul placed his money in her outstrotch-
ed hand and went stumbling down the
stairs under the red lamp.
The next morning by daybreak he was
knocking at the door of Lis uncle's cham
tor.
"What is this ?" showing him paper
full Of figures, lines and iagrams. aDon't
read it to me: Only tell me what sort Of
q puzzle it is."
The Lieutenant raised himself on his
elbow, smothering yawn. cit seems
to be o mathematical puzzle. Paul-the
description of some locality, l think. /
won't interpret it to you. 1t would need
good Typographical engineer to do that.
Where did you pickit up?"
Paul muttercd out something and dap.
pcared. .]
A week after the Lieutenant returned to
bis regiment. He noticed Paul busy every
night with his mathematics and bis slate
and pencil. The dream.book was laid ON
the shelf.
Several months after, Mrs. Forbes, writ
ing to her brother, said:
~Ihave something to tell you Of Paul
which know will please you. Much to
my surprise,h he took the first prize in math.
ematics at school last term. Finding prize.
taking agreeable, I presume, he has de-
voted himself to all bis studies with re-
newed assiduity. But mathematics ap-
pear to be passion with the boy. lie
told me that he designed studying topo-
graphical engineering, the very profession
I would have chosen for him. cannot
tell you how thankful am for his sudden
change" 49,
The Lieutenant laughed, but made no
other sign. -
He heard from his sister, but at long in
tervals, as he was stationed on the iron.
der; but every letter brought accounts Of
Paups incessant, steady labor in tho ono
direction.
Whether the hope Of tho treasure still
urged him on, or whether he found that
mathematics were his proper work and
that for which his talents and real tastes
best fitted him, we cannot say. But it is
certain that at the ond Of three years he
was ready to enter the highest class in
practical surveying Of the Polytechnic
College.
A year later Lieutenant Calderwood
was seated in the door of his tent, when
two or three strangers dashed up, and
stout, bearded, brg ghteyed young fellow
jumped of his horse, caught him by the
shoulders. shook him, laughed, and end
ed bv kissing him like girl.
Paul Forbes! Bless you, boy! How
did you come here ?" =
Paul jumped to his feet, turned red, and
then burst into shout of laughter.
"You were the seeress? know you
were!"
The Lieutenant nodded. ado you be.
grodge the dollar for her prophecy? ?" he
said. "As look back now, I don't quite
approve Of my manner Of teachfng you
your lesson, but you have shown yourself
q better scholar than feared"
Been appointed Assistant Surveyor
of this Territory, sir. Attached to tho
exploration party under General HAY. |
can't tell you all now, only that have
the position for ton years, ut fine salary.
and mother and Clara are snug and hap.
py as they were before. What do yoa
think vf that, Uncle Jem?"
Uncle Jem wrung his han. "Think ?
Why, that you must have worked hard to