The Placer herald., 1873-06-21

"Perhaps you will laugh at me uncle, but
don't see why you should. The ancents
called in the aid of oraces and dreams.
They knew how to read coming events in
fight of birds or by the entrails Of beasts.
If we cannot do so, too it, seems to me it is
because we have lost the power not because
the signs are not there to read. The wisest
| men have not been ashamed TO be super
| stitious. 1t is only fools who think there is
nothing in the world but what they can see
and handle.'
81 quite agree with you with regard TO
the fools, Paul"
Paul, who had been defiant hitherto,
blushed with pleasure. 81 don't know"
he continued, '..what credit to give to Spirit
ua mediums. Fact is, I've rur after them
till Pm bout tired. They've. got all my last
two quarters allowance, and so I've, had to
go without new clothes all winter. But if
could succeed If could only find that
pot or chest! Just thnkl 1t would make
mother easy for. litel,s ,.
Every true" said bis, uncle. .r
They were both silent for awhile, the
Lieutenant smoking and Paul turning over
the leaves of his book with feverish haste,
gancing up now and then furtively, at his
| uncle. ...
"What first put this matter into your
head, Paul?" r..
81 don't know. We really need money
so often. And then Fred Parker told his
stories of Kdd's treasures, and see these
| clairvoyant advertisements in the paper
every day."
"As to those MEDIUMS" said Lieuten-
ant Calderwood, thoughtfally, "my opinion
is that they will take your money and you
will get no information in return, I,never
had any intercourse with, them, for have
no belief in their ability to, tell you any
thing you do not know already yourself.
A friend of mine, Captain Johns, told me Of
a woman. a fortune teller, who made some
remarkable. predictions-very remarkable
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 prophecies proved true or not
and they were most ridculously absurd
| and untrue.
"At No. 81, Poplar street," said his
uncle, after several minutes hesitation.
| Ouc WIS W Dc cOUStllIeu only hb DlgnL.
But that was several years ago" ,,.i.
"ll go and see her tomorrow night"
said Paul. He was more nervous and un
settled 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 COM
mon sense or usefulness
''It is long day until sunset" said her
brother, quoting his favorite proverb.
The next nighG PanI put on his over
coat just after supper, and his last dollar in
his pocket His uncle had not been at
home during the afternoon. Paul kissed
his mother good bye once or twice.
"Where are you going my son p
''To make our fortune, he said gay as
he ran out.
No. 81 Poplar street was soon found.
1t was narrow, dark entry, lighted dy
real lamp, which gave ghoslly ard mur-
derous light. Paul went up the wind ny
stairs, and found at the top door with
pacard, on which was printed with CON-
mon pen:
"MADAME D'AUBREY, sEEREss"
Paul tapped. No answer. He tapped
again.
"Enter!" said hoarse voice.
| He pushed the door open und went in.
The room was bare of furniture, except
another red lamp, which shed its bloody
glare over the gray walls, and tlack an-
tique chair in which sat tall, gaunl
woman She was robed in loose, falling
habit of black from head to foot Her face
| L. d. l:tt1o a. Il.
was deathy pale. Now and then he
caught glimpse of pair of keen eyes,
which he thought were both fierce and
| threatening.
She did not bow or rise. He remained
standing tefore her. The very assumption
of Authority which this implied impressed
and awed Paul.
81 came to consult you" be stammer-
ed.
The black covered head nodded. eft is
unnecessary to explain yourself further
b Your name 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.
"Wben do you hold e9"
"Now!" in hoarse grating voice. 81
need no trumpery tables, nor cards, nor ma
chinery, Do you ask whether can see
into iaturity? You have a scar OH your
shoulder beneath your clothes. an unheaIed
wound below your knee. If | can tell you
ubout these things that others eyes cannot
see, you can afford to trust me for the truth
of whatever else may say. Ask what
will and / will snswer.''
How am to obtain the treasure ?" said
Pual, ag' ad aee
"How should know what treasure you
mean But pause" The figure moved her
hand slowly to her forebsad. muttered
few moments, then slowly, took it down aud
looked piercinglv at the terrified Paul,