The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-12-01

general expression full of vanity, cum
ming and wickedness. The third, with
dank, matted hair, growing low upon
his forehead and half concealing his
face, had the gloomy, sullen, beartless
look of natural ruffian. AS before
said, all three were roughly and sloven-
ly attired.
"What is your pleasure, citoyens Y
inquired the little fat woman, smother
ing her anger.
'1f you are the witch people say you
are, you ought to know said Jean
with sneering grin.
"But | am no WITCH" replied Mad
emoiselle Lenormand, as she approach
ed the table and threw down upon it
pack of rather dirty cards.
"But you tell fortunesi'
"Sometimes."
"Well, tell ours, and mind you tell
the truth-that is if the devil will let
your
"a few questions first" said the for
tune teller, evidently not very well
pleased with the appearance of her
visitors. 'For what flower do each of
you have preference "
"For myself, none !" replied Jean. l
hate flowers, as being fit only for sick
ly children and sentimental women
A laugh from the Others greeted this
response, in which they acknowledged
they both concurred.
"That is strange!" said the fortune
teller, keenly examining all three
"not to like single flower! Well,
then, which animal do you like best I
aud which do you detest most ?"
81 like the tiger best" answered
Jean.
"Give us the tiger!" responded both
of the others.
"It is a fierce and bloody beast y
said the fortune-teller.
"But a brave one forsooth !" rejoin.
ed JEAN 81 hate your timid, trem-
bling hare !"
"And l." said Maximilian.
"And 1" echoed his friend.
"You seem to agree in your likes
and dislikes !" said the woman. "Will
you have your fortunes told together
or separately 2"
"Oh please yourself We shall be
easily satisfied, not expecting more
than one word in ten to be true"
"Let me see the palms of your
hands - said Mademoiselle Lenor
mand.
She looked at each hand, as it was
extended toward the light, and turned
deadly pale.
"Well, what is the matter ?" asked
Jean, perceiving the marked change
in her countenance.
81 would rather not tell your for
tunes !" she replied in some agitation.
'Bah go on-have no fear-speal
out-give us any doom you please y
"You have excited our curiosity,
said Maximilian,' and must now salts
fly it."
She caught up the cards, shufiiet
them huriedly, and then requested
each to cut with his left hand. Sh,
then ran through the cards, and be
came more agitated every moment.
"Will you hold me innocent o
wishing you any wrong?" she asked
in low, tremulous tone.
"Oh certainly"
"You force me to speak, remember
and l must speak the truth or b
silent"
$50 on!' said Jean; "why shoul,
you have more fear than we 7"
Still the fortune teller hesitated, an
ran through the cards again,
"The same fate repeated y she mu'
tered to herself.
"Woman, you trife with our time
said Maxamiliau.
81 will do so no longer, then," II
turned Mademoiselle Lenormand. g
, will speak now, and the truth. CT
oyens, you WELD terrible power, an
f from the pages of history your name
will never be erased. For tim,
millions will applaud your every act
but fearful future is before you al
You, turning to Jean, "will reach tn
2 summit of your proudest ambition
and be the master of life your sligh
Q est wish will be law, and your mo,
- courageous foes will tremble at til
bare mention of your name. But
! the pride of your power you will SUI
denly be cut off by the dagger of a
assassin, and yet be more worshippe
, in your death than your life, with IL
spontaneous voice of nation to glor
t fly and defy the name you bear. You
/ turning to Maximilian, "will outli,
: your friend, and in some degree tai
his place in the hearts of the people
- but your reign will be short, yol
friends will suddenly be converted I'M
! foes, and, amid the execrations of
9 furious people, you will lift your han
: against your own life, yet lift it vail
because the reeking scatfold must clai
E you as a victim. And now" turnir
to the last of the trio, sit only remain
, for me to add, that your life blood vi
: mingle with the last of your friend
aud your CORY head join theirs
e death ! / have done"
e The three men now exchange
+ glances, and then burst forth ir lou
II mocking laugh.
f This is a miserable farce !" sa
. Jean. "As if could be ..honored aft
II death, and you execrated y
e "She ISLANDERS the good citoyens, al
t should be made to answer for it at Il
tribunal !! observed the one whose ia
+ had been told last.
4 "Bah !" sneered Maximilian wi
: waste thought upon one who is C,
tainly no sorceress Come" he adde
r flinging small purse on the table, 81
!, us 60"
e. Those three men departed to full
j. the doom predicted
e The one called Jean was no 9th
than Jean Paul Marat, afterward
IS sassinated in his bath by Chariot
a Corday, and deified by the matte
n, The second was Macmillan Rob
e, pierre, who, after attempting to bl'
of out his brains, lived to be dragged
u. the same scaffold from which he h
ID sent so many innocent victims to Ell
nity. The third parsonage was