Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1882-11-18
A FoRTrNE THAT CANE rRUE.


1t was in the spring OF 1865. Just about
the close of the war, when the nation
was yet unsettled, more particularly IN
consequence of the assassination OF
President Lincoln and the trial and ex-
ecution of the perpetrators OF that
crime, that this narrative begins.
was in the quiet town of Tehama'
located on the bank Of the Sacramento
River, near the head Of the valley OF
that name, in California. When the
flowers perfumed the soft and balmy
breeze as it gently stirred the leaflets In
the spreading bouahs of the trees over
head, as the sun was gradually hiding
his face behind the Coast Range
mountains that skirted the western horI-
zon: and the silvery light OF the moon,
as she rose higher in the heavens, lend
ing a romantic aspect TO all nature: In
suburban cottage, might have been seen
two ladies, making preparations 70 take
their family of little people to a concert
that was to be given that evening In the
principal hall of that town.
Slowly meandering up the long Walk
that led to the cottage door, might also
have been seen Gypsy woman, bearing
her young babe in her arms and leading
one or two small children.
Her husband-or the man that as
sumed to be-was in camp few hun
dred yards distant, preparing their
scanty evening meal.
The woman had been the rounds OF
the cottages, dotted here and there, and
in the town, begging and telling the
fortunes of those whose curiosity had
prompted them to learn what the future
had in store for them, and receiving. In
return for her services, money, clothing
and such articles as they chose to give
her. On her return to camp she had
espied this cottage and resolved to visit
it for the purpose mentioned.
As she reached the doorway she was
greeted by the elder of the two ladies
with an inquiry of what did she wish,
and what could be done for her!
The woman stated the object of her
visit, and the lady told her she had no
time to spare and did not want her for
tune told. But the woman still fingered
and showed no disposition to retire until
her wish was granted. So the two ladies
considered what was best to do. and the
result was that the elder lady approached
the woman and said: Madam, l will
let yOu tell my fortune and will give
your children something to eat, provld
ing you will let me tell your fortune in
return" resolving to tell the woman of
some horrible forebOding in order to
hasten her departure. 10 this propo-
sition the woman, with mingled surprise
and curiosity, agreed.
While the other lady attended to the
wants of the Gypsy children, the woman
told the fortune, and at the conclusion,
the lady took the woman's hand and,
looking into it, said:
"Why, woman, you have done some
great wrong to some man, and you will
meet with a violent death! Look out
for the safety of yourself and children
At this the woman appeared much ex-
cited, and hastily gathering her little
ones and bidding the ladies adieu, bur.
ried down the walk to the gate and
thence to camp.
The ladies were, in turn, surprised at
the woman's actions. as, lingering in the
doorway, they watched her departure
and congratulated themselves on getting
rid of her SO easily.
The concert was attended, and nc
more was thought of the matter.
A week later, word was brought to
town of Q horrible murder committed
in the outskirts of Red Bluff.
The result of the cOroner's inquest
was that the woman had stolen a
thousand dollars from her husband
in San Francisco a month before, and
had run off with her children and taken
up with another Gypsy, who passed
as her husband, and that the husband
had followed them to their camp at this
place, and had shot at the man, but he
escaped, and in his wrath, turned and
murdered his wife. The children, in
the melee, had hid; and thus their lives
we're saved. When the murder was dis
covered, the babe was found covered
with blood, and trying to suckle its dead
mother.
The husband was captured, tried and
sent to the State prison, but afterwards
gypsy money, it was supposed, secured
his pardon.
Thus did the prophecy, uttered in jest,
prove true.
The lady who told it is still living in
Chico. California.
Seattle, Nov. 18th, 1882.