The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1884-04-18
Fson the san Francisco Areoasu..

ing. On the door was sign, madame
de Cassias, the Celebrated Diviner." We
pulled the bell; an old woman opened
the door, and the captain asked to see
the madame. The old woman replied,
in broken English; that she was that
person. and invited us into the parlor
Here she informed US that her charge
was five dollars apiece. But the captain
explained that was friend who had
only come with him to hear his fortune,
and not to have mine told. This seemed
satisfactory to her, and she requeeted
that we seat ourselves on a sofa between
two front windows, asking the captain
whether he wished his fortune told by
cards or by pictures. He replied, "By
pictures," and the woman then closed
the folding. doors, shutting US of from
the back room-for it was q double par.
roll of black cloth, which completely
hid the folding doors, she closed the
shades and pulled cover over the win.
dows, closing out every glimpse of
light. The room was dark as night,
and we silently awaited develop.
ments.
Suddenly faint disk of light appeared
upon the screen. It grew larger and
4
the slladowy outlines ofa picture. We
saw-faintly at first-a room, which in q
little time became clear and life-like. It
was the living-room of an old New Eng
land farm house. Seated in the room
were a man and woman, the latter hold
ins baby. They seemed to be talking
together and to be moving.
The captain exclaimed: "Whv that's
| father and mother. But why is mother
holding baby?"
In answer to his question the woman
repliet,:
'.That child:is yourself, and the pictures
which will follow refer to the important
events Of your life."
The first picture then faded from
view, and another appeared-a country
school. house where, boy was being
logged bv the teacher.
"rhats what / got" exclaimed the
captain, "for kissing girl. How I did
hate that teacher, thoughy
As the second pictare melted into
darkness. the scene was changed to a
bank Of fog. We could see it gradually
| Why. there's the Sarah Ann-the
| fishing-smack in which l first went to
sea, to the Grand Banks. How sea- sick
was! thought if ever got home Ia
never go to sea again; but I've been 90.
ing ever sin:e."
In the next picture ship was being
run into by q steamer. We could see the
steamer bearing down upon the ship
and tear her way almost through, be-
fore the ship filed and sank. The
steamer lowered q boat and picked up
the men whom we could see struggling
in the water.
| II can almost hear again the crunch
ing Of the timbers as that steamer cut
us in two!" was the captains remark.
| The succeeding picture was . view in
some European port. There was fight
going on between number ofmen. Sud-
denly one of them fell to the ground,
stabbed in the thigh. The captain ex.
claimed:
sit was mighty close call for me that
time!'
As picture after picture was thrown
upon , the ,a screen: ne recoEniz ID g and .l re-
representations. Among the last of the
pictures was one of his marriage in q
country farmhouse. One after another
drove up to the gate, hitched their
teams to the fence, and entered the
house. The picture changed to show
the interior, with the captain and his
bride standing before the minister, who
pres ntly pronounced them man and
wife; and there followed a general kiss
ing. and hand. shaking all around. I
had never seen Farnhaln's wife; but the
| young bride in the picture 80 resem-
bled a captain with whom had been to
sea on this coast, that inquired If she
we're that captain's sister, and learned
that such was the case. :.
The next picture showed the farewell
between the captain and his wife when
he sailed for this port. A little baby
lay clasped in her arms. Following this
came one of ship at sea in tie midst OF
a terrible storm. As we looked, we saw
the mast break and go crashing over the
side. recognised the most prominent
likeness to Captain Farnham was per.
feet.
| The succeeding scene was the Golden
Gate of our harbor, with the same ship
coming in with q iury-mast. which had
been rigged. The vessel was in tow of a
tug; and the captain observed in com.
nent:
"I was in luck that time, for the cy.
clone disabled us SO didn't expect to
reach port"
"Next appeared q bedroom in which
we could see the Captains vito undress-
| As she put the little fellow into Oed, she
his side.
"God bless my wife! she is too good Q
woman for me-" was what the captain
eaid in. .tremulous tones.
The woman now told the captain that
her task was finished. He remonstra-
ted. eaying that he had not paid 10 see
only the past which ne already knew.
Although he would acknowledge that
the pictures had faithfully repre-.
scnted the important events OF his life,
still he wanted to know and see what
was to happen to him in the future.
The old woman tried to impress upon
him tina. it was better to leave the vale
0fthe future undisturbed, for it vas not
bright for him. But he insisted upon
seeing everything.
With changed voice and manner, the
seeress exclaimed: "If you will, be II
30. Behold the end!''
And upon the curtains grew the out.
lines OF heavy breakers on harbor.bar
a gallant ship was vainIy struggling in
l WOhCn 0uW OlouJ0utlCuS SeSJU GHCu wave
threatened toengulf her in destruction
One after another her masts went top.
pling over. As she was lifted and thrown
by the sea, We could see her breaking II
pieces. The sailors were washed off
and went whirlinx into eternity. Only
two Of them feached the shore, and
crawled up ON the sand exhausted.
The captain was the last to be carried
away b. the waves. Atthe right of thu
scene was long. sandy point forming
the shore ofa bss. On the point was
lighthouse and a liie.ssving station; w
could Gee, the men get the lie boat oul
4 bsash; but by the time it was ready &
laupch there - nothing Of tho vease
4 left-.hs had e(pe alto places. Thai
4 4 ~ tl,s gidnse cles q. 81 h, ttally yok. d!