The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-04-27

1 once knew a very delightful old
woman who had many good stories OH the
tip OF her tongue; and who did not think
children were a nuisance. This charming
cid woman was a firm believer in signs
and premonitons; aud among other ac-
complishments, possessed that OF telling
fortunes by means of fairgrounds. did
not like the taste OF tea, but always
drank a portion of cup to get the grounds
in the bottom of it. Then l would turn
the empty cup three times around my
head. hand it carefully to her, and she
would begin.
1t was wonderful the things her small
gray eyes saw in the bottom of my teacup.
might peer into it for hours. but would
only see a few scattered fairgrounds; while
she saw splendid visions, all of which were
forecasts of my future. 1 believed them
all then; having an absurdly trusting
nature and was accordingly happy or
respondent as my fortune was read. She
would push her spectacles back on her
forehead and study the cup intently for
few minutes. "Well, your fortune seems
scattered" she would say. "A man is
coming on horseback. He has a chest
under his arm. He is either doctor or a
lawyer. He is bringing the chest to you.
There are clouds flying all around your
head and YOU are standing in water.
That meant lots of trouble for me, and
worried lest 1 should break my doll or
lose my ring.
Sometimes the grounds appeared in
better shapes and l was lifted far above the
clouds with delight. "0h, this is fine"
my friend would sav-"you are going to
dance. You are all dressed and ready for
it. You have an elegant dress-oh, such
a beautiful dress! The front of it is all
covered with jewels, and you have jewels
in your hair" Here l always went around
and looked over her shoulder into the tea
cup. 1t was very disappointiug-noth
but Jew grounds.
81 don't see anything" l would say.
''Of course YOU DON'T chiIdie, how could
you? You are not fortune teller. But
L can see it very plainly. Yes, here is the
fiddler off in the corner. And here comes
a fine gentleman for you in a coach-just
like Cinderellas. He wears white satin
clothes. too. He hands you in with q
grand bow, and away you go"
Then l made her put down the cup and
! tell me more about the ball-who was
| there, what they wore, how many times
danced and. above all, the supper. Nerv
/ grand personages attended these balls.
! All kings, queens. dukes, duchesses and
! lords and ladies by the dozen. AL wore
very magnificent clothes Pink satins,
| yellow satins, blue satins, laces and feath-
/ ers, diamonds, emeralds. rubies, pearls (;
all the precious jewels were scattered
recklessly over their costumes. The
/ supper we both planned. The
| dishes were gold and silver and
! the cakes six feet high. She was
very fond of stewed ounces and l of ice
cream, so we always have those delacacies
/ on the banqueting board. Sometimes she
took sentimental vein, and though my
| eight years did no. admit of my being mat
/ rimonially inclined, she would solemnly
/ say: II see ring and an altar. And yes,
/ here is a grand lord coming across the sea
and he'll marry thee, he'll marry thee.
| He is tall and very handsome
the handsomest man 1 have ever
seen. He has on clothes OF dark red
velvet, shoes with big diamond buckles, a
| hat with long plumes and he carries a
/ sword. You will live IN gorgeous castle.
All big glass windows and towers Music
Will D ay night and day. There is big
garden with all kinds of flowers"
| Here we stopped 10 pant Imaginary
flowers in my splendid garden. We even
! planned the fountains and walks and
heard the birds which sang in the trees.
Some times We visited the whole neigh
borhood where l was to live or fitted up q
special room for her in the castle, where
she was to live in peace.
There was no coming event which she
did not discover in the tue tea grounds.
| She saw Christmas trees, picnics, parties
new dresses, knew who was coming to
visit us and how long they would stay.
suppose / would have heard these things
in the ordinary way. but it was much
! pleasantcr to hear them told with an all
of mystery, and che never failed TO end
her stories with, Il nave grounds fol
what am telling you"
LAURA A. SMITH.