Evening star., 1898-03-12

| %M rleS OF now but a
short time intervenes
between now and when the big guns. SO
long mute. will speak with steely lips and
| in tones of thunder announcing that rncIe
sam has called Spains bluff and raised it
| fifty millions. with two or three fifties
more to spare.
1t has been stated to a Star renorter on
| the best of authority that the peaceful re
| lations existing between the United Statas
and every country on the face of the elobe
VIII not be disturbed. The authority is
| not to be disputed 1t comes from a higher
authority than Congress or the Preside nt
hiLhseiI. particular stress should be laid
on the higher. In short the confidence
restoring, peace-assuring declaration comes
from tne stars, which have been read and
interpreted for The Star Of Washngton
through the medium of one of the most
S SCUnpctent all-around catch-as-ca tch-can
Ifseco-Roman problem wrestlers and oues-
tion soions in the capltal-in other words
ogist. ''''' VI
To the all-important question which is
perpeXing the diplomats of two countries
Just now and causing such strained rela-
tlons tRat mere movement to reach for a
handkerchief on the part of one or the 9TH
er is regarded as one to draw a stiletto or
bowie knife, the medium answered posi-
llEeiy MI. Then correcting herself i'm
nied1ately, as behOoves one engaged in
setting matter Of vital importance to
millions of persons, I'VE will have no war.
Don't forget it." Then she asked suddenly.
are you stock broker? If you are keep
this Information to yourself 1t will be
worth thousands to YOU"
Beng magnanimouS and unselflsh, how
ever. the recipient of the information here
distributes 1t 10 the public broadcast with
a lavish hand.
Stars Were PrOpitiOus
The stars appeared unusually propitious
"hen the medium was visited in regard to
the mission Of determining whether the
var would or would not come This was
In view of the fact that it was in broad
daylight, 100, when the stars are not SUD-
posed to shine. This is when those whose
mental vision Is not considered, however
Or course 1t Is entirely different with clair
Vcyants, who can see through stone walls
ana even pierce the muddy water of Ha-
Vana harDor and disclose secrets which
have puzzled the most expert divers up to
TINS time. Perhaps the stars yielded up
thelr Information so quickly with their
sclntillatlng rays, because other visitors
with possible fees awaited the medium
The casket which inclosed this DearI of
Information was not what might have been
generally supposed to contain an oracle of
such remarkable powers. 1t was a decided
ly communicating residence though on
rather prominent street. Instead Of mind
puZZling hieroglyphics covering the front
or the place, it was adorned with signs
bearing the cla1ryoyantS name and office
hours. 1t might have been the residence
of some retired washwoman, who had been
able TO give up business on moderate
competency gained from patrons who had
yielded up their cash gladly when they
found that holes did not. appear in each
separate piece of laundry after every wash
"A ring at the bell brought slatternly-
looking colored woman. Was the medium
in? She was, and the visitor was invited
into an ill-lighted, not too sweet-smelling
front parlor. This was occupied by a gem
lleman OF large proportions, with large
mustache, which he wore with the air of a
foreign count in disguise. His accent
heightened further this idea With an i'm
pressive air worthy Of one who was per-
mitted day after day to associate with a
seer, he told the newcomer that the madame
would await on him presently.
Guardian of the Temple.
"Seatez vous,' he said with the grand
air. He was not French it was disclosed
later, but German, and was so familiar
with the two languages, including q score
or SO of others, that he frequently began
a sentence in one tongue and employed five
or six others before the sentence was fin
lshed, providing, of course, it was long
one.
BE patient, madame will be wis you in
a short while"
He was a man of the truth. She ap-
peared from back room, somewhat hastily,
as II she had just been putting the finish
ing touches to her toilet.
VIII ze shentleman have sitting? Oui,
yes. Certainement. l shall have Ze great
pialsir to answer any and all ze questions
en- all subject. Follow me-
The count disappeared from the room and
madame led the way into her holy of
hoiles. Before the two parted, however,
there was quick glance of recognition be-
tween them, who should say, do we
make OF heem SlIpkair 1OaS ba ISa
OF us ze foolishnesS? Comprenez vous and
vaila tout
Madame was not bad looking little
woman, with a more than commonly
shrewd face, and blue eyes which looked
the visitor through and through, which
was not at all wonderful, when it is con-
s,dered that she can see the stars on a
bright day, and tell their meaning
without the aid of a telescope. She had
decided soubrette appearance, and the way
In which she "sized up her visitor while
appearing not to do so showed that she
evidently had taken some lessons In read
ing human nature, or attempting to do So
She evidently did not know whether the
visit had been made in good faith CT not,
but decided to go ahead in her usual way
Cheap at the Price.
"One dollar for sitting, at which ze
question are answered, five dollar for ze
trance" she said in rhythmic tone A
dollars worth was what was wanted and
the clairvoyant, being a business woman,
proceeded with her preparations.
The room in which she took her seeker
for information did not SAVIOR in the least
OF the occult. 1t had more of hair-oil
flavor, and was evidently the sleeping
chamber Of the seeress. 1t contained lot
of ordinary furniture, in addition to sofa
at one side of The room. She led the way
up to a little table, ON which was a writing
pad and pencil. Pointing to these, as If
her time was valuable, she told her visitor
to write any questions he desired to have
answered, with the name Of the departed
friend whom they concerned, on the slip.
mo, no; you must not tell me what Ze
question are. Will know through my pow
ers of clairvoyancy. See?"
The reporter saw later, for the hint at
what those questions were was calculated
to destroy the potency OF little trick
which madame was to take the pleasure of
working.
Three Questions.
The number of questions for the first
round was limited to thrse. These were in
scribed on the paper. together with the
name Of one Of the unfortunates who per-
ished with the Maine. The questions were:
WAS ths Maine destroyed by design?''
will there be a war with Spain?" ''If SO,
when will 1t begin, or II not, when will the
strained relations be at an end?"