The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-23
EVILS OF FORTUNE TELLING.
A Lady Frustrated as a Result OF
Pessimistic Gypsy's Visit.

AS the result OF having her fortune
told by Gypsies Mrs. Chambers, the
wife o. a well-known farmer living on
the New Market road, not far from THIS
city, is now in a critical condition. n
band of these nomads camped not far
from tho house a few days ago. They
we're QUIET and orderly, not being given TO
the depredatiOns that generally charact-
erie their nomadic race. and the farm
ers of the neighborhood did not withhold
their hospitality TO their invited guests,
but instead granted sundry requests for
fuel and food.
The gypsies, under these pleasant aus
pices. waxed contented and babe fair 10
make their stay long one untl lhuIs-
dav when the ire OF the farmer folk was
raised against them and should the wan
derers refuse TO change their location II
threatens 10 take violent shape
Mrs. Chambers IS or was thrifty wo-
man. and while her hearty sons and nus
band made the waste places OF the oroad
fields TO blossom, she with her daughter
managed the farm home IN way that
made II famous for It's neatness ana the
excellence OF It's living.
She is not given 10 superstition but the
long nights of country solitude as hSI
years grew many had tainted her tenn
nHlAnlfuI
which the visit OF the gypsy folk did not
tend 20 lessen. despite the many assur-
ances of security held cut by her nus
hand and sons Her fears. which she now
and then ventured were laughed al ana
the bows bravely endeavored TO point out
their fallacies.
But Mrs. Chambers was not reassured
and although she could view band OF a
hundred gypsies with equanimity IN the
day time her apprehensions gave EVIL
dence of themselves in the many pre-
cautions she insisted on at night. The
old stories that had frightened her chlio-
hood vet haunted her memory and would
not be driven away.
II was in this state, bordering super-
stition. that she was found by the Two
swarthy little gypsy women when 'hey
came Thursday TO ask Tor food
The requests had become SO frequent
on the part OF tho band recently mat
the farmers were becoming chary ABOUT
Welding up the good things OF their
pantries and hen coops and the gypsies
were compelled 10 offer some return Iof
these gifts.
The two gypsies, one withered, beady-
eyed nag and the other a true dauBhter
OF ROmany beautiful in Wild way that
spoke OF her life beneath the skies, APP
proached the farm kitchen and accosted
| the farmers wife who as usual was busy
with culinary cares in the cOmmOdlOus
| kitchen.
would the lady be so kind as to pro-
| vide a couple OF fat pUllets Tor tnenF ii
the fowls were forthcoming the gypaies
promised they would tell Mrs. chambers
fortune.
Mrs. Chambers was not averse. but II
was with timidity that she invited the
|
Ii was a scene as thrilling as the siBhI
Of "A bird charmed by d snake inc cray
haired famous wife. win race over Wlltll
the contrasting emotions OF chliuinh ledl
and of WOmaniy confidence ana courage
constantly played, sat IN the hish-Ddchel
rockfug-chair while before her sat, or
rather crouched' tue suz1lea byp5i ~, 49,.
her serpent eyes nNed on the tVll-" III ~ D.
palm that she traced win hec ela"-llEs
forednger as she muttered- strange ayl-
| tables. .. ~,
THE fortune-telling was soon over. Many
things In a strange way were lolu tp
Mrs Chambers which were true. @it
had many enemies the gypsies 'oi"
her. and these enemies wOulG wreck taelr
/ spite on her by poisoning the well from
| ~ was almost I'm faintng condition
that Mrs. Chambers finally dismissed Tue
| women. after giving them tne eHleN1N'
that they had asked for. ., 49,. n,o
When the men folks 4clltntu 10 ,le
house shortly aftcrWari, th'F IouHu MI -
| Chambers delIriOus ana soon she went
| into commissions, which l3sleu lot an
| hour. ,,u,1 b,,
sbook his head gttatciy wien he found
/ the attack so persistent. lcs,rIuiy Hiol'-
inc ne did not think that there was nope
for Mrs Chambers recovery
The family Us Dlung2l % sret ana me
| and many of them Jaik OK forcibly eject
l inc fho gVDgleg.