The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-15
Advances the Fantastic Theory that
Possibly We Have N Latent MEM
DRY for Things to Come"
HE VISITS FoRTUNE-TELLERs
THEY TELL HIM CURIOUS THINGS,
SOME OF WHICH COME TRUE.
He Thinks They Related Nothing but
Thoughts UncOnsciOusIy Held
by Himself.

II Is almost inconceivable. in a certain
sense. why we are unable to look into the
future. a mere nothing, like the opening
of a new brain cell. an infnitesimal change
IN the brain curvatures, an additional
nerve or the extirpation Of an existing one,
might confer upon US that boon, allowing
US 10 see the future with the same degree
OF certainty with which we now view the
past
Indeed, there IS no reason whatever why
we shouldn't know what will happen, for
everything that does happen must, OF
necessity. exist before we become aware OF
# 1t must exist In some form or other,
and its existence must be known to some
one or other.
Without the ability TO look into the fu-
ture, the human brain Is like hermetical-
ly sealed vase, floating on the sea Of life.
The waters Of fate throw il here and there,
tease il and play with it. but never reach
its contents.
No wonder man tried for time immemo-
rial TO fructify the contents Of that unpro-
ductive urn by waves OF light There have
always been prophets, soothsayers and
magicians who claimed the gift OF looking
into the future. And frauds or not. nor
ma or abnormal, many Of them left their
impress. History records their sayings TO
this day. But prophets were rare and far
between, like the diseases that distinguish
them-certain forms OF hysteria and other
nervous phenomena. Hence. the substitutes
-oase irnitationsI Fakirs pretended to
read the future IN the curves marked by
the fight of birds, In the intestines of sac
rifice animals, in the stars, in fire and
water and dreams.
RESOLVED TO INVESTIGATE.
Fascinating as 1 found the study OF an
cient miracle lore, was still more anxious
20 ascertain the attitude of latter-day sci
ence with respect to these things. Let me
say beforehand that 1t has little or moth
ing Of the bcIdness of by-gone days.
The wish to know the future has no
longer any significance in the religious and
political life Of the nations. The wonders
or our own days and Of the past seemingly
suffice to quench the twentfeth-century
mans thirst for miracles. He has not the
time to ask what might be and what will
happen.
But instinct being stronger than reason,
itL-s desire for knowing the future still ex-
lists, even though avoiding the light of
day. Nowadays fortune-telling is prac-
iticed only by the vulgar and despised. II
appeals only to the ignorant and easily
led. and childish or ridiculous means are
employed to attain problematic ends, yet it
Is not wholly without merit, as my own ex-
perience shows.
pursued fortune-telling to it's secret
haunts. its most miserable lurking holes,
for was determined to study the impress
sion 1t makes upon it's devotees. 1 went an
unbelever, but ready to believe, without
prejudice. but. open-eyed, I began my in
vestigations. conscious of the fact that
there is some truth in every error of long
standing-the very survival Of the error
proves that.
WITH PARIS FORTUNE TELLERS.
4 started my tour of discoveries at a
time when project that had got beyond
my control was in suspense. While unable
70 influence its outcome in any manner or
form. I felt that its failure or success
would forever decide my fortunes. Details
! cannot furnish; suffice II TO say that the
party on the other side was far richer and
more resourceful than 1; that. indeed, was
foundering in a maze OF intrigues, while the
result of it was a problem to my mind
battling logic. Hence, / had some pointed
questions TO ask. (Let 1t not be forgotten
that many who deride fortune-telling ap-
peal to an oracle when there is nothing to
appeal for.)
Here takers, butt began by calling on
those miserable astrologers and Sibyls who
imagine that they can read your future in
set OF dirty playing cards. at the bottom
of an unwashed coffee pot or in the white
OF an egg dissolved in water. You smile,
but the earnest investigator is not easily ap-
palled by the apparatus. for truth mas
querades In all sorts of DISCUSSES. In this
world or unbalanced minds, found a deal
OF rascality. stimulation. hypocrisy a verit-
able bedam OF shameless lies. When I got
through with these. 1 went to the most
famous somnambulist Paris boasts of.
This woman claims to become. under
hypnotic influence, the incarnation OF a GER
tain little girl. whom she calls Julia
We sat opposite each other, a broad table
between Us and she asked me to talk to
julia. "a child OF seven or eight" Then her
countenance changed; her eyes and hands.
her whole body. went into commissions; her
hair came down and she was another. Mind
this happened in plain view OF me. No
screens. false lights. or other hocuspocus
HOW THE SPELL WORKED.
During the period OF reincarnation. last
ms several seconds. madame was not pleas
ant 70 look upon; when it was over her face
had the naive and innocent aspect Of early
childhood. And now sharp. clear. girlish
voice emanating from that 80 pounds avoir-
drpois asked in a hesitating, suffering
way.
What do you want? Are you in trouble?
Did you come on your own account or for a
frierd2"
After answering these questions concen-
trated my thoughts on the matter in hand
on TIE different actors in the drama that
meant so much 10 me And after some pre-
Lminary remarks Julia actually entered
into these. my thoughts. read them. not
without apparent difficulty. though. as one
reads the pages O. a book covered over by
layer OF tissue paper. She gave the scene
OF action and mentioned the principal par
>>tles. characterizing each in a few words
that. while naive. hit the mark-aH this
without assistance on my part, without a
hint even by word OF mouth or sign.
VERY well Julia" / said. you seem e
be as well Up IN the case as I. but desire
70 know more. Please tell me. II you can
how IL will all end"
That's hard 20 say. monsieur"
Shall I VIM" insisted.
Julia thought while. You viii be salts