Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-10-11
YOUR HOROSCOPE CAST.

ments generally read something like
this:
YOUR HOROSCOPE CAST.
Send us the date of your birth.
tday month and year, and we
will tell you what you may ex-
j. pect in life. Careful readings
made by the most expert inter
prefers of the Science of the Oc-
= ult. Any three questions you
. may ask will be answered for a
q. nominal charge of - cents-ten
cents and postage stamp-and
full reading given for fee Of 81. +.
minimum.
Here seemed TO be something new,
and Simpkins determined to look into
IL. Not that he wished his own future
told. interesting as that might be. but
be thought that perhaps he could make
something out of telling others. Evil
1ently there was money in II. else why
would so many be engaged in the bust
ness? True. The fees looked a little
small. Still. in the aggregate. they
might mount up. and anyway he must
take conditions as be found them.
So Simpkins set himself 10 the study
Of the occult. He paid daily visits 10
the Astor Library and searched
through. old tones on the influences OF
the heavens. For he was honest in
4 way-was Simpkins. and he had no
notion of taking money without CIV
ing some return.
Having thus at length versed him
self in the science Of horoscopy. Simp-
kins inserted advertisements in the
rural papers. They were very much
ike those which had attracted his own
attention. and offered to answer three
questions for 10 cents. an unlimited
number for collar, and soon Simp-
kins was doing e brisk business. From
the data in the letters he was casting
horoscopes and reading futures with
4 zeal and an enthusiasm proportioned
% the prospect of much wealth and
he temporary novelty of the occupa-
lion. Incidentally Simpkins was be-
coming interested in his correspond
snts-pa-ticulaIly those of the fair
and gentle sex. They wrote such con-
dding, candid letters. full of little con-
fdences and tender pleadings. that the
sympathetic heart of Simpkins was
touched. Here was one, for instance,
which reached him on the very first
day OF his new enterprise:
My Dear Mr.. Simpkins: enclose
you at once 81 Tor a complete reading.
not waiting to test Your abilities, CT
which | have every confidence. by a
preliminary three questions. | have
for some time rcea contemplating the
subject Of matIImony. Let me hasten
TO add that as yet my affections are
centred on no one. The point on
which | wish to consult you is this:
At the tire OF my birth the planet
Jupiter was ascendant. q nave been
told this at least) Jupiter having thus
influenced my ;ativity. | suppose l
have "joviai" n2ture-indsed. am
sure Of il. Nov, what kind of a hus-
band ought ''joyial' girl to have?
The reason | arr so anxious for disin-
terestcd adVice--as yours must be-is
that l am possessed of considerable
wealth in my own right. and fear that
some of my su:tors may rot be unin-
fuenced by mercea2ry motives. Very
sincerely yours,
AIELIA r. DOBSON.
) Here was something which gave
Simpkins another of those ideas for
which, as has been stated. he was ia
nous. Why no. himself try to win the
fair-but here is the letter Itself.
which he wrote in reply:
My Dear Miss Dobson: have read
your letter with interest, and have
made careful examination of the in
fuences which prevailed at the time
Of your nativity. You are quite correct
in saying that the planet Jupiter was
il preponderant position. ard that
your nature should therefore be a
pleasant and aEiable one--"jovial," in
fact. To be happily married your hus-
band should be, | should say. of me-
dunn build and fairly tall. light. rath-
er than dark. complexion. about five
even six, years your senior and of a
disposition not radically different from
your own. AS you are wealthy. the
chances of a happy marriage would
he greatly augmented were your nus
band TO be comparatively poor. | am
yours very truly. etc.
In which description those who knew
Simpkins could not fail to recognize
that astrologer himself. even to the
last particular of being poor.
BY just what steps Simpkins ulti-
mately succeeded in obtaining the &C.