The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1905-08-09
BILLY AND THE HINDU SEER.

BY WILLIAM n. HAMBY.


if | didn't find that log chain right
there at the roots of that tree.
1T had been lost eight years the
seventh of last May. | remember, me
and Bob Stewart and Claud Tayler
were hauling some logs, and when we
went to load Friday mornin' the chain
was gone, and we had to quit until
went to town and got another"
Billy heard other stories at the post
Office, and at the squire's Office, and
when he joined the group waiting their
turn at the mill, still the only subject
of conversation was the Hindu Seer.
Everywhere he went he found the
story was continued, and everybody
asked what he thought of it, In reply
he merely squinted his left eye; and
shook his head in way that implied
he might have an opinion later. He
was urged to come and be convinced,
as every one else who doubted had,
and he said he thought he would come
out.
Although it had been but seven days
since the Seer had pitched his tent in
the grove of Buckeye Bridge, the
stories of his marvellous revelations
of the past, and his prophecies of the
future had spread until the plough boy
fifteen miles away, stopped at the pas
ture bars to discuss with the milk maid
the wonderful fortune-teller down at
the Bridge.
Hard-hearted old fellows who even
doubted that a message can be sent on
telegraph wire, became firmly con-
vinced that the Hindu had direct com
munication with heaven. Stingy ones
that kept fire all night in June to
save matches, cheerfully paid their
dollar to learn the mysteries of the
future.
Stories of rappings, of signs, of
omens and ghosts that had long since
been laid by slepticism, came back to
memory and were eagerly told and
seriously believed.
Every night the crowds increased,
every day the excitement grew more
feverish Women became nervous,
men superstitious, and children afraid
of the shadows. The country was in
awe, filled with the vague unrest of
mystery.
Billy had accumulated all the infor-
nation he could second hand, and de-
cided to go near for himself Friday
night.
1t was clear moonlight night, and
the crowd, which had begun to gather
soon after sundown, steadily increased.
The grove was full of buggies, wagons
and horses, and still the rattle of
wagons and the whir of buggies from
every direction.
The word quickly passed that Billy
Houck was there, and the interest
doubled. Billy's reluctance to accept
the Hindu's prophecies as direct reve-
lations from the spirit world, had been
the one thorn in the heel of the Seers
followers. Now that he was there he
should be convinced in a way that
would conquer his unbelief for all
time.
Billy had come early and taken a
seat near the centre of the outer tent.
which was almost as large as circus
ring, and contained seats for nearly
a thousand people.
At the east end was raised plat
form from which the Seer gave public
readings free. At one side of the stage
a door opened into a passage way,
which led to the Hindu's gorgeously
furnished tent, where private readings
were given at one dollar per revela-
tion.
The attendant came to the front of
the stage and raised his hand for si-
lence. The red curtain over the door
of the passage way parted, and TALL
majestic figure with flowing beard,
white as snow, turban on his head,
and rich Oriental robe over his
shoulders came forward and assembled
the stage. The lights were so ar
ranged that the audience was in the
full glare, while the stage was in semi
darkness.
The attendant made the usual an
nouncements, and asked for volun-
teers. Several came forward and one
at time their past and future were
revealed to the audience, which lis
tened with the profoundest awe.
After waiting several turns for Billy
to go forward the crowd could no
longer restrain it's impatience. Some
one called Billy Houck!" and the call
Billy" BILLY" was taken up all over
the tent and even echoed from the out
side.
The attendant lifted his hand for ST.
lence, and asked if the gentleman
called for would not come forward
Billy stood up and the crowd began
to cheer, but he did not go forward.
When silence was restored, he said:
"Fellow-citizens, you know l amt
much of believer in fortune-tellin'
but I'm willin' to be convinced I'm
willin' to give it fair trial. Now, this
man never saw me before, and I'll let
him tell my fortune if he will let me
tell one. Well ask Judge Davis of
Sarvis Point to call out some man l
never saw before, and IL don't hit it
as we'll as this man does on me then
I'll give up. Amt that fair" The at