The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1910-05-17
dowry; while widows looked for II
second husband, and disappointed low
ers wanted to know how fate would
revenge them,


second husband, and disappointed low
ers wanted to know how fate would
revenge them.
The so-called astrologer has, It
seems. been giving satisfaction to all
until recently Some Of his custom
ers. finding that the predictions did
not exactly come out as they had ex-
pected, vented their discomfort in q
formal complaint, which they lodged
with magistrate. A police ofncer
was appointed to inquire into the case,
and the first discovery which he made
was that the fortune-teller had q vast
practice" which the most successful
practitioner might envy.
Had Many Customers.
He had as many as $4,000 custom
ers, in all. ranks Of society. When ap.
piled to he would readily, and without
exacting fee, cast the horoscope of
the applicant. II more was wanted
the price was SO for complete "for-
tune" IS for one less complete; Is
francs for a period of fifteen years:
10 francs for ten years, and five francs
for five years. Those who encouraged
the alleged astrologer actually pro-
posed a sort of association of his fol-
lowers, to be called The Universal
Fraternal and Spiritual Union" with
the object Of buying him house to
cost about $4,000, to be built some
where in the country, preferably on a
high spot, and with nice garden
around it. Much of the money. It
seems, had already been subscribed
when this complaint came along to
interfere with the scheme.
In passing 1t may be ,aid that the
trade of an astrologer or fortune-tel-
Ter is not one of the lega1sy recogniz-
ed professions In France, and the po-
lice have from time to time tried to
check the practice. But so many dis
appointed lovers, prospective brides,
and Tilted spinsters, and perplexing
specimens of the sterner sex long SO
much to have their fortunes told by
men with foolscap bonnets and wiz
ards sticks that the police gave up as
hopeless t. uproot the prejudice. and
connived at the goings-on of astrolog-
ers and their clients.
The one against whom the COM
plant has been lodged is no better and
no worse than his colleagues, and is
going about in full liberty, Carrying
ON his trade unmolested by the police
inquiry, which he hopes will turn out
to his advantage.
Townspeople Held Trains.
A surious conflict has arisen be-
tween pretty suburban place, known
as Ville-neuve-le-Roi, situated not far
from Juwisy and the Orleans Railway
company, whose line passes through
the town. For the last fifteen years
the residents Of the district, who num-
ber about 5000, have been petitioning
to have station. and the company
has persistenly ignored their request,
and compels them to go to Albion, q
half hours watk, to take the train.
Having lost all their patience, the
townsfolk turned out in body, walk
led to the lin, and held up the south
ern express. and the Limoges to Paris
fast train as we'll. They little imag-
ined the tremendous excitement which
their act caused at the neighboring
stations and in Paris. Within a few
minutes Of each other, the telegraphic
transmitter reported, first, Sud ex-
press blocked, then Limoges to Paris
blocked. The station masters bound
ed from their desks, and the chief
superintendent of the headquarters
|trembled.
All they could learn in supple
mentary message was that both trains
were held up within a few hundred
yards Of the thirteenth kilometer post.
The thirteenth kilometer post in ques-
tion is the only way in which the rail
way company deigned to recognize the
important town Of Villeneuve-le-Roi.
Meanwhile. as the trains were
blocked at No. 13 post. the band.
known as L'Amicale de Villenuvre.
played tune on the road, while a
chorus of boys and girls sang, and
otherwise tried to show their Joy to
the amazed passengers in both ex-
press trains. who had to make a
strong mutual effort to convince them.
selves that they were not travelling
Through some wild part Of Africa pop
ulated by savage tribes.
During all this time; the leading
citizens Of the thirteenth kilometer
post were parleying with the chief
guard Of the train. to which they
handed big sign-board, with the in
scription. I'VE want a Station" The
guard took some time to realize the
situation. and that he was not dealing
with settlement of lunatics, let loose.
The 13-kilometer post had hitherto
been peaceable spot. to which he
never paid the slightest attention in
his weekly travels between Paris and
Irun. 1t was now brought home to
him by means Of red flags. A deputa-
tion. consisting Of the mayor himself,
the member of the chamber, all the
local dignitaries, and chief citizens
and shopkeepers, accompanied by a
band and chorus, made it clear that
they had selected No. 13 for q station.
They had petitioned the railway COM
and had obtained no satisfaction.
Mayor Led Party.
We will hold up the trains was the
decision to which they came at pub
lie meeting called for the purpose of