Year: 1871

was large room, handsomely fitted up and, like the
Other overlooking the street. On table in corner
near which Madame Clara was seated, was small black
box and short wand Of ebony tipped at each end with
silver. Madame is undoubtedly French woman, al
though she speaks English with far greater accuracy
and freedom than many American women In her "pro-


esson." "W you have your fortune told by cards. or
clarvoyance" she inquired. difference Of % in price
decided the question In favor Of cards. box was u-
locked and most marvellous pack Of cards produced
apparently numbering about l00 which were painted
kings, queens, horses witches, and devils, besides
great variety Of weapons Of warfare OF the tale
told by this differed in almost respect from
the previous and it may be well TO state here that


In is visits TO different fortuneellers the reporter has
had Just that number of several and distinct destnies
marked out for him. When the object for which the
| visit was made was broached Madame Clara sad


al Idon't know that can help you to find what you
| want; you are too particular"
Have you many TO choose 'front.'


"Yes have young girls come to me, many Of them
belonging to the best families in the city, but you can't
get them to leave their homes. There is where the
trouble There is another class, OF whom know
hundreds which consists OF young married ladies whose
husbands clerks in down town. small sala
ries These continually coming to me TO be intro
duced TO gentlemen who viii give them money to buy
silk dresses and the like. You have idea how much
| these ladies will do for the cake Of dress"


"Do you find any gentlemen friends for themP





that it wouldn't be safe to practice in smaller place
NewYork is cosmopolitan that might do almost
| anything and not be found out have a great many
different gentlemen friends some that belong to the
City Government. 1 would rather not carry out your
idea but IL you would be cOntented with anything like
what have mentioned, why think some arrangement
| might be made"


! This, however, was not exactly what the reporter
wanted; and finding that Madame Clara not quite
corrupt Of her class he let the matter drop
WOULD SEND YOU ANY INNOCENT GIRL
| Mrs L. Gipsy formerly in Barnums Museum, but
now occupies dirty little house, situaedatSo. -
ST., between Elizabeth and Mottsts On entering, the
reporter found that there several ahead OF him
waiting for opportunity to consult the Seeress Mrs


Gypsy, who is a very lame very stout, and very old
woman, obging enough to notice that he was in
| hurry, and therefore beekoned for him to enter the
little candleighed where she sat, utterly regard
less Of those who had been waiting for an hour and
Here the future told by Of greasy pack Of
playing cards. which showed unmstakabe marks of hav
ing been long employed in that service To the reporters


inquiries, Mrs. Gipsy said have never done anything
of the kind though know that most of the women in
line Of business do such things. You am old and
my business supports Inc, and If were to change it l
don't know what would be the effect. There great
many ladies come to see me who ask me If can't assist
them, and in this way think very likely may do some
thing for you but beyond that 1 don't wish to go.
don't know how il is in other cities, but know in New
York that there plenty in my business who would
send you any innocent girl If they only paid enough
for it, You might better come and see me week from
this tme there several ladies who have spoken to
me, and would like to them and talk to them about
It, The next visit OF the reporter TO the house OF
| Madame Evans, No. - Ave. He admitted by
the herself who, after showing him to the recep
zion room went of to prepare herself for her part She
returned, bringing with her pack OF cards. and
the customary performance was again gone through
with In respect to the reporters project she expressed
the same scrupes that the two preceding persons had
She knew that it very generally practced, but she
did not like the idea Of cOrruptlng any She said
"Why don't you advertise if you want to be particu
lar OF there will be great many of all kinds
that will answer it but then there often schoolgirls
that just for fun and drop off before they know it,
Most of my customers ladies' you know Men don't
believe much in this sort of thing II you think you
could be satisfied with what can do for yOu you might
call again. and in the time will try to see what
can do"


SOME WHO COME IN CARRIAGES.
Madame Watts claims to be the only Trustworthy
colored astrologtst. Her house is in the rear
OF No. West st. 1t is very neatly
fitted up. The windows have lace curtains, the
floor is richly carpeted, and the furniture and
paint have an appearance Of cleanliness contrast
inc strongly with fmOst places of this character
Prominent on the cenertabe in the main room-which
may be parlor dningrOom or anything else-is large
family Bible and smaller copies Of the same volume
may be seen in several Of the other rooms Madame
Watts pure negess OF almost 40 years OF age tall
and muscular, and with purity Of accent and facility
of expression quite for one Of her race Her man.
per of telling fortunes is entirely by cards. and the in
penious manner in which she does this may in great
account for the large patronage she receives
In reply the questions asked by the reporter she sad
I don't know what could better compare my place TO


than dry goods store. All kinds and classes of people
come here. have some who come In carriages and
binOb but 4 "A
little hard to tell what kind of people you are dealing
with When some ladies come may see in the cards all
about them; but If tell them that they are not wholly
stra ght, they will deny it,"


care the greater part of your customers OF this kndP
ayes but don't mean by that that they not the
wealthest This city has changed great deal within
the past few years. it is nowhere near as moral as 1t
used to be- would MT Ike say that the public schools
did IT. but those schoolgirls about as wild set as you
can find anywhere, and great deal more likely to be-
come bad than good"


CHOW as TO the shopgrlsP


"Dear me- you would have to hunt to find one in
twenty who was all right. think can do something
fr you should have to look around little as do MT
know any one just that think would suit"
How will you manage itP


"I find that the best way in which this thing he
carried out let the young lady live at home with her
parents; for II she is young from Is TO II, and leaves
them entirely the first thing you know she is on the
town. She can't keep still but If she has money to
spend she wants TO make show. am quite certain
there will be no difficulty in doing what you wish. You
may have to wait day or two. but in the course of
week you might have dozen choices"


A KIND oF'A MATRIMONIAL OFFICE.
Madame Widger occupies the upper story at No. -
AVE. near Fourteenth-st The reporter. having
groped his way up two fightsiof rckety stairs, was
shown to the apartments of this infamous creature II
a search were made throughout this city for woman
whose physiognomy best adapted her for this vile bus
ness there hardly be doubt but that she would be
selected at first sight Her face is study for painter
there is in 1t the meanest kind OF cunning combined
with a ewd Indifference or defiance OF everything pure