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$i.oo a Year, in Advance. FOR GOD, FOR COUNTRY, AND FOR TRUTH." Single Copy, 5 Cent.
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VOL. XV. PLYMOUTH, N. C. FRIDAY. JULY 2!). 1904. NO. fyjjj
A PREDICTION VERIFIED
lt By George Biutley. I
TRILLING along Sixth
avijnuo. near Twenty
pjith" street, New York
CiJy, 011 a hall door beside
a large store "window, I
mm uie- gut gn of "Madame Zemora,
Astrologist." To test this wonderful
woman's skill I resolved to spend a
dollar and interview her.
In response to my ring a tidy maid,
with bright blue eyes and white apron,
opened the door, escorted me up one
flight of stairs, and requested me to
take a seat in the anteroom. Mme.
Zemora would be at liberty in a few
minutes. A typewriter was at work
in the next room, and I judged it to be
the madame who was dictating to the
operator. Straining my ears this may
have been wrong of me, but I am nat
uirally inquisitive where the opposite
sex are concerned I was able to fol
low the speaker fairly well.
It was evidently a letter to a lady
patron, and dealt with 'the future.
Madame gave it out in measured tones:
"It see wealth for you. Jupiter is
conspicuous at your birth. In your let
ter you mention that you are in com
fortable circumstances, but your best
days will come after twenty-five, when
money will come to you through the
death of a rich relative. You will
marry next year after a short and ro
mantic courtship. Your partner will
be tall, dark complexioned, with hazel
eyes, dark brown hair and mustache.
About your own age. Fond of sport,
travel and literature. Ho will be a
stranger; you will probably meet him
for the first time next June. The meet
ing will come about in a strange man
ner, through a mishap on his part, or
some uncommon event. lie will not
be so rich as yourself, but the 'agree
ment wiil be good, and he "
Here the servant came into the room,
and I had to busy myself with a maga
zine. In a short ime Mme. Zemora was at
liberty, and apologized for having kept
me waiting so long. She had been en
gaged on some important work for a
rich patron, and did not vish to miss
the mail.
As I walked into the room I passed
behind the amanuensis, who had just
taken an addressed envelope from the
machine. With a glance I read, "Miss
L. Preston, The Poplars, Irvington,
X Y."
Madame was a smart little lady, with
a business air about her, and she soon
came to the point.
"Is there anything special you wish
to learn, sir?", she asked, after obtain
ing the date of my birth and consulting
some books.
"Well to speak the truth, I came
without any definite object in view. I
really don't know what to ask. What
do your patrons generally wish to
know?"
Madame smiled and said:
"All kinds of things. The lady whose
letter kept you waiting, was very eager
to know about marriage, as no one had
come forward to . But, just excuse
me a moment," and turning to her
amanuensis, she asked:
"Did you inclose that photograph. Miss
Thompson?'
"Do you refer to the last letter, mad
ame?" "Yes, Miss Preston's a cabinet
photo."
"No, I've not seen it."
.Madame turned to her writing table
and searched, among the papers.
"Where can it have got to? I placed it
here."
"Pardon me," I remarked, and stoop
ing down I took from the floor a photo
graph. "Is this the truant?"
"Thanks," exclaimed madame: "it
must have fallen from my table," and
she handed it to Miss Thompson.
When I espied the photo it was lying
picture side up; the face was that of a
pretty girl, with laughing eyes and a
mouth like Cupid's bow, a face very at
tractive and not easily forgotten.
spent considerable time with mad
ame. She dived into my past, touched
the present and lifted the veil of the
future.
As to the truth of her science I c.w
not speak, for when I found myself in
the fresh air, all I could remember was
the pretty face of the photograph.
Ulch and pretty, with no lover. The
partner had to be tall, dark, none too
well off financially, aud fond of sport.
il 1
II il
What a lucky fate the stars held out
to some one! Suddenly, I stood, still,
clapped my hand on my knee, and ex
claimed in something more than a
whisper, "What, ho!" A nursemaid
wheeling a child in a baby carriage
pulled up; she evidently thought I was
the child's godfather, and had just
recognized it. The exclamation had
been wrung from me by a thought, not
an ordinary, everyday thought, but
something deep and worthy of a diplo
matist. Of course. Of course it con
cerned the photograph.
Why, I answered Mme. Zemora's de
scription of Miss Preston's prospective
matrimonial partner to a nicety. Tall
and dark, I was fond of sport; really
that was the reason why I was not
well off. The last racing day at the
Long Island Jockey Club had seen me
a loser to the tune of some hundreds,
but speculate I must, it was born in
me.
Why not back myself to win Miss
Preston? She had money and a pretty
face. I was considered handsome, and
if she looked for a partner such as
Mme. Zemora had pictured for her,
then I stood a fair chance. Taking a
coin from my pocket I tossed it up.
Heads I got her, tails I don't. It fell
head, so that decided it. I had to go.
When June came I, like a knight of
old, mounted my steed and rode forth
in search of adventure.
The steed was a cycle in my case,
and the adventure was the attempt to
win the fair Miss Trcston. I was pre
pared to risk bruises and even broken
limbs for her.
My plan was to have a mishap near
her dwelling at Irvington. Make the
worst of it and, if possible, secure an
introduction to her through this. Af
ter that I should leave it to luck, Mme.
Zemora's prediction' and my appear
ance to do the rest.
In due time, mounted on my wheel, I
reached Irvington, secured rooms, gos
siped with the landlord, and managed
to gain all the information I required
as to the residence of Miss Preston.
The following day I rode in that di
rection, and discovered that "The Pop
lars" stood about a quarter of a mile
out of the village, at the foot of a rath
er steep hill. Luck certainly favored
me; it was just the place for a spill,
especially if attempted. As I passed
the gates I saw a female on the lawn
playfhg with a terrier. The dog, see
ing a stranger, barked. This caused
the lady to glance my way.
Sure enough it was the original of
the photograph. Fair hair, slim figure
and as pretty as, or more so, than the
camera had pictured.
The next day I determined to win or
die. Riding through the village I ar
rived at the toil of the hill which would
take me past "The Poplars." Dis
mounting, I loosened the screws con
nected with the brake, putting it out
of order. Then, mounting, I started
down the. hill.
The machine seemed endowed with
life as it bounded forward. As the
speed grew greater my courage grew
less. Of course I could have used my
foot as a brake, but a mishap had to
happen somehow, and as well this way
as any other.
"Faint heart ne'er won fair lady"
and like a knight riding full speed
dowji the course to charge his rival so
down the hill 1 flew. The gate posts
of "The roplars" seemed to rush to
ward me. I set my teeth and prepared
to break as few limbs as possible.
Steering the machine so as to catch the
gate post I took my hands from the
handle-bar to break the fall. Smash!
and as the machine rebounded, I fell
in a heap in the gateway. My arm
pained me, and I felt dazed as I lay
and groaned.
The terrier had evidently witnessed
my unfortunate affair, and came bark
ing to the gates. Presently, I heard
steps coming near, then a voice:
"Robert, Robert! come here quick,
some one has had an accident!"
I groaned to let them know I was
alive. The gate opened, and through
my half-closed eyes I saw Miss Fres
ton and a man servant. Then a sweet
voice said:
"Poor fellow! he's unconscious. Undo
his collar, Robert, while I get some
restorative."
Robert obeyed, and Miss Prestou
brought the stimulant, pouring some
through my clinched teeth.-
I felt ashamed of the part I was
playing, but considering the risks run,
I would go through with it.
"We must get him into the house,
Robert. Can we manage it, or had you
better fetch Sara?"
Robert thought it would be too
much for his young missus, so, to save
further trouble, I gave a big sigh and
slowly opened my eyes.
"Where am I?" I gasped.
"You've had a nasty fall; but let us
help you into the house," said Miss
Preston in a persuasive voice.
"Thanks," I muttered, slowly as
suming a sitting position. Then, as
I attempted to lift my left arm, I gave
a cry of pain it was a genuine cry this
time1 my arm was useless.
Miss Preston's voice trembled as she
asked: "Does your arm hurt? Is it
broken?"
"Yes, I think it is." I exclaimed, as
with Robert's help I got to my feet.
It seemed to be the only serious dam
age sustained, and I reviled myself
for being such a fool.
Perhaps nothing would come of it
after all, but so far my scheme had
worked just as I should have desired,
barring the oroken arm.
"Go for Dr. Burney at once, Robert."
Then, with a blush, she said, "Will you
let me help you across to the house?"
Taking my sound arm. she assisted
me across the lawn, and into a large
room. Then she placed a comfortable
chair for me near a low table, where
I could rest the broken limb.
"I'm afraid I'm putting you to a lot
of trouble," I remarked.
"Oh, don't think that; I'm pleased I
was at home and able to give some
help. How Tid it happen?"
"I was relying upon the brake to
come safely down the hill, but unfor
tunately it failed me, and before 1
knew what had happened, I collided
with your gate post," I explained,
looking down, not .daring to meet her
clear, blue eyes.
Robert soon returned with Dr. Bur
ney, and after sundry groans on my
part, the arm was set.
, "You come off very lucky," said the
doctor; "a smaller thing than that has
smashed many a man's neck."
"Yes, doctor, but you know the old
saying, 'Fools for luck.' "
He did not guess how true it was in
my case. .
"Well, well! with a little care and
patience you will soon have the use of
your arm again. Are you staying in
Irvington?"
"Yes, ft the hotel. I was going to
put a few days in round here, but as
time's my own for a few weeks I
might as well stay longer and nurse
this limb." '
He promised to call at the hotel the
following day and departed.
An elderly Jady entered the room
with Miss Preston, who had evidently
explained the accident to her. '
I handed them my card. She was a
Mrs. Townsend, aunt to Miss Preston.
They walked to the gate with me when
I left.
"Y'our machine shall be sent to your
hotel, Mr. Seaton; I'm afraid it will re
quire a specialist," remarked Miss
Preston, with a laugh.
"Let us know how your arm pro
gresses. If you find time hangs heavily,
our small library is open to you, and
at your service," remarked Mrs. Town
send. I thanked them both, saying I was
fond of reading.
As I walked slowly to the village my
conscience again smote me, but. I
stifled it, and determined to go through
with my adventure.
A week passed, my arm was pro
gressing favorably, aud I had duly re
ported to the ladies at "The Poplars,"
besides making good use of their li
brary. It was really wonderful how
quickly I managed to read a book
through, and how often they had to be
changed. Mrs. Townsend had asked
me to take afternoon tea with them
on two occasions, and a close friend
ship, if nothing more, had sprung up
between Miss Preston and myself. It
was certainly more on my side.
One afternoon I strolled to "The Pop
lars" to return a book. It was' "Guy
Manneiing," wherein astrology is in
troduced. t Miss Treston was in the
library, and I thanked her for the
book, asking her if she had read it.
"Yes! It is a favorite of mine. What
do you think of it?"
Seeing my opportunity to bring the
conversation round to astrology, I an
swered: "Very interesting to believers in the
occult, but, of course, no one puts faith
in astrology nowadays."
Miss Freston colored slightly, saying:
"Well, I'm an exception then, for 1
believe there's a great deal in it."
"May I ask if you have known any
predictions to be verified?" I asked.
"Yes! I've known some to work out
very near, indeed."
"Very near only!" I said, with a
laugh.
"But they may work out quite true
yet," and Miss Preston blushed a deep
red.
"I wish some one had forewarned
me of my spill," I remarked.
She looked at me sharply, saying'.
"It was predicted; I knew something
would happen but how foolish of me!"
and she stopped abruptly.
"No, no! riease, go on," I cried.
"Tell me how it could have been pre
dicted? Who knew that I was com
ing to Irvington?"
"I don't mean that your name was
mentioned, only your description and a
mishap."
"But who was the prophet?" I in
quired'. There was a silence as she toyed
with a book on the table.
"Won't you excuse my curiosity, see
ing I'm the individual concerned?" I
asked.
"You will have to be satisfied with a
fragment of the truth," she Said, smil
ing, "and promise to be a good boy and
ask no more questions."
I promised to be good, so she pro
ceeded "Some weeks ago I had my horoscope
investigated, and must say the result
was correct as far as character, health
and things of the past were concerned;
also some other events have worked
out since, as foretold then. Now, for
the month of June, of tjds year, the
astrologist said" I should strangely
come into contact with a dark gentle
man, probably through a mishap. So
you see it is quite true. You are dark
and a mishap brought about the meet
ing." "Wonderful!" I exclaimed. "But
how did it finish?"
"What about your promise?" she
asked.
"Oh. I forgot, but surely there was
something more," I remarked.
With a mischievous twinkle in her
eyes she glanced at me. saying, "What
more could there be it was just au
event likely to occur in June?"
A reckless feeling came over me like
the one experienced when charging the
gate post. I would know the truth.
Did she love me or not?
"Perhaps I can guess' how it fin
ished," I said, as leaning forward, I
caught hold of her hand. She made no
attempt to take it away, So I con
tinued: "Did the acquaintance ripen, as ours
has done? Did he learn to love you.
as I have done? Did it result in mar
riage? Say yes, Lily; you know I love
you. Will you let the prediction prove
true, and promise to be my wife?"
Laying her head on my shoulder, in
a low voice, she said "Yes." Smiling
and looking into my eyes, she asked
sweetly:
"Arthur, you believe in the stars now,
don't you?"
Bending down, I kissed her lips, and
replied: "Yes, pet, when I look into
your eyes, I do, and my ruling star
will always be your own dear self."
New York Weekly.
A Merry-Go-Kound.
The Osage River, in Missouri, is a
very crooked stream. A farmer who
lived on its banks, and who had a
small flatboat. loaded the boat with
produce one day and floated it down
to the market town. Six miles away,
lie exchanged the produce, for goods
at one of the stores, an ". loaded the
goods oa the flatboat.
"How are you going to get your stuff
home?" asked the merchant. "Get a
steamboat to tow. you back?'
"Not at all." said the farmer. "I'm
going to float it back."
"How is that? I don't understand."
"I guess you don't know much about
this river. It doubles itself , just be
low here and runs back to within less
than a quarter of a mile of my house.
I've got a landing on both banks, and
a team of horses that can drag the
boat over from one landing to the
other. Understand now?"
An Anti-Cough Judge.
Mr. Justice Darling, of England, does
not like coughing in his court. He
says it must stop. "If people cannot
prevent it," he said, "they must leave
the court, and I will recommend them
to a consumption hospital." People
now sit with purple cheeks and bulg
ing eyes, and occasionally haTt fits,
but they do not cough.
UNUSUALVOCATIONB.
8om of the Queer Industries and Trades
Carried on In. New York.
The mystery of "how the other half
lives" means, in part, the question how;
it gets its living. The most out-of-the-way
occupations are found in the larg
est cities. Placards and signboards,
which are quoted in the New York
Mail and Express, show some of the
queer industries and trades carried 011
in New York.
In East Thirty-fourth street a sign
in the window of a house informs the
public that "Birds are boarded here
by the day, week or month." A little
further downtown a sign in a base
ment window announces, "Dogs' ears
and tails cut in the latest fashion." A.
sign in the same locality reads, "I ed
ucate cross cats and dogs to be gentle
and well behaved."
"Young ladies are invited to come ia
and learn the name and calling of their
future husbands," on West Twenty
third street, near Eighth avenue.
"Round-shouldered people made
straight," is announced on East Nine
teenth street; and near Nineteenth
street, on Fourth avenue, "Perfect
grace is taught in tAvelve lessons," and
"satisfaction guaranteed." On the
Bowery, near Houston street, "Ladies
deficient in wardrobe are fashiouably
dressed on easy monthly instalments."
"Sore eyes in poodles effectually .
cured here," is a message displayed ou
East Broadway. In Catherine street,
"Babies are hired or exchanged" for
the use of professional beggars, of
course. In Hester street, "Black eyes
are artfully painted over," and "False
noses as good as new and warranted
to fit," are advertised near Chatham
Square, conveying the impression that
assault is not an uncommon crime ia
some quarters.
On Chatham street the- wayfarer is
told, "Dine here, and you will never
dine anywhere else" a somewhat am
biguous statement and on Mulberry
street an undertaker makes a bid for
business with a sign in his window
which reads, "Why Avalk about in mis
ery when I can bury you for $1S?"
Tabby's Logic.
Do animals reason? In the current
mimber of the Animals' Friend there
is a story told which seems to show
that, in quest of its prey, a cat can.
display all the intelligent watchful
ness of a deerstalker or a poacher. The
animal in question belongs to the man
ageress of a railway station refresh
ment buffets. One day recently Midget
noticed a mouse which had contrived
to find its way into a cupboard among
a lot of wine glasses. Evidently the
cat saw that to capture the mouse in
that retreat would be a somewhat dif
ficult task, so, jumping on to the top
of the cupboard, from a plate there
he gently precipitated a piece of cheese
on to the floor and waited. For over
an hour Midget's eyes were glued on
the decoying morsel, and not in vain.
At last the mouse could resist the
temptation no longer, and made a rush
for the cheese, when the problem which
the cat had seemingly propounded to
himself found a solution.
Au Elephant's Toothache.
I have in my possession an elephant's
tooth, partially decayed. The animal
belonged to my father, who was in the
East Indian civil service at Moradabad,
and as the tooth caused the animal so
much pain that it interfered with its
eating, my father, with the assistance
of the mahout's son sitting on the ele
phant's head and telling him to be
quiet, extracted the tooth by means of
hammer, iron bar and rope. The grate
ful animal liked to have his gums
dressed with tow and gin for days
after the operation. As this happened
before 1812 no anaesthetic could have
been used. London Field.
The Greatest Ocean lepths.
Th3 deepest sounding ever made by
any vessel was by the United States
ship Nero while on the Honolulu-Manila
cable survey, with apparatus bor
rowed Trom the Albatross. When
near Guam the Nero got fathoms,
or 31,014 feet, only sixty-six feet less
than six miles. If Mount Everest, the
highest mountain on earth, were et
down in this hole, it would have above
its summit a depth of 2G12 feet, or
nearly half a mile of water.
KesulU of Advertising.
The Rev. E. E. Whittaker, of Ashta
bula. Ohio, says that his lirst week of
advertising in the newspapers, accord
ing to modern business methods, dou
bled the numbers of his congregation.
Since then he has advertised constant
ly and has achieved what he was un
able to do by any other means tilled
his church entirely.