arthy
skinned he is not competent to decide; but he is able to prove,
by ocular demonstration, to an unbelieving sceptic, that some of
the modern "wise men" are particularly "dark-complected."

Mrs. Grommer, of No. 34 North Second Street, in the suburb of
Williamsburgh, is a case in point. The fame of this illustrious
ebony lady had gone abroad through the land, and her skill in
prophecy had been vouched for by those who professed to have
personal knowledge of the truthfulness of her predictions. But an
air of mystery surrounded the sable sorceress, and it was
declared to be impossible to obtain a knowledge of her exact
whereabouts, except by a preliminary visit to a certain
mysterious "cave," the locality of which was accurately
described.

A cave! this promised well; no other witches encountered by the
Cash Customer, had he found in a cave, or in anything resembling
that hollow luxury.

A cave! the very word smacked of diabolism, and had the true
flavor of genuine witchcraft. Our overjoyed hero thought of the
Witch of Vesuvius in her mountain cavern--of her lank, grey, dead
hair; her livid, corpse-like skin; her stony eye; her shrivelled,
blue lips; her hollow voice, and her threatening arm, and skinny,
menacing forefinger--of the red-eyed fox at her side, the crested
serpent at her feet, the mystic lamp above her head, and the
statue in the background, triple-headed with skulls of dog, and
horse, and boar. Something of this kind he hoped to witness in
the present instance, for he argued that any sorceress who lived
in a cave must surely be supplied with some more cabalistic
instruments with which to work her spells than greasy playing-cards
or rusty brass door-keys. At last, then, he had discovered
something in modern witchcraft worthy the ancient romance of the
name. Triumphant and overjoyed, he prepared for the visit,
confident in his ability to witness any spectacle, however
terrible, without flinching, and in his courage to pass any
ordeal, however fearful. He swallowed no countercharms or
protective potions, and did not even take the precaution to sew
a horse-shoe in the seat of his pantaloons.

It is true he was rash, but much must be forgiven to youthful
curiosity, especially when conjoined with professional ambition.
The carelessness, in respect to his own safety, was productive of
no ill effects, for he returned from this perilous excursion in
every regard as good as he went. He had by this time enti