e agreeable to me to tell you a good life, for it
sometimes pains me more than I can tell you to read bad lives to
people, and I feel it very deeply; but I assure you that I never
saw anybody's cards run as badly as do yours--I never saw so many
losses and crosses, and so much trouble and misfortune in
anybody's cards in my whole life--even if you outlive the nine
months you will have the greatest trouble in getting the lady,
and will always have bad luck."

She then tried by means of the cards to spell out the Inquirer's
name, but failed utterly, not getting a single letter right; then
she recommenced and threatened him with so much bad luck that he
began almost to fear that he would break his leg before he rose
from his chair, or would instantly fall down in a fit and be
carried off to die at the Hospital. She told him that his lucky
days were the 1st, 5th, 17th, 27th, and 29th of every month. Then
perceiving that his feelings were deeply moved by the intractability
of the "cruel parients" of the light-complexioned lady, and the
black look of things generally, she slightly relented, and went
on to say:

"If you will put your trust in me, and take my advice as a
friend, I can sell you something that will surely secure you the
lady, and thwart all your enemies--it is not for my interest that
I tell you this, for upon my honor I make only five shillings
upon fifty dollars' worth--it is no trick, but it is a charm which
you must wear about you, and which you must wish over about the
girl at stated times, and it will be sure to have the desired
effect."

The customer asked the price of this wonderful charm.

"It is from five to fifty dollars, but as you are so
extraordinarily unlucky I would advise you to take the full
charm. It is the _Chinese Ruling Planet Charm_, and I import it
from China at great expense. You must wear it about you, and
every time you use it you must do it in the name of God; so you
see there can be no demon about it. By means of this charm I have
brought together husbands and wives who have been apart for three
years, and I say a woman who can do that is doing good, and there
is no demon about her. While you wear it you will not die or meet
with bad luck, but it will change the whole current of your
life."

She then told her unlucky hearer to make a wish and she would
tell him by the cards whether he could have it or not. The answer
was in the negative, and it was evident that nothing but th