is business, and in his love,
and in his marriage, and in his children. Young ones stop that
noise or I'll beat you black and blue. You have had sickness
lately and your mind has been going this way, and that way, and
t'other way, but you need not worry for it will be all right
soon. Children stop that row or clear right out to the kitchen.
Now mind. I tell you. I see a girl here that loves you very much,
but you don't love her and won't marry her, but you will marry
another girl with black whiskers; no, I mean the feller that is
coortin' her has got black whiskers, and I fear you will have
trouble with black whiskers if you are not careful--the girl has
got black hair and is miserable because you don't write to her.
I'm coming after you, young ones there, with a raw hide and I'll
cut the skin off your backs. You will marry this gal and you will
be very happy, and will have three children, which will be joys
to you. Children, I'll come and kill you in two minutes. And you
will always be prosperous in your business, and you will be very
rich, and you will live to be eighty-five years old. Now you can
cut the cards and make a wish and I will tell you if it will come
true. Yes, your wish will come true, because you have cut the
knave, and queen, and king--if you'd like a speedy marriage with
the gal I told you of, I'll fix it for you for fifty cents extra;
children if you don't shut up I'll come and beat you blind."

The Individual invested a half-dollar as requested, and received
in return a white powder with these instructions;--

"You will burn that powder just before you get into bed, and if
you see the gal to-night you won't see no change in her, but she
will be changed to-morrow. She is kinder down on you now, but she
loves you though her mind is kinder this way and that way, but
she will be changed toward you to-night by what I will do after
you are gone."

The customer departed, leaving this fond mother engaged in an
active skirmish with the two children, both of whom finally
escaped into the street with great howlings.

Madame Lane does a good business. She says that in pleasant
weather she has from twenty-five to fifty calls a-day, mostly
women; but in bad weather not more than fifteen or twenty, and
these of the other sex. Many of these come only to learn lucky
numbers for lottery gambling, and policy playing.

CHAPTER XVIII.

Conclusion.

CHAPTER XVIII.

CONCLUSION.

It has been alr