eady mentioned that there are a number of persons
in the city who do more or less in the fortune-telling way, who
never advertise for customers. These we must leave to their own
seclusion; as our business has been with those who make a
business of this species of swindling, and who use all manner of
arts to entice the curious, or the credulous, into their dens,
there not only robbing them of their money, but often putting
them in the way to be injured much more deeply. This, of course,
is especially the case with young girls.

In order to give the readers of this book an idea of the part
taken by these fortune-telling women in many of the terrible
dramas of crime constantly enacting in city life, an extract
showing the _modus operandi_ is here inserted. It is from one of
a series of very useful little books published in this city, and
entitled, "Tricks and Traps of New York."

Speaking of New York fortune-tellers, the author says, having
previously indulged in some severe remarks about "yellow-covered"
novels:

"To see how the fortune-teller performs her part, let us suppose
a case:

"A young, credulous girl, whose mind has been poisoned by the
class of fictions above referred to, is induced to visit a modern
witch, for the purpose of having her 'fortune told.' The woman is
very shrewd, and perceives, in a moment, the kind of customer she
has to deal with. Understanding her business well, she is
perfectly aware that love and marriage--courtship, lovers, and
wedded bliss--are the subjects which are most agreeable.

"She begins by complimenting her customer: 'such beautiful eyes,
such elegant hair, such a charming form, and graceful manners,
are altogether too fine for a servant or working girl.' She must
surely be intended for a higher station in life, and she will
certainly attain it. She will rise in the world, by marriage, and
will one day be one of the finest ladies in the land. Her husband
will be the handsomest man she has ever seen, and her children
will be the most beautiful in the world. Fortune-tellers always
foretell many children to their female customers; for the
instinct of maternity, the yearning desire for offspring, is one
of the strongest feelings of human nature.

"Much more of this sort is said; and if the witch finds her talk
eagerly listened to, she knows exactly how to proceed. She
appoints days for other visits; for she desires to get as many
half-dollars out of her dupe as she can. Mean