Part 14

“When will my wedding be?”

she draws four cards and lays them face up on the table. The spots must be counted to get the number of weeks. A Queen or King means a speedy marriage with prosperity. A Knave means a delay. An Ace signifies trouble and bids the inquirer consider well before taking the important step.

“Will my lover be true to me?”

Lay the top 15 cards on the table face up. If the Ten, Nine or Eight of Hearts is among them, the chances are favorable. If the Ace of Spades is among them, the omen is bad. If the King of Hearts turns up, you can trust him for life.

“Have I cause for jealousy?”

Count off the top 9 cards. If the Ace of any suit is among them, beware, for there is someone he loves better than you.

“Shall we ever part?”

Lay out 4 cards from the top in the form of a cross. Count the spots. If odd, then you will never part; if even, be prepared for a short parting in the future. If an Ace is among them, the parting will be a long one.

“Is it advisable for me to change my residence?”

Lay 9 cards in a circle face up. If the middle card is a picture card, remain where you are. If a small card, the number of spots indicate in how many months you should move. If an Ace, it indicates the need of great care.

“What fortune is there in store for me?”

Take off 3 cards and lay them face up. If red cards, they foretell a good fortune; if black, trouble. If a King or Queen appears, it means that influential friends will help. If a Knave, beware of an enemy. If an Ace, you will have a struggle to achieve success.

HEARTS In days of youth, life’s golden spring, When throbs of love begin; Then hearts are trumps, and fate will bring A hand that’s sure to win.

DIAMONDS In summer time of joyous life, When gifts of wealth expand; Then diamonds are trumps, and the happy wife Finds them a winning hand.

CLUBS In the autumn days of life’s decline, When friends are choice but few; Then clubs are trumps, and club-life fine Holds winning hands for you.

SPADES When winter comes with hoary age, Then spades are trumps, my boy. The Sextons spade will close life’s page, With its sorrow and its joy.

Fortune-telling with Dice and Dominoes

A very ancient and fascinating way of telling one’s fortune is by means of two dice, and the following tables make the game easy and interesting. We have confined ourselves to twenty questions, comprising those which would most naturally occur to inquirers desiring to know the future.

Two dice are used. The inquirer first selects the question to be answered, and calling this question aloud, takes the dice either in his palms or in a cup, and throws them on the table. The number of spots of the upper surface of the dice are noted, the corresponding table of answers is consulted, and the answer corresponds in number to the question asked.

If, for example, a lady has chosen the question 5, “How many beaux shall I have?” and the dice fall with numbers 2 and 3 facing upward, the answer would be, “Perhaps one, possibly none.” The same plan is adopted with dominoes, except that all stones containing blanks must first be thrown out. The dominoes are laid with the backs upward, mixed thoroughly, and one at a time selected, and turned over. The number of spots indicate which table of answers is to be consulted.

QUESTIONS.

1. Does he ever think of me? 2. Will someone soon pay me attention? 3. What must I do to please him? 4. Shall I do what is asked of me? 5. How many beaux shall I have? 6. What kind of a man will my husband be? 7. May I trust him? 8. Does he love me? 9. Shall I get married soon? 10. Shall I have many adventures? 11. Shall I be wealthy? 12. Will my secret be discovered? 13. What do people think of me? 14. Shall I see him soon? 15. Shall I receive a letter soon? 16. Shall I receive a present soon? 17. Shall I take a journey soon? 18. Will my condition be improved? 19. Will my wish be fulfilled? 20. Will it prove a blessing?

ANSWERS.

1. He has too much to think about for such thoughts. 2. If you would treat a certain gentleman with a little more regard, he would appreciate it. 3. Do not receive the attention of others. 4. Say what your heart dictates. 5. One, a stout and very unpoetical fellow. 6. Very tall, dark complexioned, quarrelsome, of a jealous disposition; rough, but with the best intentions. 7. Find out what people say about him. It is rumored that there is much falsehood in him. 8. With his heart and soul. 9. In five months or more. 10. No, very few, indeed. 11. You will have money, but you must bear in mind that money does not always make one rich, nor give happiness, and sometimes is the source of bitter woe. 12. If you tell it to nobody; otherwise not. 13. A genius in every respect, but for that reason you are thought to have a great many faults. 14. At an unexpected time. 15. Yes, for it will make you very happy. 16. Not very soon. 17. Yes, the journey of which you are thinking at present. 18. Not in the way you would like it. 19. Yes, sooner than expected. 20. Yes, altho at first you will not be aware of it.

1. Very often; as often as circumstances permit. 2. Wrinkles will be visible on you before that happens. 3. Do not be so terribly affected. Show him by your manners that you have a heart and are honest and sensible. 4. Be careful, for you might be laughed at. 5. One, a very good and amiable young man. 6. Amiable, cheerful, a little romantic, somewhat poetical, good-hearted, but weak. 7. Look in his open, honest countenance and you will know. 8. Simply with ordinary brotherly affection, nothing more. 9. Four years from now. 10. Your life will be rather wearisome. 11. If you are painstaking and very economical. 12. There is one person who knows it, but will never disclose it. 13. A mere fashionable puppet, heartless and soulless. 14. Yes, rather soon. 15. Yes, bringing sad news. 16. Be patient for some time. 17. Not quite as soon as desired. 18. Very soon, and in an unforeseen way. 19. Yes, but not completely, and not quite as desired. 20. If it is taken as Fortune means it.

1. You know exactly what he does. 2. Yes, but only to make a fool out of you. 3. Do not use too much sugar in your coffee, or he will think you extravagant. 4. Yes, do it, if it can be done without blushing. 5. Three, and not one good for much. 6. A little conceited, vain fellow with rather a heavy mustache. 7. Be prudent. 8. Yes, but you share his heart with other admirers. 9. No matter how hard you try, it will not be sooner than four years. 10. Many, but not interesting ones. 11. You will have more than a competence; but you will lose heavily if you or your husband play at cards with money. 12. You will disclose it. 13. Quick at repartee, but not really witty. 14. Not so soon, you will have to wait a while. 15. Yes, quite a long one. 16. Very soon, and which will give you much pleasure. 17. Yes, but it will cost you many tears. 18. Soon, by an unexpected occurrence. 19. It will, more fully than expected. 20. It will cost you many tears at first, but will end happily.

1. He is thinking of you now, very lovingly and seriously. 2. Yes, many, and three at the same time. 3. Dress your hair neatly, do not wink, sit up erect and be very cordial to everybody. 4. What will a particular person say about it, if you do? 5. Two, a foolish old fellow, and a wild young man. 6. A man of strong character, energetic and haughty, with wit and humor. 7. He deserves much confidence. 8. He is merely a true friend to you; no more. 9. Yes, very soon. 10. Very many interesting ones. 11. If you do not speculate. 12. If you keep it a secret; but you gossip too much. 13. Very peculiar, by some. There is one person who understands you. 14. Not until you are both gray. 15. Not soon, but then it will be a very tender conclusion. 16. No one thinks of giving you anything, just now. 17. Yes, and it will give you much pleasure. 18. Soon, and in such a way that seemed to you impossible. 19. Yes, but very far from the present. 20. If you are thoughtful, cheerful, and try to be an optimist.

1. He does think of you, for which ye will be sorry some day. 2. No, not for a long time. 3. Do not be sentimental, but show common sense in whatever you say and do. 4. Yes, for he will ask nothing of which you may fear. 5. Three very fine and intelligent gentlemen. 6. A very big-built gentleman, and very conceited. 7. Hear what your best and dearest friends have to say about it. 8. No. He loves another. 9. When you love a particular person more than you do now. 10. Yes, but you will tire of them. 11. You will have money, and if you use it to good advantage it will last, otherwise not. 12. Yes, it will. 13. Haughty, conceited and discreet. 14. Yes, but not very soon. 15. Yes, from a broken heart. 16. Yes, but do not accept it. 17. An important thing will happen which will prevent it, it will bring joy to you. 18. Yes, but a long time from now. 19. Your wish will be fulfilled if you take care as to how you act. 20. Yes, if you are cautious.