UNLUCKY PROPHECIES

Evening Star, Issue 22595, 12 March 1937, Page 8

UNLUCKY PROPHECIES

FORTUNE-TELLER'S MISTAKE TOLD POLICE MATRONS' FUTURE " CHEAP AMUSEMENT ” SAYS COUNSEL When two women visited 43 Hope street on March 1, their hostess prophesied for them the, equivalent of travels to Elysian fields—sea voyages,* happy marriages, and the like. But the knowing seer was ignorant of one important fact about her visitors—their vocation. They were police matrons. The sequel to their interesting tete-a-teto with this gazer into the future was a charge against Emily Prudent Callander in the Police Court this morning of fortune-telling. As her counsel (Mr J. G. Warrington) put it, she was not prudent, despite her Christian name, when she admitted two police guests to her house. The defendant pleaded guilty. Senior-sergeant Packer told the court that, acting on a written complaint about defendant’s activities, the police sent Matrons Eden and Wroblenski to her house They were ushered into a bed-sitting room containing two tables. On one was a glass of water. The first “ customer ” was Matron Wroblenski, who was asked to remove her gloves and show the fortune-teller the palms of her hands. She was told she would soon he going on a sea voyage, and also that more fortune would come her way if she put her wedding ring aside. “ Hie matron was informed that the wearing of a pink and blue frock would bring her luck,” said the Senior Sergeant, “ and that a legacy would be hors soon.” (Laughter.) The defendant had said that the matron had two children, but in point of fact she had only one daughter. “ The defendant then told her her little book of luck had closed, and charged her 25,” remarked the Senior Sergeant. Despite her gifts of prophecy, Callander did not know when telling Matron Eden’s fortune that she had also visited the defendant two years ago, when the latter was last before the court. - =

The Senior Sergeant recited what the defendant said the future held for Matron Eden. She would bo successful in business, and was likely to get maiv ried soon. She was told she would probably marry a man with only one tooth in the front of his mouth. (Laughter.) The Magistrate (Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M.): The money certainly seemed worth while. Mr Warrington: It was cheap amusement.

The Senior Sergeant said that when Callander had finished her tale she picked up the glass of water to quench her thirst, evidently to signify that she had been under a great strain during the prognosticating process. The Magistrate: Do many silly women go to her? The Senior Sergeant: Yes; several complaints have been received about her.

A plea for leniency because Of the de. fondant’s health and age was made by Mr Warringtop. He said that Callander was 60 years of age and her husband over 70. He was unable to work, and she attempted to support him and a family of three by her unaided efforts. She had two previous convictions. As for several years her health had precluded her leaving the bouse, she commenced to tell fortunes to her friends, and had later accepted money. There was no fixed charge for her services. Counsel asked His Worship to take into consideration when fixing the penalty the defendant’s age, her state of health, and financial circumstances. He assured the court . ; j offence would not occur again.

Mr Bundle: It seems funny that stupid women can be persuaded to go to a woman like this.

His Worship fined Callander £3 and costs, a month being allowed for payment.