THE UNLUCKY THIRTEEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21130, 12 March 1932, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE UNLUCKY THIRTEEN.

CRYSTAL GAZING STORY.

WOMAN FORTUNE-TELLER FINED,

A strange story of fortune-telling -was told to the magistrates in the remote village of Llanfawel, Carmarthen, Wales, a few weeks ago. Lily Jones, aged 50, and Violet Jones, aged 22, mother and daughter, both of Merthyr Tydvil, were charged jointly with unlawfully pretending to tell fortunes. The mother admitted the charge, but the daughter pleaded not guilty, saying that she only accompanied her mother. Evidence was given by a farmer, Morris Jones, of several visits paid to him and his wife by the women. Mrs. Jones told him that he had a relative abroad who was going to leave him a large sum of money. As it happened he had an uncle who had emigrated some years ago. Witness said he was invited to do some crystal gazing. Mrs. Jones wrapped the crystal in a black cloth upon which she sprinkled some salt. She uttered a prayerlike incantation. Gazing into the crystal he saw the words, "Overcome evil by good," and th-;re was some other reading which he could not decipher. Mrs. Jones explained that that -was an indication that he would have difficulty in getting the money. Looking again,, the farmer saw the figures £SOO, and she assured him the money would come to him very soon, but an evil spirit stood in the way, and a burned offering would have to be made. At the woman's bidding the farmer produced a £1 note and a golden halfsovereign, which Mrs. Jones wrapped up with great ceremonial in the black cloth, which was laid on a plate, over which were drawn two strips of paper in the form of a cross. She lighted a match and set fire to the paper cross. The farmer had afterward to stand on the plate, which broke into thirteen pieces. When the woman left the farmer examined the burned offering but could not find any trace of the money inside. Mrs Jones was fined 30s. Ihe case against the girl was dismissed on payment of 4s costs.