SEEING ONE'S FUTURE WIFE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2007, 11 August 1892, Page 38

SEEING ONE'S FUTURE WIFE.

By Artec Maht.

One evening on returning home I found the household astir, and all the female portion in a flutter of excitement. The cause of all their concentrated interest lay revealed in a small slice of wedding cake, which had just been released from the, little cardboard box which had protected it on its journey through various post offices. It didn't look a whit more attractive than the usual indigestible compound of this nature which is found forming the central figure amongst the edible accessories of the wedding breakfast table ; yet those agitated females behaved in a manner which would lead any unsuspecting male to conclude that some very momentous event had taken place. And what was it after all but the starting out in life of two people whose approaching marriage had been fully discussed long before. Nothing very startling in tha!-, certainly, and I told them so, addiDg — " Marriages take place often enough, and this isn't the first time you've received people's cake ; what do you want kicking xip this hubbub for ? You knew they were going to be married." 44 Yes," they exclaimed in an ecstasy of feminine delight;, " but they are really married. Just fancy 1 " I don't know what they wanted to go fancying for ; the thing seemed real enough and prosaic enough to my mind. But when I ventured to say so they 6ilenced me with the witheringly contemptuous remark that I " didn't understand these matters." This effectually shut me up, though I feltj,t was hitting me below the belt, too, for my ignorance. 1 knew I didn't and couldn't understand what there was in such an every-day matter to necessitate such an ebullition of emotional effervescence. Therefore, reduced to this state of meekness, I subsided. After a bit they deigned to notice me again, and among other things enlightened me upon a point hitherto unknown in my expeiiences of this world. They said that by sleeping with a piece of this cake under my pillow I would behold in a dream the Eweet affinity whom I was to marry and travel through life with. They further explained that I wag to write on a piece of paper the names of all the eligible ladies I knew, then, wrapping it round the cake under my pillow, I was to go to sleep, and the one I dreamt of would be the one I should marry. I said it wasn't a bad idea, and I would try it, because I thought one would then know what was in store for him, and whether ib would be worth while waiting for her or taking someone else on the off chance of making a better bargain. Then they told me I always made fun of everything they said, and if I didn't like to try the experiment I could do the other thing.

I didn't see any tangible reason why I should not have a trial at it, and accordingly made them all supremely happy by telling them I would take a peep into the future that very night. Before I started for bed they reminded me of the necessity of writing down the names of all the eligible ladies of my acquaintance, giving me the additional information that I must keep the cake under my pillow for three consecutive nights. I followed out their instructions . faithfully, and, laying my head on the pillow, reviewed all the prospective Me&dames Maht in mental array, and finally arranging in my own mind the choice coinciding most with my own sweet will, I fell asleep. By-and-bye I entered dreamland and the vision took place. I suddenly became aware of my not only being far away, bat fully dressed also. I found myself walking through beautiful green fields communing with Nature, and altogether enjoying myself thoroughly. Just as I had noticed this, the weather, with wonderful rapidity, became terribly stormy, and fire and meteoric stones commenced raining down in abuudance. To escape this flaming meteoric shower, I took refuge in a cow byre, and ensconced myself in the shadiest as well as the farthest corner. All at onco I noticed I was not alone. A rough-looking man in the garb of a labourer was close to me, regarding me in anything but a friendly manner. Approaching me, he asked what I was doing there. I told him ; and I also thought to myself he could easily have seen the reason had he cared to do so. " Well," said he, "you'd better get out of here it once. You're trespassing." 4> All right. But— er— can't you wait till the storm is over 1 "

" No. Oil you go." This was the reverse of pleasant ; and I didu't half like acceding to his somewhat peremptory demand. But some unaccountable feeling impelled me to at once Btart off. As I went along I found ha kept by my side, though neither of us spoke. I didn't seem astonished at this, nor yet at the fact that the storm was over. About this time we passed a friend of mine, who mysteriously blinked and winked at me, and as a desperate last attempt deliberately came alongside, and whisperinglv asked me, 14 Do you know who that is ? " 44 No ; but he's got an infernal cheek, whoever be is." 41 Bsh ! He'a the Devil." 11 Oh ! And what am Itodo ? "

44 Give him Borne money." " Indeed 1 But I've got none." " Well," stealthily handing a half sovereign to me as he came close up, t( give him this, and when he lifts his hat you'll Bee his horns."

I did so, and to my astonishment both my friend and his Satanic Majesty disappeared. The latter, happening to move his hat as he silently accepted my equally silently offered contribution, allowed me to catch a passing glimpse of two horns, some inch and a-half. iv length, sticking out from his hair just above his iorehead.

This surprise was too much for me and I promptly woke.

I puzzled over the matter, and getting no satisfactory solution, was once more in the arms of Somnus and slept the peaceful sleep of the innocent.

At breakfast they were eager to hear about the particular girl I had dreamt of. When, however, they heard my dream, they greeted my narrative with peals of laughter and bid me try again. They also chaffed me unmercitully, and said they expected my masculine connubial companion would give me a good time, and they hoped I would enjoy it. That night again before dropping off to sleep I marshalled in my imagination the game beauteous battalion, and picked out the same girl as I had done on the previous night. My last waking thoughts were, II well, 111 have better luck to-night. I ought to see one of this lot, and I hope 'twill be she. '

How long I had been asleep I know not. All I do know is that as I lay in my bed a figure descended through the ceiling and alighted alongside of me. He was an awful looking apparition, and appalled me to that degree that I was unable to utter a sound. He had the hoofs of tbe cloven for feet, the body, legs arms, and head of a man, a tail with a tip to it like a harpoon or broad arrow, and a face whoso ieatures would have been handsome had he not spoilt their beautiful shape with a grin of diabolical pleasure. He was of a dark, swarthy, coppeiish colour, and his limbs and body were perfectly moulded. In one haud he held a tri-ilent, aud with the other he gripped my bhoulder. I can feel that grip now. I dicn't like this position, and was endeavouring, as I thought, to call out, when I was rndely awakened by Jack. Quoth he, 14 What under beaven are you making that noise for ? What do you think you're trying to do 1 "

41 Oh, for goodness sake strike a light," I replied.

He did so. As soon as I got accustomed to the glare of the lamp, I looked all around the room. Then I exclaimed, " Oh, it was terrible — horrible I "

11 What was ? Why, you're shaking and shivering all over the place."

I told him my dream, and then solemnly took the cake trom under my pillow and threw it on the dressing table. ' Then I delivered myself something after this fashion :

" There, go where you like, you accursed lump of dough and currants I Go and be handed to you, and may the girls and the weddings and all their appurtenances go with you ! And look here, Jack ; just leave me that light. That second dream was too realistic. I really thought he had me."

" Nonsense," he laughed. 4I You had nightmare. Have another shot at it. It's getting interesting."

It was too interesting for me, and needless to say I didn't follow his advice. I kept that lamp burning as if it were my salvation. I felt it was my only safeguard ; and it was only when I became so drowsy that I could not keep my eyes open that I blew it out and went to sleep.

As may be expected, I had an exciting time of it at breakfast, and my life was nearly badgered out of me. Some of the more superstitious of them affirmed it was my incredulity that was the cause of all this, and that it was a just punish aaent.

That night they all joined in trying to persuade me to complete tho trial and bave the cake under the pillow for the third time.

" Not much I " I exclaimed. 4I He collared me last night, and might take me altogether to-night. I don't believe in all your idiotic rot about seeing your future wife. If that's the kind of person you see I don't want another sight. I'm perfectly satisfied. Get someone else to try your addlepated notions. You don't get rae 1 "

Then I floundered off to bed and had a peaceful night's rest. Jaok told me next day he was sorry I had not carried it on as it really interested him. I had no doubt it did, and told him 30. Then it occurred to me that I had behaved in a cowardly, manner, so I resolved to try for a third time, and gladdened his heart by announcing this intention, I reinstated the cake at night and went to bed ; but the spell was broken, and my sleep was dreamless. I don't believe in their superstitious theories now, and if they want some innocent to worry his soul in this line hereafter they can get someone else. I have had my fill. I'll wait till I- see my future wife in flesh and blood. This visional prescience is too agitating for one of my delicate nervous temperament, and all I want and hope for henceforth is a life of calm peacafulness. Give mo that, and othsrs may have all these previsions aud be welcome to any enjoyment they may bring them. And tlio next girl that can make me undertake the job again isn't born ye*-, and I fervently hope she never will be.

— A French mayor has just been re-elected who has filled his office exactly a3 many years as Queen Victoria has reigned over the British Empire, having been first appointed in 1837. This venerable municipal patriarch is Dr Raybaud, of Ampas-in-the-Var. He is of the same age as Mr Gladstone, and, if not the oldest mayor in the world by years, istilmost certainly the oldest in the incumbency of his office.

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