Real 'Thought-Reading.'

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 419, 19 October 1889, Page 3

Real ' Thought- Reading.'

An interesting case ot • thought-reading 1 ' came hefore the County Court of BudaPesth a few days ago. The accused, a lively little man, was known as ' The Wizard Rabbi,' or 'The rr l nought-Reader of Czernowitz.' He was charged by a tradesman's assistant with cheating him out of a florin. On the table in front of the judge were the corpora delicti, consisting of a number ot papers covered with hieroglyphics, two volumes of the Babylonian Talmud, and a bundle of circulars, which ran thus : — ' I can read the name, occupation, past and future, of any man in his face. I can read his thoughts and give him good advice, particularly in matters concerning love, conjugal happiness, different illnesses, and travelling. The first question put to the prisoner invited him to state precisely the nature of his profession. Prieoner — 1 am a ' thought-reader.' Thereat enosecrets forme. By means of mathematicslcan read everybody's thoughts. That is the socalled ' Talmudian art.' lam now writing an important work which will be published. Judge — Is that the way you make your living? Prisoner— Yes, certainly. Judge — Can you give the'eourt a specimen of your art? Prisoner — Why not? Judge — Then ' tell me how many documents there are in r,his drawei* where I have my hand. Prisoner — A little patience, please. Now, take part of the papers and put 'them ou one side, and let me, then, cast a glance at the remainder. There —how many have you pub aside? Judge — fifteen. Prisoner (without a moment's hesita; ion)— Then there are thirty-one altogether. JudgeQuito right ; you have guessed correctly. Hereupon followed an altei cation between the plaintiff and prisoner, after which the Bench entered into a biief consultation When the judge was about to pronounce sentence the accused exclaimed:—'! have read his thoughts again : he is going to .«end me to prison for tour days !' JudgeQuite so. Right again. You will go to prison for four days. Call the next case.