BEDTIME STORY

Taupo Times, Volume II, Issue 86, 11 September 1953, Page 5

BEDTIME STORY

THE HOROSCOPE In our domestic circle it is considered unlucky to see the new moon through glass. One must also, as a gesture of propitiation to the Goddess of Luck, say "Rabbits!" on the first day of the month. Superstitions die hard, not so much because of people's lack * of intelligence, but because they like kidding themselves, or being kidded. In this Puritan country, where the national lottery is hypocritically called an "Art Union," fortune tellers still contrive to make a living in spite of the police. The profession of necromancy is one of the oldest in the world. Many years ago, as a very young man sitting in the scorner's chair, I was challenged to visit a Sibyl and have my scepticism on the subject of clairvoyance put to the test. I was given an address, and told that for half-a-crown I would be given . a reliable glimpse of my future, good or bad. The Sibyl herself opened the door an being satisfied with my credentials, after a brief convensation which lent a conspiratorial air to the proceedings, showed me into the 'seance' chamber. She sat at a small table and I sat opposite. On the table was a crystal, partly covered by a small piece of black velvet, suggesting to my frivolous mind the idea of a black cap on the head of a very bald judge. She then proceeded to cast my horoscope. She asked for my pocket wallet, pressed it to her forehead, removed the cloth from the crystal and gazed into it. , She then informed me ,that the wallet contained, among other things, a man's photo. That was true, and my scepticism began to wobble. To cut a long story short, she told mq, among other things, that (1), I was a doctor or a teacher living in the country; (2) I was a careless rider and would

probably be thrown from my horse in the near future; (3), She saw me talking to an editor in a newspaper office; (4), She saw me in a field with a lot of military tents, talking to some senior officers. As regards (1), I was then a teacher in charge of a small school in the back-blocks. I gave her half-marks. A week later I was thrown from my horse, which came down nearly on top of me. Full marks for (2). I had at that time not the remotest idea of becoming a journalist. Six years later I joined the staff of a newspaper. Full marks again, for (3). Part of my duties as a member of the report— ing staff was to atend rifle meetings and territorial training camps, in which capacity I encountered Lord Kitchener arid Sir Ian Hamilton, among other military notabilities. Full marks for Sibyl. If you have followed me so far, you may accept from me a hint to get hold of Dunne's book "Experiment With Time." A good deal of it is more or less complicated mathematical calculation, over your heads, as it was over mine. But if you read his chapters on clairvoyance, scientifically termed "precognition," and what he has to say about dreams, you may begin to wonder, as I did, whether it is not really possible for certain individuals, who are supposed to be "fey" or have second sight, to see into the future. My wife, who is fond of "reading the cards," has frequently told me that there is "money all round me" and that "an increase of worldly goods" is just around the corner. I'd like to see my bank manager's face if I tried to put that one across him. Now, if she could give me the winning doubles for the T.A.B. every Saturday that would be. something like it _