Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1843-03-14
A STRANGE STORY.


Of English gentlemen, being at Cairo last
Autumn, on their return from Abyssinia,
where they picked up much of that inior-
nation which has been worked up so well
by Capt. Bond Head, in his life Of Bruce,
found the town in state Of extraordinary
excitement, in consequence of the recent
arrival in those parts of u celebrated mag
iclan, from the centre Of Africa, some
where in the vicinity OF the Mountains of
the Moon. 1t was universally said, ant
gene rally believed that this character pos
sessed and exercised the power Of showing
to anv visitor who chose to comply with
his terms, any person, dead or living, whom
the same visitor pleased 10 name. The En-
glish travellers, after abundant inquiries
and some scruples, repaired to his resld-
ence, paid their fees, and we re admitted
10 the Sanctum. They found themselves
in the presence Of a very handsome young
Moor with very long black beard, Grim
son caftan, a snow white turban, eighteen
inches long, blue trousers,and yellow slip
pers, sitting cross legged on turkey car
pet. three feet square, with a cherry stalk
in his mouth, cup of coffee at his left ell
bow, a diamond he'ted digger in his CIR
die, and in his right hand large volume.
clasped with brazen clasps. On hearing
their errand, he arose and kiadled some
spices on a sor. Of small altar in the mid
die Of the room. He then walked round
and round the altar for half an hour or so,
muttering words 10 them unintelligible; and
having at length drawn three lines OF chalk
about the altar, and placed himself upright
beside the fare, desired them TO seek a
Seer, and he was ready to crafty them in
all their desires.
He babe them go out in the streets Of Ca
iro, and fetch up any child they tancled,
under ten years Of age. They did so: and
after walking about Tor half an hour; se!ec-
ted an Arab boy. not apparently above
years, whom they found playing a: mar
bes. They bribcd him with few half
pence, and took him with them to the STU
do of the African Roger Bacon. The child
was much frightened at the smoke and the
smell, and the chatter and the mutterng-
bat by and by he suck'd his sugarcandy land
recovered his tranquility, and the MAG ician
made him seat himself under window
and poured about table spoonful Of some
black liond into the boys RICH, hand. and
bade him hold his hand steady, and keep
his eve fixed upon the surface of the liquid
and then resuming his old station by the
brazies. sung out for several minutes on
end-what do YOU see? Allah bismillah,
what do you see? lIIala Resoul Allah
What do YOU seel All the while the smoke
curled up faster an faster. Presently the
lad said, " Bismilah! see horse,
horseman. | see two horsemen, see three,
four, five, six, see seven horsemen. and
The seventh is a Sudan" Has he a flag!
cries the mag ician. "He has three, ans
wered the bow. "'Tis we'll" says the 9TH
err. ..now halt!' And with that he laid his
stick right across the fire, and standing up,
addressed the travellers in these words
Name your name-be it Of those that are
upon the earth. or Of those that are beneath
it; be it Frank. Moor, Turk, or Indian,
prince or beggar, living and breathing, or
resolved into the dust Of Adam, 5000 years
ago--spcak, and this boy shall behold and
describe.
The first name was VIM. Shakespeare
The Magician made three reverences tow
ards the window, waved his wand three
times. sung out something beyond their
Interpretation. and a, length they called
out, boy. what Go you behoidF' ''The
Sultan alone remains" said the child
" and beside him see a pale faced Frank,
but not dressed like these Franks-wi,h |
large eyes, pointed beard. tall hat. ro-
ses on his shoes, and short-maniIe." p
The other asked for Francis Arouet de |
Toltaire, snd The boy Immediately describ-
ed loan, old, yellow faced Frank, with
huge brown wig. nutmeg CRATER profile, |;
spindle shanks. buckled shoes, and gold I
snuff box" Lord Prudhoe now named |
Archdeacon Wrangham, and the Arab boy
made answer and said, ' perceive tall,
grey-haircd Frank, with black silk pet
tlcoat, walking in garden with little
book in his hand. He is reading on the
book; his eyes are bright and gIeanIng,hl
teeth are white. he is the happiest looking
Frank ever beheld." Major Felix now
named brother Of his. who is in the cav
airy Of the Fast India Company, in the
presidency Of Madras. The Magician
signed and the boy again answered. 4"
see a red haired Frank. with short red
Jacket, and white trousers. He is standing
bv the sea shore, and behind him there is
a black man in a turban, holding beautl-
full horse richly caparisoned." 'God in
Heaven |" cried Felix, Nay" the boy
resumed, "this is an odd Frank-he has
turned round while you were speaking. and
bv Allah! he has but one amp Upon
this the Major swooned away. His brother
lost his left arm in the campaign Of Ava!