The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1872-01-17

EXPLOITS or a BED-uEADED MAGIcIAN.-The
Detroit Post tells most preposterously good
story. the hero Of which is a red-headed magician
who not very long ago charmed the money from
the pockets OF merchants and other sensible
people in and about Detroit In that section Of
the country there is legend that at the time of
the advance of the British troops under General
Brock. in the French and Indian war, certain
Frenchmen buried vast treasures somewhere near
the River Rouge, and that these treasures have
never been recovered. a little more than year
ago, red-headed magnus ingratiated himself
with well to-do merchant of the city, and in
formed him that the spirits had told him the red
headed one) that much money would be found
should he dig in the neighborhood, and he had
come from Quebec to recover it.
He proposed that the merchant should JOIN
in the search and the dupe agreed to do so, but
proposed that an old Freuchman, who mad often
searched for the treasure and had some dim no
ton of where it was supposed to be, should be
called in as an assistant. The new partner soon
became convinced OF the strangers magic powers,
and it was resolved to commence operations at
once. After occult science had rendered it GER
tain that money was inearthed poverty demanded
three dollars to send for its magic cloak and
wand, which were in Quebec. InCredulity at first
refused three dollars, but at length consented to
bestow it. The paraphernala at length arrived,
aud thus equipped the magician seated himself
on the ground near the suspected spot, opened
big and awful book, waved his wand nine times,
prayed went into trance, and pointed out the
exact place where search should be made which
would result in the finding of 100000, which
amount was guarded by 100000 evil spirits,
whom it would require forty dollars to exercise,
as certain magical articles must be bought
The old Frenchman was now deeply interested
and gave the needed money, when he was told
that to complete tie charm, nine hairs would be
required from the head of virgin who had never
known an impure thought. The old gentleman
had Just such daughter, aud the red-headed
magician took from her head the nine hairs, but,
as they would not stay in custody it was proof
that the pure maiden had not yet been found.
But the great man knew one in Quebec, who was
brought to Detroit forthwith at a cost of $40,
and when she arrived she charged little more
than $3.50 per hair Then nine magic lamps
we're needed, which cost-of course the red
headed man bought them-Sl5; $50 was required
for incense, $50 for a certain talisman, and the
whole outfit cost about 500, to furnish which
several other dupes had been admitted to the
co-partnership.
An was ready, the ring formed, the lamps
lighted, and the poor fools, at the bidding of the
wizard, threw themselves on their knees, and were
not to look up lest the 100000 evil spirits
should be seen and the spell broken. Then the
man danced, yelled, and kicked up his heels in
such a way that one of the party looked up, aud
the spell indeed was broken. Then more money
had to be furnished, and was willingly given
The magician remained locked in his house three
days fasting and praying, and at the end of that
time was nowhere to be found he had probably
decamped with the virtuOus maiden from Quebec
The story leaked out, and came near getting into
the courts, but the victims were afraid of rdicule
if not of folly.