The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-06-04
The Black Art.
PART /.

"What did Uncle Oliver mean by
'leg-on-the- rain p" asked Jimmie Smell,
putting his hand in his brothers; they
were going to neighbours house on an
Grand. The shadows were gathering in
! the lane where the mulberry trees nearly
met over their heads. There was the
song of the katydid and the swift wing
of the night bird. The clumsy toad
ventured from its hiding place and the
frightened squirrel ran across the path.
'Leg-on-the rain!' Ha, la, Ia That
wasn't what uncle said, !" laughed Frank
SO loud that the echoes crept through the
trees and over the hill. at was leger-
demain-leg-o -the-rain Necromancy
and sleight-of- hand are too long words
for q short boy like you, hey, Jimmie
Well, to simmer it all down, the true
scientific name is the Black Art"
eyes, oh yes" Half comprehending
the mysterious words, Jimmie walked
! thoughtfully along, wishing to himself
he could say such long words, and knew
as much as Frank. Uncle Oliver had
! just returned from California and the
evening had been something like the
Arabian Nights. He told such charming
stories of the wonderful golden land.
What had called out Jimmie's question
was an account of an evening with An
derson Ill quartz mine, where his
strange, weird wonders were greatly
magnitied by the brilliant surroundings.
| The sparkling, uneven walls glittered
with countless myriads of shining gems
of crystal and gold, in ragged, rough
beauty made by the chance powder-blast
or slower pickax. The glowing torches
threw bright lights and fairy shadows
about the jeweled room. The high cell
ing, of grotesque architecture, echoed
back the voice of the wonder wizard-a
| charming place for feats of necromancy.
! The boys passed the lane and the soft
evening air brought the sweet scent of
clover and balm, the tinkling sound of
bells from pastured tlocks and the charm
ing song of one of those little streams
that go "singing to the sea" They
stopped minute on the rustic bridge
that spanned the miniature river. Frank
broke the silence with:
I" say, Jimmie, would you like to see
some of the black art p
ooh yes, indeed, the answer trem-
bled on Jimmie's lips, shaken by the
loud boot of an owl which had just
opened his solemn, sleepy eyes prepar-
atory to his nightly carouse. 1t was
for shadows; time for tricks-so Frank
thought.
"Well, we must get over into this
pasture" suiting the action to the word.
Jimmie quickly followed, for another
lonesome cry of the owl made him feel
he would rather have company.
After going few steps Frank dropped
on his hands and knees, saying,
Now, you must get down this way,
and shut your eyes.
Jimmie obeyed, half afraid, though
extremely curious to know something of
the "Back Art" He had not noticed
that only n short distance from him an
unrlly sheep was tethered, or he would
not have been so willing to play his part.
"Now, keep perfectly still, and be
sure you don't peep, cause If you do you
will spoil all.
Frank started the sheep. The crea-
ture, angered at being disturbed, made
desperate leaps to get at his enemy;
but Frank was careful to keep beyond
the length of the rope.
keep your eyes shut tight; every
thing depends upon that, continued
the tormentor, waving his arm to drive
the enraged sheep.
Uncle Oliver didn't have his eyes
shut" Jimmie said, innocently.
Well, that may be, but there are
many kinds of Black Art. Now, you'll
see beautiful stars in a minute if you
keep still"
The sheep caught sight of Jimmie in
/ Ii, owl ,,otboral hip,ca for OF
tack.
How long will T.
The sentence was finished with pro-
! longed O-o-o-o-h, as the sheep, with
tremendous butt, sent Jimmie end over
end beyond his reach. He was bruised
and scratched, though not seriously hurt.
! Frank stood holding his sides, and his
cheeks looked as though they had a
good sized potato in each. Jimmie was
very angry with his brother, and when
asked,
How do you like the BLACK Art 2
he resented by making an attack with
double fists, at which Frank only laughed
the louder. Then he tried to comprom-
Use the matter by saying:
"Come, Jimmie, 1 was just in fun;
let's go on.
But Jimmie was not to be comforted.
He turned on his heel and ran home in
spite of the bowls and darkness. He
was quieted by Uncle Oliver promising
TO give, that evening, his experience In
the {" Black Art, and an application.
Frank went on his errand alone, half
ashamed of playing such a trick on jim
mic. who was several years younger.
For all that, he might have been heard
bursting out laughing every few min
utes. as the comical picture returned.
His parents reproved him severely. He
gave Jimmie his new four-bladed knife,
and SO won his forgiveness. He was
really very fond of his little brother.
PART III.