The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-06-13
PRESTO JOHN.
The Seventh Son Of Seventh Son Of 9
Seventh Son.
He Visits the Bulletin Once and Works
Miraculous Cure.

On a certain evening of the present week the
writer sat in an easy chair with his feet on his
desk, smoking his post-prandial regalia. How
state. but suffice it to say that just the mists
OF twilight were stealing forth he was startled by
heavy step on the stairway leading to the edito-
rial room. A few moments later, thin, long
haired, heavy bearded man entered. and coming
straight up to the desk, without introduction.
exclaimed:
II am Presto John! /" and he glared wildly
about the room.
II am seventh son physician. am omnipo-
tent Do you see yonder moon? l can put it
out with copy of your paper, beat it from the
heavens with this stick"
This latter sentence being accoDpar led by wild
fourishes with large cane, which several times
passed in closest proximity to our Uranium, We
thought it better to gently admonish Presto to
cease his gesticulation and, without further pre-
face to state his business.
He had come to cure the sick, to minister to
mind and body diseased. We didn't feel parti-
cularly i'll, bat as J ahn looked as ii he might
make us 80 if we denied being in that condition,
We modestly confessed to having toothache:
This admission produced wonderful and i'm
mediate change in Presto's manner; ne became
as gentle and tender as woman. He rolled up
produced little bottle which being opened,
spread q singular acrid, aromatic odor through
the room, and we saw green and violet lame
flickening round the neck OF the phlal as ne
opened It. 1t then seemed that there shot q
fame from his eye into our brain, while from his
fingers, which he passed lightly over our fore
head, quivering flames issued, suffering
| as it were, which penetrated US, forcing US back
| into our chair. When we were 80 fixed to the
chair that we could not move, this strange man
became ethereal and foated gently about the
room, necessarily pointing his finger with ltf
hooked nail, in the direction OF his STORE on
Franklin street.
We looked in that direction, and saw q goblin
looking creature sleeping behind the counter II
small drug store. Presto John riveted hi.
glance on this man and wiled. And the igh
fckered and burnt low. And he willed. The
queer man in the store shuddered. But though
he was asleep his eyes were opened. And aftel
wriggling and writhing in his chair and mutter
TOOTH his pocket, and taking up his hat, came
| forth from the store.
| And he passed into the street.
A car was passing, and he seemed to walk dl
rectly through it.
crowd was standing by the Globe Theater
and he passed through the crowd.
| An old, weird looking woman plucked her good
mans sleeve: "see How very odd he looks. H
looks Like man walking in his Steep"
This was said by various persons.
By the men on the corner.
By the drunkard reeling home from his orgy.
By the peeler on his beat, who eyed him stern
| ly as he passed.
But he passed on unmoved by the peeler.
Unmoved by the mutterings Of the inebriate.
By the old woman who plucked her good mani
gown.
He walked down Perdido street.
By Factors Row.
Across Carondelet street.
By Louisiana Hose.
| By 1873 house.
By the Academy OF Music.
Down Commercial Alley.
| By the Sun Insurance Company.
| By the Fremen's Insurance Company.
| And into Gravier street came the pale man.
He knew the BULLETIN Office. Without turn
ing to the right, without turning to the left, OF
be came, up stairs, into the editorial room, and
without word drew from his pocket the tooth
and handed it to Presto John. Then he turned
on his heel and left as he came.
| Presto shook the phial of burning liquid, made
sign, the aching tooth left our head and the new
one took its place. Then he f1oated to the cell
ing, looking down on us with q wicked leer. HI
returned to the floor and laying his hand on oul
shoulder laughed demoniac laugh.
His hand weighed ton. We felt it was crush
ing us through the floor. He laughed again
louder than before. His hand still Increased il
weight. We turned to confront him and oul
chief was standing by our side.
| Why, Seymour, you've been asleep.
So had.