Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1877-10-27
The Magielnn and lhe Hackman.

The Magician and the HhcknAn'
When Heller, the magician, arrived
in the city on Friday last, says late
number of the Boston Traveller, he dl-
rected the hackman to drive him to the
Parker House. Reaching the hotel, he
stepped briskly up to the clerks desk
and was soon surrounded by q host OF
old friends, including DIR. Tompkins OF
the Boston Theater, Arthur Cheney,
H. @. Jarrett. Frank Chanfrau and q
dozen others. Amid the hearty greet
ings came rough voice, which soon at
tracted general attention.
1t appears that the hackman hadn't
been paid.
"What is it, my good friend what
are you yelling to me about" demanded
Mr.. Heller. z,sss-4--
"I wants me fare. I saw You skip
away. Two dollars for you and the
lady,"
This answer created laugh among
the magician's friends.
81 know 1 paid you, you rascal" ex-
claimed Mr.. Heller.
"Not cint."
"You put it in your hat. Hand it to
me |" and, to the CONSERVATION of Jehu,
there was bright, clean two-dollar
note taken from the lining of his cady
and held up to the gaze Of the rapidly
increasing crowd. Cabby stood transfx-
ed with wonder.
81 am afraid of your future, my poor
fellow, and advise you to alter your
course" interposed Mr.. Jarrett.
Il Dc xyo1,'n hn hayNrNry "
was the advice of Mr.. Cheney.
"This after all our boasted New
England civilization and moral advance
ment !" added Mr.. Chanfrau.
eff this thing should get abroad p
was DR.. Tompkins' alarming exclama-
tioh.
"Think Of your wife and children.
Repent ere it is too late, was the kind
ly-toned proposition of Mr.. Heller.
"Look here, gintlemen, this is all
good enough, and yez hev me tanks.
But may I never see sixpence again
but wasn't paid, and that bill I niver
saw before in all me born days. l didn't
have cint about me-" and the indig-
nant hackman slapped his hands on his
coat pockets.
"You have no other money on your
person9" demanded Mr.. Heller.
"No |" said the driver, unhesitatingly.
"What's this, and this, and this, and
this?" inquired the magician, as he
| delicately pulled bank-note first from
the poor cabman's side coat pocket,
then one from his coat-cuff, another
from his pantaloons pocket, and another
from his boot top. my FRIEND" con-
tinued Mr.. Heller, in voice softened
by swelling emotions, the while the
crowd around moaned with excess OF
sorrow over the sad exhibition of human
depravity, "you are not yet lost, but
you are ON the brink of ruin. We all
feel for you, don't We, gentlemen r.
and groans came in response.
"Look here, me friends" cried the
hickman, "this here things played
out. Tn not the worse man in the
worrld" d"-when, to his utter horror, the
magician interrupted him to take from
his coat pockets, hat, trousers and boot
tops not only greenbacks and plenty OF
silver coin, but pens, blotting paper,
matches, blank cards and the general
invoice of stationery usually found on a
| hotel desk
"Man, who are you, anyhow" cried
the poor fellow, as he crossed himself
and commenced to back out.
Hawkshaw the detective p shouted
Jarrett, as he struck an attitude.
{" My name is Norval," replied Mr..
| Heller.
"'Tis Clifford's voice. if ever Clifford
spoke, added Mr.. Cheney.
/" I am thy fathers spirit, groaned
Mr.. Chanfrau. And by this time the
perturbed driver had reached the street,
shouts of laughter falling on his ear,
and with another surprise awaiting him
Mr.. Heller had placed five dollar note
in the mans vest pocket