The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1878-08-01

F0oilng the Wrong Passenger.

When Whacker, "thc magician" last
visited our land, he found no greater ad-
mirer than Job Pennypacker.
JOB himself had dabhed, in an anna
teur manner, in lcgeriemain; had made
many shslings disappear through tables
and reappear at the cry, 'Presto. change =
conld make SIX balls fly about in the air
with the ease OF an Indian .iuggler, and,
even while bobbing about, vanish, to be
found in the pockets of innocent bystand-
ers.
And Mr.. Whacker's mysterious per
tormances were viewed by him with the
sympathizing pleasure of Il brother ar
list.
The EGG trick" which was, in brief, a
seemingly inexplicable power of taking
eggs out OF anything, IN any number and
Ill der any circumstances, particularly
charmed him; and, seeking audience
with Mr.. Whacker he persuaded him to
teach HIM the wonderful art. and soon
found himself capable of delighting and
astonishing his acquaintance.
He took eggs out of his grandfather's
hat and his mothers workbasket, accused
the postman of having brought him a
dozen in letter, and proved it ON the
spot.
AM once or twice he played the old
stock trick OF he magician upon some
market-woman by buying eggs OF her,
which he broke in her presence, taking
from the she'll not Il yolk but half
crown, and so setting her to smashing
her whole stock, believing it to be tae
production of the veritible fairy hen who
laid the golden eggs.
But even u wonder trick loses its
charm when it mas been played on one Il
hundred times.
Therefore, that the time and money
which he had spent on the acquisition of
the trick might not be wasted, Mr. Pen
nypacker turned his attention to the pub
lie, and upon the occasion of journey
practced upon guards, porters and fell
low-passengers to an astonishing extent.
1t was unon certain railroad that he
last came upon as tempting an oppor-
tunitv al he had ever been offered him.
Opposite him rode an elderly woman,
with basket full of provisions, radishes,
turnips. lettuce and new-laid eggs, and
near her sat a pid-looKing young man.
with his mouth wide open, his eyes al
most shut. and both hands plunged into
the pockets of coat several siscs too
large for him.
Mr.. Job Pennypacker chuckele1. Now
be would play magician on larger
scale than ever before.
He would begin mildly, and then ny
"plot" should chicken" as he went on
Accordingly he stopped, apparently
picked up IN egg from the floor, which
he handed to the Oil lady. with On in
different Here, ma am, you've dropped
this out of your basket"
THANK ye. I'm sure" said the woman,
and settled The egg cor, fortably amongst
its fellows.
In moment more, however. Mr. Pen
nypacker stopped again.
II must say, madame" he said u little
sharply, that you are very careless with
such brittle things as eggs Here are
three more On the floor.
II can't understand cried the old
lady. Why. there must be hole in the
basket. Why, thank yoG- wonder
they aren't smashed"
But there was no hole in he oaskes.
and finally the old lady decided that
there was mo accounting for them eggs
getting out, and thrust them carefully
under the lettuce and radishes.
By this time the attention of all the
other passengers Was aroused. and now
was the moment TOR the final effort.
The most singular thing ever heard
OF" said Job. .sAh. ali. understand it
now. Don't you feel ashamed of your
If, siri" aud he frowned and nodded at
the stupid young man with the big coat