The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1878-12-20

him. In i've minutes aflcrward he was
corpse. He passed away SO suddenly
his sister could not realize IL for some
time afterward. The Doctor, the sister.
ana the female attendant were with him
10 the last. The sister was almost wild
with grief. While a music teacher IN
Washington, MIR. Heller discovered his
aptitude for sleight-of hand tricks, and
shortly afterward gave puSiic enter
tainments OF legerdemain. which he
varied with exhibitions Of his skill as a
pianist. Finding that his musical ex-
hibitions dulled that nicely OF touch
that the ssblack ar" demanded, ne
I" cut out y the piano solos from his en-
tertainments. From Washington he
came to New York and hired No. $50
Broadway. which was long known as
"Heller's Hail. While in this city his
skill As a s.wizzard'' made him very
popular, and he always had full houses.
In April, 1865, he sold his lease of the
hall to Birch 4 Backus, Of San Fran
cisco minstrel fame, for 5000, and dis
appeared from New York. He was
heard of at long intervals from different
parts of the world, and did not return
10 New York until about two Years
since, when he was accompanied by his
daughter, with whose aid he performed
the remarkable trick Of "second sight,"
which attracted great deal Of atten-
ton for some time. He gave exhibit
tons Of his skill at the Fifth Avenue
Theater, the Globe Theater and Fifth
Avenue Hall, on Twenty fourth Street.
Last summer he spent in Europe, and
returned 10 this city about a month ago,
stopping at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, I'M
til Saturday last, when he went TO Phil
adelphia.
Mr.. Heller was tall man, and at the
time Of his death about so years old.
His gentle manner and quick repartee
rendered him much coveted by dinner
givers, where his keen wit sparkled
brighter than the wire that graced the
festal board Having keen apprecia-
ton Of the humorous. he was continual
II " playing jokes. Among the many
stories related of him j. ore concerning
recent visit Of his to Boston. When
he reached that city, il was dark and
stormy, so be took cab 10 the Parker
House. On arriving at the hotel he re-
fused 70 par, and got into wrangle
with the cabby. Mr.. Heller walked in
to the hotel, closely followed by the
hackmaD. who loudly demanded his
fare. The loud tones of the excited
Jehu attracted the attention Of num-
Der Of the guests, TO whom Mr.. Heller
was known. Anticipating fun, they
formed circle around the twain. com
pletely hedging them in. - tell you
I've paid YOU" said Mr.. Heller :. No,
you haven't angrily exclaimed the
cabman; .'you can't play that dodge
on me. Give me my fare or III have
you arrested - tell you again.
said Mr.. Heller. "that I've paid your
fare, and you have the money in your
hat" g No | haven't" said cabby,
positively, removing his hat and shak-
ing IT, :. Why. You dishonest rascal,
see therei- and Mr.. Heller taking the
hat from the cabman, produced num-
Der Of - bills in rapid succession. the
cabman meanwhile looking at him in
open-moufhed wonder. And You have
not only the money in your hat. but
your hair il full Of bills,- and Heller
pulled them out. Cabby stood dumb
founded few minutes, when he cried.
" You must be the devili' and rushed
wildly cut OF the hotel, but not before
Mr.. Heller had placed = s. note in his
pocket.
Another anecdote related Of Heller Is
that while travelling on Western rail-
road he noticed an old countryman and
his wife. Stepping up TO the old man
be said: al beg pardon, sir" and
a..
the mans breast pocket. The man was
speechless with surprise, but his wife,
thoroughly frightened, began scream
ing and the whole car was ia an uproar.
Mr.. Heller had to disclose his identity
before order could be restored. and
when 1t was known that he was on he
train, the passengers from the other
cars passed him in solemn procession.
many remarking. as they passed, " He
looks like any ether man, don't he?-
A somewhat similar story told of Hell
Ter is one in which his daughter played
prominent part. He was exhibiting
in Western town, and among his
audience was farmer and his wife.
Their plainly indicated establishment
had attracted Mr.. Heller's attention and
during the performance OF the I" second
sight" trick Mr.. Heller went to the
farmer and apparently took from his
pocket letter. Holding 1t up he said.
y What Is this?'' "A letter. replied
Miss Heller. the countryman and his
wife attentively listening. evil you
read it?'' At this question the farmer
got very red and began 70 fidget, while
his wife strained forward to catch Miss
Precious Darling. Your failure to meet
me yesterday caused me much disap-
pointment, but suppose that old vixen
Of wife was the cause Of it. Meet
me -
That letter was never finished, for,
amid roars Of laughter, the wife jump