West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1878-07-13
POOLING THE WRONG PASSENGER.


When Whacker, the magician" last
visited our land, he found no greater ad-
mirer than Job Pennypacker.
Job himself had dabbled, in an anna
teur manner, in legerdemain had made
many shillings disappear through tables,
and reappear at the cry, "Presto.
change" could make six balls ly about
in the air with the ease of an Indian
luggler, and, even while bobbinR about.
vanish, to be found in the pockets of in
nocent bystanders.
And Mr.. Whacker's mysterious per
formances were viewed by him with
the sympathizing pleasure of brother
artist.
The Z" egg trick" which was, in brief.
a seemingly inexplicabls power of TAX
ing eggs out of any thing, in any num-
Der and under any circumstances. par
ticulary charmed him; and, seeking au-
dience with Mr.. Whacker he persuaded
him to teach him the wonderful art. and
soon found himself capable of delighting
and astonishing his acquaintances.
he took eggs out of his grandfather's
hat and his mothers's work-basket. ac-
cused the postman of having brought
him dozen in letter, and proved il
on the spot
He caused the servant girl TO give
warning, by fishing eggs out of her
bandbox, frightened ignorant people,
and puzzled smart ones to his hearts
content
And once or twice he played The old
stock trick of the magician upon some
market-woman by buying eggs of her,
which he broke in her presence, taking
from the shell not yolk but half
L
her whole stock, believing it to be the
production of the veritable fairy hen
who laid the golden eggs.
But even a wonder trick loses its
charm when it has been played on one
a hundred times.
Therefore, that the time and money
which he had spent on the ACQUISITION
OF the egg trick might not be wasted.
Mr.. Pennypacker turned his attention
to the public, and upon the occasion of
journey Practised upon guards, porters
and fellow-passengers to an astonishing
extent
1T was upon a certain railroad that he
last came upon as tempting an oppor-
tunity as 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 stupid-looking young man,
with his mouth wide open, bis ewes al
most shut, and both hands plunged into
the pockets of coat several sizes too
large for him.
Mr.. Job Pennypacker chuckled. Now
he would play magician on a larger scale
than ever before.
He would begin mildly, and then the
plot should thicken" a. he went
on.
Accordingly he stopped, apparently
picked up an egg, from the floor, which
he handed to the old lady, with an in
different g Here, ma am, you've dropped
this out of your basket"
" Thank ye, Pm sure, " said the woman.
ana settled the egg comfortably amongst
its fellows.
In moment more, however, Mr..
Pennypacker stopped again.
must say, madam" ne said lit
tie sharply, that you are very careless
with such brittle things as eggs. Here
are three more ON the floor"
can't unders and % cried the old
lady. Why, there must be a hole i'm
the basket. Why, thank you. won
der they arn't smashed"
But there was NJ hole in the basket.
49, AHoAig tht biu ldhy QtCIOen that
there was no accounting for them
eggs getting out" and tbrugt
them carefully under the lettuce and
radishes
by this time the attention of all the
other passengers was aroused, and now
was the moment for the final effort.
The most singular thing I ever
heard Of, said Job. "Ah. abl nm
derstand it now. Don't Won feel
ashamed of yourself, sirP and he
frowned and nodded at the stupid voung
man with the big coat, who scowIed az
him in return.
J ashamed ] haven'tdone notbin' ,,
cried the young man Indignantly.
DO you call IL nothing 10 rob this
excellent old lady of her eggs2' cried
J06, with an air of virtuous disgust.
You have done nothing else since YOU
entered the carriage; and you have a
"o1en IN your pocket at this moment p'
You're telling lies 2" cried the young
man What do ] want with raw eggs