Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-07-25
Fcoling the Wrong Passenger.

finished speaking.
Laughing at the mistakes of others.
Fcoling the Wrong Passenger.
When Whacker, ''thc magician last
visited our land, he found no greater ad-
mircr than job Pennypacker.
Job himself had dabhled, in an anna
teur manner, in leger1emain; had made
many shillings disappear through tables
and reappsar at the cry, "Prcsto. changer:
could make six balls fly about in the air
with the ease of an Indian jugglcr, and,
even while bobbing about, vanish, to he
found in the pockets of innocent bystand-
ers.
And Mr.. Whacker's mysterious per-
formances were Viewed by him with the
sympathizing pleasure of j." brother ar
tist
The "egg trick" which was, in brief, a
seemingly inexplicable power Of taking
eggs out of anything, in any number and
VI 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
dc zen in letter, and proved it on the
spot.
An once or twice he played the old
stock trick of "he magician upon some
market-woman by buying eggs of her,
| oh no 10 in har ia
from the shell not a yolk but half
crown, and so setting her to smashing
her whole stock, believing it to be the
production of the veritlble fairy hen who
laid the golden eggs.
But even 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 trick might not be wasted, Mr.. Pen
nypacker turned his attention to the pub
lie, and upon the occasion of journey
practiced upon guards, porters and fell
passengers to an astonishing extent.
1t was upon certain railroad that he
last came upon as tempting an oppor-
tunity as 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 stupid looking young man.
| with his mouth wide open, his eyes al
most shut. and both hands plunged into
| the pockets of coat several sizes too
large for him.
Mr.. Job Pennypacker chuckeled. Now
lie would play magician on larger
scale than ever before.
He would begin mildly, and then the
! :'plot" should 'thicken" as 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 Here, ma'am, you've dropped
this out of your basket
"Thank ye, I'm sure,' said the woman,
and settled The egg co fortabIy amongst
its fellows.
In moment more, however, Mr.. Pen
nypacker stopped again.
II must say, madame" he said 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 you. l wonder
they aren't smashed"
But there was no hole in the basket,
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.
Bv 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. "Ah, ali! I understand it
now; Don't you feel ashamed of your
self, sir?" and he frowned and nodded at
the stupid young man with the big coat,
who scowled at him in return.
IL ashamed? haven't done nothin','
cried the young man Indignantly.
DO YOU call it nothing to rob this old
lady of her eggs?'' cried Job, with IN air
ri virtuous disgust. "You have done
nothing else since you entered the car.
rage; and you have dozen in your
pocket at this moment"
Your telling lies" cried the young
man. What do want with raw eggs?
You'd better search ME, and see whether
I've got any eggs on me or no.
II will then, SIR" said Job, land call
on nv fellow passengers to be my wit
ness. All! l thought so! Two eggs in
your vest pocket. Here, madam. What
two more in the pockets IF your trousers
Take them: madam, take them; and
bless me! his coat pockets are full of
them! "Here, hand them over to the
lady. some one. One-two.-three-s:x
ten dozen!'
"He ought to be ashamed of himself!'
cried one of the passengers.
Its perfectly dreadtul!' exclaimed
ano:her-a woman.
IL feel the cold chills oil over me
when think of it, sobbed the old lady.
"Put him out" yelled chorus. 1--WE
don't want thieves here:'
II haven't taken a solitary egg" said
the young man, evidently trem bling
This here fellow is devil-that's what
he is Well, find more eggs in my
pocket, will you?"
mo more in your pockets, friend,
said Mr.. Pennypacker; "but in your hat
All, al! thought so!"
He snatched Of the soft hat and looked
into it with stern eye, began to take
from it one egg after another, while the
old ladys establishment and the indigna-
tion of the other passengers grew greater
and greater.
Just at this instant the whistle shrek
ed, and the train slowly came to stand
still at Barkinton.
II amt goin' to stand this no morel'
yelled Pennypacker's victim. "Let M
got! And wrenching himself from thu
amature magician's grasp he rushed iron
the Car, sprang to the ground, and wa
seen to dart up the road at q tremendous
lrate only pausing on the platform for I
, moment to pick up his hat, which hi
tormentor threw out of the window aftel
him. .:
! 1T becomes my duty to explain" sale
T Pennypacker, rubbing his hands AM
looking conceitedly asout him: "Tha