Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1878-07-23
MlSCELLkNE GUS.
POOLING THE WRONG PASSEN-
GER.

GER.
6::hHEN WhackSr. ''tho magioisn." last
SEgC visited our land, he found no greater
admirer than Job Pennypackor.
Job himself had dabbled, in an amature
manner, in legerdem ain had made many
shillings disappear through tables, and APP
pear at the cry, presto, change" could
make six balls fly about in the air with the
ease of an Indian juggler, and. oven while
bobbing about, vanish, to be found in the
pockets of innocent bystanders.
And Mr.. Whacker's mysterious perform
auces were viewed BIZ him with the sympa>
thizing pleasure of brother artist.
The ''egg trick" which was in brief, a
seemingly inexplicable power of taking eggs
out of anything, in any number and under
any circumstances, particularly charmed
Whackcr he persuaded him 70 teach him the
wonderful art, and soon found himself capn-
BILE of dclighting and astonishing his acquain.,
ances.
He took eggs out of his grandfather's hat
and his mothers work basket. accused the
postman of having brought him dozen in q
letter. and proved it on the spot.
II caused the servant girl to give warn.
ing, by fishing eggs ont of her bandbox,
frightened ignorant people, aud puzzled
smart ones to his hearts content
And once or twice he played the old stock
trick OF tho magician upon some market wo-
man by buying eggs of her, which he broke
in her presence. taking from the she'll not a
yolk But a half crown, and so setting her to
smashing her whole stock, believing it to be
the production Of the verisablo fairy hen
who laid tho golden eggs
But even wonder trick loses its charm
when it has been played on une hundred
times. r1yH-
Therefore, thasthe time and money which
he had spent on the acquisition Of the egg
trick might not be wasted, Mr.. Peuuypackel
turned his attention to the public, ard upon
the occasion of journey practised upon
guards, porters and fellow passengers 10 an
astonishing extent.
1t was upon a certain railroad that he last
came upon as tempting al opportunity as
had ever been offered him.
Opposite him rode an elderly wom1u with
basket full! of provisions. radjshes, turnips,
lettuce and new-laid eggs, and near her sat a
stupid looking young man, with his mouth
wide open, his eyes almost shut, and both
hands plunged into the pockets of coat sew
cral 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" as he went on.
Accordingly he stopped, apparently picked
up an egg, from the floor, which he handed
to the old lady, with an Indifferent "Here,
ma'am, you've dropped this out of your
basket"
"Thank ye, I'm sure" said the woman,
and settled the egg comfortably amongst its
fellows.
In q moment more, however, Mr.. Penny
packer stopped again.
81 must say, madam" he snid a little
sharply, "that you are very careless with
such little things as eggs. Hero are three
more on the foor."'
al can't understand !' cried the old lady
"Why, there must be a hole in the basket
Why, thank you. L wonder they arn't
smashed"
But there was no hole in the basket, and
finally the old lady decided that there was
"no accounting for them eggs getting out" i"
and thrust them carefully under the lettuce
and radishes.
By this time the attention of all the other
passengers WIS aroused, and now was the
moment for the inal effort.
"The most singular thing 1 have ever
head OF" said Job. "Ah, ali l understand
it now. Dom: you feel ashamed of yourself
sir 2" and he frowned and nodded nt the
stupid young man with the big coat, who
scowled ct him in return.
II ashamed! | haven't done nothin', ,
cried the young man Indignantly.
"Do you call it nothing to rob this excel
lent old lady of her eggs 2" cried Job, witt
an air OF virtuous disgust. ''You have donI
nothing else since you entered the carriage
and you have dozen in your pocket at thi
moment !"
you're telling lies ~ cried the young
man. ''Whot do | want with raw eggs?-
You'd better search me, and SEQ whethe
I've got any eggs on me or no"
81 will, then, sir" said job, "and I cal
on my fellow passengers to be my witnesses
All l thought so! Two eggs in your ves
pocket. Here, madam. What! two NOR
in the pockets of your trousers Take them
madam, take them and-bIess me hi
coat pockets are full of them Here. hant
them over to the lady, come ono. One
two three-six x-ten-a dozen J"
"He ought to be ashamed of himself J
cried one of the passengers
"It's perfectly dreadful" exclaimed an
other-a woman.
'sI feel the cold chiIts all over me when
think of it," sobbed the old lady.
"Put him out !" yelled CbOrOus. 1--WE
don't want thieves here :"
Il havn't taken a solitary egg" said the
Young man, evidently trembling This
here fellow is the devil-'hsI's what he Is =
Well. find more eggs 10 my pocket, VII
you :"