Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-09-28

was his habit ia, get all the information
possible about any company in which he
found himself for his own purposes as
clairvoyant; and when Mrs. Sitwell flagg-
ed, he Piled her with questions u, Ice
her on from one person to another making
mental notes to serve him hereafter. 1t
is thus by careful and laborious prepare
ton that many Of the strange and seem.
inSly mysterious feats of the clairvoyant
conjuror are performed.
When the whole party assembled in
the drawing room after dinner, chorus
ofvoices, headed by that of the hostess,
summoned Jack to his work. There APP
peared to be only one dissentient, Sir
Lewis Mallaby, who not only did not
t:ouble himself to back up the invitation,
but when the performance was actually
begun was at no pains to conceal his con-
tempt and disgust.
The conjuror made the conventional
plum pudding In hat, fired wedding
rings into suartern loves, did all manner
OF card tricks. knife tricks, pistol tricks,
and juggle0 on conscicntiously right
through his repertoire. There was never
smile on Sir Lewis face; he sneered un-
mistakably. Finally, with an ostenta-
ton that savored Of rudeness, he took out
his watch, great gold repeater, looked
at it, and Enthusiastically yawned.
Jack hungered for that watch directly
he saw it. Perhaps through it he might
make its owner uncomfortable, if only
for moment. But how to get it into his
hands? He asked for watch-a dozen
were offered. No; none of these would
do. 1t must be gold watch, repeater.
Sir Lewis Mallaby's was the only one in
the ROOM and he at first distinctly refused
to lend it. But so many entreaties were
addressed to him, the hostess leading the
attack, that he could not in common
courtesy continue to refuse. With some
thing like growl he took his watch off
the chain and handed it to Jack Newbig-
gin.
A curious old-fashioned watch 1t was,
which would have gladdened the heart
of watch collector; all jeweled and en-
ameled, adorned with crest and inscrlp-
| tion-an heirloom, which had probably
been in the Mallaby family for years
Jack looked it over curiously, meditative-
ly, then suddenly raising his eyes he
| stared intently into Sir Lewis Mallaby's
face, and almost as quickly dropped them
again.
"This is far too valuable, he said cour.
teously, too much of treasure to be
risked IN any conjuring trick; an ordina-
ry modern watch 1 might replace, but
not work Of art like this"
And he handed it back to Sir Lewis,
who received it with ill-concealed salts
faction. He was as much pleased, prob
ably, at Jacks expression Of possible
failure in the proposed tricks as at the
recovery of his property.
| Another watch, however, was pounded
up into jelly, and brought out whole
from cabiuet in an adjoining room
and this trick SUCCESSFULLY accomplished,
Jack New biggen, who was now complete
~ on his metal, passed on to higher
flights. He had spent the vacation OF the
year previous in France as the pupil of a
wizard Of European fame, and had mas
tered many Of the strange feats which
are usually attributed to clairvoyance.
There is something especially uncanny
about these tricks, and Jacks reputation
rapidly increased with this new cxhibi-
ton Of his powers. Thanks to his cross
examination of Mrs. Sitwell at dinner, he
was in possession Of many facts connect
ed with the company, although mostly
strangers to him; and some Of his hits
were so palpably happy that he raised
shouts Of surprise, followed by that terri
fed hush which not uncommonly sue
ceeds the display Of seemingly super.
natural powers.
ooh, but this is too preposterous," Sir
Lewis Mallaby was heard to say quite
angrily. The continued applause pro-
foundry Disguised him "Th1s is the
merest charlatanism. It must be put an
end to. 1t is the conlmonest imposture.
These are things which he has coached up
in advance. Let him be tried with some
thing which upon the face oft he cannot
have learned beforehand by artificial
means"
"Try him, Sir Lewis; try him your
SELF" cried several voices.
II scarcely like to lend myself to such
folly to encourage so pitiable an exhibit
ton"
But he seemed to be conscious that
further protest would tell in Jacks IA
vOr. ....
II will admit that you have considera-
ble power in this strange branch of nee
romancy if you will answer a few ques-
tons of mine''
"Proceed," said Jack, gravely, meet.
ing his eyes firmly: and without finch
ing.
Tell me what is most on my mind at
this present moment.''
1.-THE want of male heir, Jack re-
piled, promptly, and thanked Mrs. Sit
we'll in his heart.
"Pshaw! You have learned from
Burke that had nc children" said Sir
Lewis, boldly; but he was a little taken
aback. "Anything else?"
"The memory Of a harsh deed you now
strive in vain to redeem"
"This borders upon impertinence,"
said Sir Lewis, with hot flush on his
cheek, and passion in his eyes. "But let
us leave distractions and try tangible
realities. Can you tell me what have
in this pocket?'' He touched the left
breast Of his tail-coat.
IA pocket-book."
"Bah! Every one carries a pocket
book in his pocket"
"But do you2" asked several of the by
Sf0n6era al Of who