Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-10-02

ure's vagaries well known-likely to be
born among and belong to such sur
roundings, stood between the legs of
the man himself, who had his back to
the visitors and was crouching low over
the scanty fire.
The man turned his head for a mo-
ment, gave a blank stare, then an inn
perceptible nod, and once more he
glowered down upon the fire.
" Here, little ones, do you see this
coDjuror he's a conjurer. Know what
a copjuror is, Tommy ?" cried the par
son, catching mite or or from the
floor. ~" No not you; nor you, Sarah,
nor you; Jackey"-and he ran through
all their names.
They had now ceased their gambols
and were staring hard at their visitors
the moment was propitious; Jack New
biggin began. He had fortunately
filed his pockets with nuts, oranges,
and cakes before leaving the parsCn-
age, SO he had half his apparatus ready
to hand.
The pretty boy had very soon left the
father at the fire, and had come over to
join in the fun, going back, however, to
| exhibit his share of the spoil, and dos
cribe voluminously what had occurred.
This and the repeated shouts of laugh
ter seemed to produce some impression
on him. Presently he looked over his
shoulder, and said-but without ANNA
| ton
at IS very good of you, sir, surely;
very good for to take so kindly to the
little chicks. 1t does them good to
laugh bit, and 1t amt much as they've
had to make 'em laugh, lately"
at is good for all of us, now and
again, [ take it, said Jack, deslsting,
and going towards him-the children
gradually collecting in far of corner
and comparing notes.
"You can't laugh, sir, if your hearts
heavy; if you do it can be only a
sham"
While he was speaking he had taken
the Bible from the shelf, and resuming
his seat began to turn the leaves slowly
over.
"Pm an untaught, rough country
man, sir, but Ihave heard tell that these
strange things you do are only tricks:
amt it so?"
Here was, indeed, hopeful symp-
tom He was reused, then, to take
some interest in what had occurred.
"All trick, of course; it all comes of
long practice" said Jack, as he pro-
ceeded to explain some of the process
es, hoping to enchain the mans atten-
ton.
CHATS what l thought, sir, or I'd
| have given you a lob to do. I've been
in want of real conjurer for many q
long day, and nothing else'll do. See
here, Sill" he said, as he took a small,
carefully folded paper from between
the leaves of the Bible; "do you see
this?"
TWAS half a Bank of England note
fer 9100.
"Now, sir, could any conjurer nelp
me to the other half?'
"How did you come by it?' Jack ask
ed at once.
"I'll tell you, sir, short as | can make
it. CODjurer or no cOpjurer, you've got
a kindly heart, and Pm main sure that
you'll help me if you can"
Dan then described how he had pick
ed up the basket from the quarter to
eleven Liverpool ex Dress.
"There was the linen; I've kept it.
See here; all marked quite pretty and
proper, with lace round the edges, as
though its mother loved to make the
! little one smart"
monogram and crest. The first he
made out to mean IL. L. NJ, and the
crest was plainly two hammers cross
ed, and the motto 81 strike'-not a
common crest-and he never remem-
bered to have seen it before.
"And that was all"
"'Cept the bank note This was in
poor old purse, with q pawn-ticket
and thimble. L kept them ALL"
Like true detective, Jack examined
every article infinitely. The purse
bore the name Hester Gorrigan in rude
letters inside, and the pawn ticket was
made out in the same name.
II cannot give you much hope that
[ will succeed. but [ will do my best
Will you trust me with the note for a
time ?"
Surely, sir. with the greatest of pleas
ure. If you could but find the other
half it would give Harry-that's what
we call him-such start in life, school
ing, ard the cost of binding him to
some honest trade"
Jack shook the mans hand, prOmis-
ed to do his best, and left the cottage.
When Jack Newbiggin got back to the
parsonage he found that his host had
excepted an invitation for them both to
dine at the "Big House," as it was call
ed, the country seat of the squire of
the parish.
They were cordially received at the
''Blg House." Jack was handed over
forthwith to his old friends, who figur-
atively, rushed into his arms. They
wero London acquaintances-no more
of the sort we meet here and there
and everywhere during the season, who
care for us and we for them, as much
as for South Sea Islanders. but whom
we greet with rapturous effusion when
we meet them in strange place. Jack
knew the lady whom he escorted to dim
ner as a gossipy dame, who when his
back was turned made as much sport
of him as of her other friends.
81 have been fighting your battles all
day." began Mrs Sitwell.
"Was it necessary? / should have
Thought myself too Insignificant"
"They were talking at lunch of your
wonderful knack in copjuring, and
some one said that the skill might prove
inconvenient-when you played cards,
for instance"
"a charitable imputation! With
whom did it originated"
| s'Sir Lewis Mallaby."