Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-10-02

for a Job of navvying on the line. These
poor folk had gruesome life of II, u hard
hand -to-mouth struggle for bare exis-
tence against perpetual priyation. nc
companied by unremitting toll.
A new parson-IIarold Treffry--had
come lately to Kirklington. lie was an
earnest, energetic young man, who had
won his spurs in the East End parish,
and had now accepted this country liv-
ing because il seemed 10 open up IA new
field of usefulness. He had plunged
bravely into the midst of his WORK; he
was forever going up and down among
his parishioners, solacing and comfort
ing, preaching manful endurance and
trustfulness 10 all.
lie is now paying n round of parochial
visits, accompanied by nm old college
chum, who is spending some days with
him.
"Yondcr," said Trcfrry, pointing to n
thin thread of smoke which rose from
some gaunt trees into the sullcn wintry
air, "yonder is the housc--iG indeed, it
deserves so grand u ramc-the hovcl,
rather. Of one whose case Is the hardest
of all the hard ones in my unhappy cure.
This man is IA mere hcdgor and ditchcr,
one who works for any master. most
ollAil lbl NlA' lAlANtg bhA 'AAN - fAN -
certain of "A Job NIL the year round. He
has a swarm of young children, and lac
has Just lost his wife. He Is absolutely
prostratcd; aghast, probably, nj the
future before him, and his utter inca
pacity 10 do his duty by his motherlcss
little ones. .Jackn said the parson,
stopping short suddenly, and looking
straight into his companions face.
wonder whether you could rouse himP
Ifyou could only get him to make n sign;
TO cry or laugh or take the smallest in
terest in common affairs. Jack. be-
lieve you're the very man. You might
get ut him through the children that
marvellous hanky-panky of yours, those
surprising tricks; child takes 10 you
naturally at once. Try and make friends
with these. Perhaps, when the father
sees them interested and amused. he may
warm little, speak, perhaps. approve,
perhaps smile, and in the end give in.
Jack. will you tryPn
Jack Ncwbiggin was by profession a
conveyancer. but nature had intended
him for n new Houdin. or Wizard of
the North. He was more than half
professional by the time he was full
grown. In addition TO thcquick eye and
the facile wrist, he had the rarcr gifts Of
suavc manner and the face of brass.
They entered the miserable dwelling
together. The children--Cight of them
were skirmishing all over the floor.
They were quite unmanagcable, and be-
yond the control Of the eldest sister, who
was busted in setting out the table for the
midday meal; one otner child. OF six or
seven, bright-cycd, exceedingly bcauti-
ful boy. the lcast--wcre not natures VA
carries well known-likcly to be born
among and belong 20 such surroundings,
stood between the legs of the man him
self. who had his back TO the visitors
and was crouching low over the scanty
fire.
The man turned his head for n mo-
mont. gave blank stare than m impcr-
ceptible nod, and once more he gloworcd
down upon the fire.
Here, little ones. do you sec this rcn-
tlcnan? he's o conjuror. Know what
coniuror IS, Tommy" cried the parson.
catching up mite of four or five Fl ON
the floor. " No, not you nor you. Sarah;
nor you, Jacky and he ran through all
their names.
They had now ceased their gambol..
and were staring hard at their visitors
the moment was propitious: Jack New
biggin began. He had fortunately filled
his pockets with nuts. oranges. and cakes
before leaving the parsonage. So he had
half his apparatus ready to hand.
The pretty boy had very soon leit the
father nj the fire, aud had come over to
Join in the fun. going back, however. 10
exhibit his share Of the spoil and describe
voluminOusly what had occurred. This
and the repeated shouts Of laughter
seemed to produce some impression on
him. Presently he looked over his
shoulder. and said-but without nuima-
ton
"It be very good OF you. sir. surely
very good for to take so kindly to the
little chicks. II docs them good To laugh
bit, and IL amt much ~ they've had TO
make 'em lately
1T Is good for all of us. now and
again, take it, said Jack. desisting,
and going toward him--the children
gradually collecting in n far-of corner
and comparing notes.
You can't laugh. sir. IL your hearts
heavy If you do. 1t can be only n
sham"
While he was speaking he had taken
the Bible from the shelf. and rosuming
his seat, began to turn the leaves slowly
over.
I'm IN untaught. rough countrymnn.
Sifs uuN L uANN HfAfu Ati& tttaN Niif-*
strange things you do are only tricks;
ain't 1t SOP"
Here was. indeed. hopeful symptom,
He was reused, then, to take some in
terest in what had occurred
"All tricks. Of course; il all comes Of
long practice, ' said Jack. as he pTocc, ded
to explain some Of the simple processes.
hoping to enchain the mans attention.
That's what | thought. sir. or I'd
have given you job to do. I've been
in want Of n real conjuror many long
day, and nothing less'll do. See here,
sir" he said, as he took n small. care
fully-paper from between the leaves of
the Bible; do you see this9"
II was half Bank Of England note for
ElOO.
Now, sir. could any cofjuror help
me 20 the other hali2m
How did you come by it?n Jack
aaEed ot onco