The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1882-09-01

more hopeful heart than he had carried
in his breast for days, he departed,
leaving the signor to work out the
delicate question in his own way.
That afternoon the signor dispatched
note to MIR. Oatman, informing him
that it was quite important he should be
present at the evenings performance.
In due time, accordingly, the planter
appeared with his whole family-wife
and daughter and son-and took his
place with them at the end of seat,
only few steps in front of the performer.
There was a crowded audience, and
everything went off charmingly. The
egg trick was repeated by particular re-
quest, and afforded as much amusement
as ever. The slgnor allowed himself to
be shot Mt, and caught the bullet in his
teeth. Ladies saw their handkerchiefs
cut up and made into nm omelette, and
afterward restored TO them neatly ironed
and folded. pair of doves were found
in Iady's bonnet, and rabbit i'll an
old gentleman's hat.
So the signor went through with his
stock performances-al delightful
novelty then and there, though so
w OOilOI aitlCuCtS III itbtI
times ! At length he had occasion to
borrow another hat.
He stepped down to the seat occupied
by the Oatman family, who were among
his most interested spectators.
perhaps you will lend me yours, Z"
he remarked, eff 1 will promise to be
careful of it."
The planter handed his large and
somewhat seedy hat with broad smile.
George looked on with bright eyes and
throbbing heart.
The signor stepped back to his table,
when, looking into the hat, he gave q
start of surprise, and with frown Of
feigned displeasure turned to address
the audience.
81 have particularly requested" he
said, "that gentlemen should be care
full to empty their hats before handing
! them to me. One hat came into my
hands, you noticed, half full of turnips.
And now remark the incredible careless
ness of the owner of this one !"
So saying, he put his hand into the
hat and drew out a gold watch, which he
held by the chain.
ga hat seems very unsafe place for
carrying watch; and why couldn't the
gentleman have taken the trouble to re =
move something so valuable before lend
ing it to me? But what is here ?"
Having placed the watch on the table,
the signor shook the hat and turned it
toward the audience, showing it be part
| ly filled with loose bank-notes. These
he began to remove by the handful,
placing them on the table with the
watch with many EXPLANATIONS of sur
prise, amid roars of laughter from the
spectators.
Then he shook the hat again to see il
it was empty at last; and, hearing some
thing rattle, fished out ring.
GA gold ringp he exclaimed, holding
it MP before the audience "a diamond
ring I" letting it sparkle in the light.
"Now. what temptation this is to
place before an honest conjurer I'll
have nothing more to do with this hat
and its contents.
With these words he produced the
climax of establishment by handing the
hat back to the owner with the bank
notes crowded into it, and giving him
the watch and ring.
The most pleased and wonder. struck
person present was probably the planter
himself, as he showed the treasures TO
his wife and children, and they recog-
nized the genuineness of the articles.
! Perhaps George was not SO surprised as
the rest, but he had reason to feel a
keener JOY than anybody else.
Meanwhile the signor stepped back
to the platform and said, with bow:
"Ladies and gentlemen, the evening s
performance is ended.
Mr.. Oatman called on the conjurer
again the next day, and urged him to
accept reward for the recovery of his
property, and also to explain the way
the thing was done.
The signor declined to do either, say
ing that if he should explain his tricks
to everybody who asked about them, he
would soon have no surprises left for the
public. The planter thanked him most
heartily, and they parted the best OF
friends.
The youth he had helped rescue from
ruin also called, and begged to know
how he could show his gratitude to the
friendly coniurer.
"There is only one way" said the
signor, taking him by the hand and
looking earnestly into his eyes. "Be
kind and true to your good parents and
dear sister, and keep your promise never,
never to fall into the odious vice of
gambling again"
The youth renewed his vows, which
the conjurer had the satisfaction. long
afterward, of knowing had been faith
fully kept.
AS for the planters family, we may be
sure that they never ceased to think
with gratitude of the wonderful Signor
/ BlitZ = YOlfh's C1nl11niOn