The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-10-14

tnelr nanQKercnleIs cut up ana ma0e INTO
an omelette, and afterwards restored to
them ironed and folded. A pair of doves
were found in lady's bonnet, and rabbit
in an old gentleman's hat. ~ - s1
So the signor went through with his
stock performance-aH delightful novelty
then and there, though SO familiar to other
audiences in later 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. b.
"Perhaps you will lend me yours he re-
marked, eff I will promise to be careful
of it." m
The planter handed him 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 start
of surprise, and with frown of feigned
displeasure turned to address the audience.
II have particularly requested, he said
'that gentleman should be careful 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 carelessness of the owner of
this one."
So saying, he put his hand into the hat
and drew out gold watch he held up by
the chain.
GA hat seems a very unsafe place for
carving a watch and why couldn't the
gentleman have taken the trouble to remove
something SO valuable before lending it to
me? But what is here?'
Having placed the watch on the table,
the signor shook the hat and turned it to-
wards the audience, showing it to 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 exclamations of surprise, amid roars
of laughter from the spectators.
Then he shook the hat again to see if it
was empty at last; and hearing something
rattle, fshed out ring.
GA gold ringr' he exclaimed, holding
it up before the audience. GA diamond
ringr' letting it sparkle in the light.
''Now what temptation this is to place be-
fore an honest conjurer I'll have nothing
more to do with this hat and contents.
With these words he produced the climax
of astonishment by handing the hat back to
the owner with the banknotes crowded into
it, and giving him the watch and ring.
The most pleased and wonder-struck
person present was probably the planter him
self, as he showed the treasures to his wife
and children, and they recognized the
genuineness of the articles. Perhaps Geo.
was not SO surprised as the rest, but he had
reason to feel 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, saying
that if he should explain his tricks to every
body 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 to rescue from
ruin also called, and begged to know how
he could show his gratitude to the friendly
conjurer.
''There is only one way, said the signor;
taking him by the hand and looking earn
estly into his eyes, "Be kind and true to
your good parents and dear sister, and keep
your promise neuer, 'aever to fall into the
odious vice of gambling again"
The youth renewed his vows, which the
conjurer had the satisfaction, long after
ward, of knowing had been faithfully kept.
As for the planters family, we may be
sure that they never ceased to think with
gratitude of the wonderful Signor Bhtz