The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1882-01-13

An Episode IN the Annals Of the Magi
Club.


An Episode In the Annals or the Mags
Club.
The Magi," we modestly called our
selves. We were club Of young lit
erary aspirants and, as nearly every
y Magian' had articles in print. held
our heads pretty high. After fifty years
experience I've come to think that no
such obnoxious creature lives as man
rehearsing, socially. his public role OF
journalist, punster or critic; but then IL
seemed fine thing TO scintillate sparks
Of ones latest magazine brillancy, in a
friendly way. upon one fellow immor-
tails. We had only single member
who was absolutely without literary pre-
tension. He got in because was pres
ident and had introduced him-that.
too. just nj moment when an initiation
fee was welcome. Ned Deniston WAS
his name chap out from England for
Yorkshire firm. correspondents Of the
house where / was serving restless
term At bookkeeping, being meanwhile
eaten up with longings after authorship.
Well. Deniston was our stupid. good
natured fellow. who spoke little. being
ovcrawcd BY our accomplishments but.
as he said: "Thout II foin & hear clever
chaps discussin' ~
One night we voted prize for the
best original story. A silver cup was
decided upon. and the subscriptions
footed up 80 literally that the confidence
Of each individual Magain in his own
powers was clearly set forth. The even
ing came for the competition, and
Phipps. q reporter on the 7rumpeter.
led on with an anecdote about dnrky.
The mimicry Of negro dialect set Deni-
son laughing 50 fatteringly long and
loud that Phipps condescendcd 10 open
conversation with him. asking when he
expected 70 return TO England.
ABBOT & back end d next week, \"
says Deniston; whcreat the fellows
roar and Deniston innocently joins in,
rcmarking
:. Yes; that was foonny tale ABBOTT
darby. and wecl told. too-weel told.
The cup stood in the middle Of our
great table. just before my presidential
chair. II glistened with SNOWY chasing.
bore an inscription beginning dr1enfid
rerb0, and. for the occasion, was filled
with flowers.
Next followed little Hopkinson,
young journalist. the mildest man
among rs. with the description Of 4 muir
der in city den; tragic Il was. soaked
in the drcgs 81 crime and ghastly with
the lights II the station-house.
That Is reel horrid tale ex-
claimed Deniston. II whoap it's not
true.
Hopkinson produced police report,
written up BY himself, in an old copy Of
his paper - proof Of bis strict adherence
10 facts.
The club set up q sort Of derision. but
Deniston read the article and an
nounccd:
It's q here / print. true a. gospel"
Poor old Dcnr' said 4. Now, or
der. and the next. :"
II proved a catch from Tom Smart
about returning % his home In the hills
Of Vermont. was arrested on the charge
81 passing counterfeit money. lie sworc
that he was innocent. and impIored Tom
Smart % See safely % her home ..her as
lies in the sfate-room thar. sir. Tom
gave the homcly pathos of the old mans
parting words: TAKE care on her. sir;
See her safe home. She was kinder
run deoun, yer see, an / brung her ter
York ter git her doctorcd up. an neouw
she's purifier nor ever. Take care on
her. sir; git her home, an Heaven bless
YER"
After much sentiment and artistic mis-
leading Tom says:
There. rcposing on tho statc-room
couch. hnthed in glorious sunset light
that filled tho air with visions. found"
~ (IIcrc he pasises and looks around
"Old mans pretty daughter says
Dcniston. eagerly and deeply Interested.
Smart doesn't stop for glicSscs from
rs older hands, but shrcw'ly ends by
saying:
4 found The old man's kitchen clock
and chuckcd the confoundcd thing over
board. N
$3.50 4 the verdict. Nobody