Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1882-08-18
70 present at the evenings perform

be present at tho evenings perform
ance.
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 o seat,
only few steps in frontof the per-
former. ~
There was crowded audience. and
everything went off charmingly. The
egg trick was repeated by particular re-
| quest, and afforded as much amuse-
ment rs ever. The signor allowed him
self to be shot at, and caught the bullet
in his teeth. Ladies saw their handker-
chiefs cut up and made into an ONE
lette, and afterwards restored to them
ironed and folded. A pair OF doves
were found in lady's bonnet, and a
rabbit in an old gentleman's hat.
So the signor went through with his
stock performances delightful
novelty then and there, though so IA
miliar 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.
"Perhaps you will lend me yours"
he remarked, "if 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 a
start of surprise, and with frown of
feigned displeasure turned to address
the audience. t
IL have particularly requested" he
said, "that gentlemen 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 which
he held by the chain.
"a hat seems very unsafe place for
carrying watch; and why couldn' t
the gentleman have taken the trouble
lending it to mep But what is hereP"
Having placed the watch on the table,
the signor shook the hat and turned it
towards the audience, showing it to be
partly filled with loose bank-notes.
These he began to remove by the hand
full, placing them on the table with the
watch with many exclamations of sur
prise, amidst roars of laughter from the
spectators.
Then he shook the hat again to see if
it was empty at last; and bearing some
thing rattle, fished out ring.
"A gold ringr' he exclaimed. holding
it up before the audience. ga dia-
mand ringM 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 astonishment 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:
"Lades and gentlemen, the evening S
performance is ended"
Mr.. Oatman called on The conjurel
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 fol
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 earnestly into his eyes. "Be
kind and true to your good parents and
dear sister. and keep your promise,
neuer, nerer 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 Signol
Blitz.- YOUTHS Companion.