Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1883-05-04
MAG nc.

A magician was here the other night
and gave us few touches of the "black
art" He ale needles, mngnitized candy,
charmed birds, discoursed sweet music on
straw, wood, crockery, glass, cat.gut,
drums, and did upin good style several
amazing Ms we'll as wonderful slight of
hand performances. 1t has been SAID by
those OF oldentimes that such fellows were
in league with the devil. But this fellow
,lsclaimed any such like alliance. He had
mastered the art by patient and long con.
tinued practice. We presume he told US
the truth and are fully inclined TO believe
that he got along with his performances
without any aid from the devil. Indeed
we were very glad and we might say high.
ly delighted to think that man can do so
many neat or nice tricks right in our face
and eyes and 30 completely befool us in
spite of our seven senses. We have come
to the conclusion that il we are ever so
sharp, we are liable 10 be cheated, and tn at
it becomes us at best to look once before
we leap and 10 be sure we are right, and
not till then, go ahead.
In these days men are inclined to iump
at conclusions and 60 il blind, even IL they
should fall into the ditch. In our expel :
fences we often find that like Benjamin
Franklin we have paid too dear for the
whistle. We 60 II by magic; we turn
our hand over so quick that almost any
observer would suppose the devil was in ii
or at best that lie stood no further off than
the elbow. There is no good excuse for the
haste and rashness Of the age. This goinl
1t with rush, jumping on TO train before
it comes along, watering stock, maxim!
corners, air casting all along the track
does rs matter of course end in collaps,
or smash up. Even in religious matter
teachers are shortening up. In the Older
times il used 10 take at best five or tel
8 minutes for an old sinner to confess an,
repent of his sins and become christian
, But now here-abouts all that miserabl
wretch is required TO do. IL 10 say that h
8 believes that there is such person n
: Christ, 10 be put under water in ditc
= and 10, presto out he comes as innocent M
/, newborn babe and pure as a saint. Man
= priest standing by bloody cIimina
stepped in crime, has cheered him with III
thought, it's only step from the gnllow
10 to paradise. In these glorious times as
.. by magic many a murderer il elevate,
N reminding us of Mr. Haynes sarcasit
~ couplet "Julns by cord outwent Il
" Lord and got 10 heaven frat" They te
re us OF the dark ages Of the iron, silver MI
a. golden ages. II would seem as il we WEI
= coming well nigh on TO mn nge Of mag,
Il, or rather an age of hunbng.
'" Wonid il not be well for the Anerici
people in its stead to inaugnraie an era
r common sense. Let the people have
y. plenty OF fancy and fun aud nonseme a,
all that. but nave fair margin for h
y fair play and full exercise of our sey,
y senses. This going into social, civil al
er religious sorceries At the expense OF violi
Ia ing the laws Of nature n even co mn,
7. decency and then trying TO lailer oursely
70 that The Bible teaches MS TO do no, m
II speak we'll for sophistry, but not much
OF the wisdom Of our creator.
CmAUcER.