The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-02
THE FATAL CANE.

ears ago plckcu up NJ u DOOk SUN tn
Anticipated volume treating OF occult mat
tiers. IL interested me, because had come
across a variety Of strange beliefs con.
nected with the magic art In the course OF
my naval life, and had witnessed things
that gave my European notions more than
one rude shock.
II is all very well TO say that magic and
belief in the supernatural lurking behind
natural objects OF a simple nature, such M
crystals, amber, opals, etc, were the first
ignorant approach 10 science; but should
very much like to be acquainted with the
science that would throw satisfactory light
upon certain curious doings and cxtraor-
binary occurrences which have made
part Of my tropical experiences. The most
interesting 10 me, being tie most personal
OF these, am now going 10 relate,
and Il was the only one j did not go
the least bit out OF my way TO meet
In these DAYS We are told OF sympa-
thetic fluid, gas or electric current that per.
yadcs the whole earth from pole TO pole,
and includes all that appertains 10 earth in
Miss Nightingale for one, discovered that
nervous rcstlcssncss was controlled and
sleep induced by the head OF the sufferer
polled, but with regard 10 north and south.
This Is quoted as proof Of the course and
influence OF the current.
This current, then, Is believed by the
learned in occult matters 10 be the sympa-
thctic medium between the higher and
lower creatures. all, chemically speaking,
wrought out OF the same identical ele-
ments.
Suppose all this, and then add TO Il your
knowledge Of the mysterious power OF evil
working above, below and around; note
how inexplicable many events are; how
impossible, with all our experience, 10 fore.
east the least OF them. Observe the enor-
nous power Of pure good and the hidcous
power Of determined evil, and then, II you
please, tell me that there IL really nothing
in my story but chain OF condolences.
was slrolling through Plymouth ono
day, according 20 my usual habit, keeping
an eve open Tor anything interesting and
curious, when was attracted by shop oil
that heterogeneous description only 10 he
seen in scaports. Every port in the known
world seemed 90 have contributed toward
examining the dirty windows with objects.
Parrots In cages hung at the door, live
birds nestled together on the counter, in q
cage too small Tor even their tiny forms;
sea-shells, beads, weapons, bits Of uniform
all that Jack iancics, buys for his mother
and sweetheart and sells Tor drink rs soon
rs the port cormorants seize him, was
there.
Embroldcrics ON leather. linen aud silk,
tobacco pouches and opium pouches,
black wood carvings, ivory trifics, elephant
tooth paper weights, clay figures, brazcn
idols, slippers, fans, caskcts, chcssmcn,
charms" In punches, coral spongcs, q
chip Of the great pyramid, Arab burnouscs
all these and 100 more nondcscript arti-
clcs were there. Popped up In one cor.
ncr I cspicd Malacca cane In company
with green silk umbrella which might
have belonged TO Thebaw's wife. II was
not the umbrella, with In Ny, battered,
costly, wicked air, but the cane, that ar
rested my notice. Firstly, because Il was
not like the others OF is kind, being a
white Malncca, and nearly three inches
/ longer between the joints than any other
I had seen secondly, because WAS rather
on the lookout for present for an elderly
gentleman, and I fancied that. well mount
ed, Il would be the very thing 10 give
/ him. had made up my mind 10 buy II,
/ aud had taken step toward the dark door.
/ way crowded with bundles Of stuiis,
and Swallowed by handsome tiger skin.
| when the owner shuillcd out. ! suppose,
/ 10 hook inc In ~ a likely customer. lie
was an odd looking little fellow, grimy and
unpleasant enough, whose age aud nation.
/ nlity no man could guess at ! felt sure OF
two things only that his character was oI
the shadicst and that he lived In q mole
| like fashion, only coming 10 the surface q
grind and cheat his fellow creatures. lie
would have been At home, moreover, IN
any quarter Of the globe, along shore,
where blue. jackcisand beachcombcn wen
/ % be- found.
"Hulo, rs YOU. IA it1'' remarked, for
| must mention that We had met before,
when happened 10 haul him out OF a lit
tie mob 81 Iascan and Cinnamon, who
seemed 10 mean putting an end TO him
lie was one against many and an old man,
knives wcrc out, ~ brought him OF, fol
which service, FAR from appearing grateful,
! iancicd he looked rs though he owed me
a grudgc.
The glitter OF his eyes, which were the
eyes Of a reptile, not human being
don't care 20 ask how they got into a hu'
man sort Of head. but there they were
did not take my fancy. ~ ! asked 10 have
n look NJ that Malacca cane. The manner
IN which he licked his thin. blue, flexible
lips was not pleasing, either, but se'