Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1889-06-14


called mind reader. Bishop had In his poe
session one Of his hosts visiting cards, which
bad been left for tho American ut his hotel
Ho was careful to he tho first guest to arrive
nt the place OF appointment, and finding, as
ho expected, that his host had not yet do
scended TO the parlor, made an excuse for tho
servant 10 show him ur stairs for moment.
Passing tho door OF tho librnry--which WINS
Immediately nbove tho dining room-and
finding II unoccupied, be skipped In with that
cot like tread which distinguished him.
Picking up one OF many books which were
scattered over table ho opened It at page
~, ,and In a few moments his marvellous
memory had enabled him TO retain the
words OF tho first paragraph on page %
OF the volume on political economy. Hav-
Ing inserted his hosts visiting card boz
tween the two pages he placed the book atop
the Others, and In such an awkward position
that It could scarcely fail 10 first attrnct the
attention OF a person entering tho room.
With this explanation tho trick Is easily un-
dcrstood. OF COURSE, tho host did not place
his card between pages 0i and 95, but when
Bishop announced that tho card was IN that
position no ono thought Of looking for a
second card elsowbore Had tho wrong book
been brought him, no would have diverted
tho trick into another channel.
Did Bishop ever hive an accomplicci
Even those who clslsshim as trlckster do
not think 30. They think no was too smart
b. ever intrust his secrets to any ono, Tho
testimony OF Charles Frohman, his first
American manager, Is valuable In this rc-
spcct. His nrst appearance In Now York
was IN Steinway hall, and tho receipts were
Sis. Frohman determined that first class
theatre must DO secured and tho attention OF
tho scientific world drawn to the perform
ancas Wallacks theatre was leascd. Invt-
tatious to private test were sent to scien-
lists, doctors and Newspaper men. On the
day prcccding tho hrst exhibition In Wal
lacks, they assembled In ono II the parlors
OF tho Hoffman housa A committee OF
prominent gentlomen was appointed TO take
needle and drive 30 any place In New York
and hide It Bishop, bllndfolded and clasp
ing ono Of tho oommitteemen by tho wrist,
was 10 drive the same carriage over tho same
route and nnd tho needle
when tho COMMITTEES had gono," says Mr..
Prohfnan In speaking Of this occurronco, ~
became worried. had mover scon tho OK
pertinent tried Fniluro meant disastrous
loss for mo While tho crowd was busy with
the collation. and laughing at tho Jokes o.
MARSHALL Z. "iincr who was hcro 70 enter
tain tbcn, whispered 10 Bishop: DO you
nocd any aSistancei can have some one
follow that committee androport their move
ments 70 you socrcuyf lie looked at mo
caimiy anu sah; NO, l don't necd any
a,setance l can do y Bat evcn u !
lind TINT can't III avoid failure nslseti
him what bo meant Why no answered.
WHO no utmost discrimination, II 4 find
chnt do h VII run over somo one with the
carriage or eisc upset the COMMITTEES In the
arcce But tho experiment was complete
snoces& AMI he found uie neeDe In tho upper
story OF pilth avenue house"
One more uiustiniSon and am done
bishop once told mo that whom he was In
~ PETERSBURG tho iaec assassin haunted car
aaSci him II no could not employ his seem
ingiy mysterious power to detsct murderous
schemes against thc Ire OF tho ruler OF tho
huisiaa iho mind render-ii that Is the
proper oin,-answercd that such an Idea had