The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1889-02-08


but without animation:
..It is very good of you, sir, surely;
very good for you to take so kindly to
the little chicks 1t does them good
70 laugh 4 bit, but il amt much as
they've had to make 'em lately"
1T is good for all of us now and
again. rtake it. said Jack, desisting
and going towards him, the children
gradually collecting in q far of corner
and comparing notes
"You can't laugh. sir. if your hearts
heavy; If you do it can be only a
sham"
While he was speaking he had taken
the Bible from the shelf. and resum-
ing his seat began to turn the leaves
over.
I'm an untaught, rough country
man, sir. but l have heard tell that
these strange things you do are only
tricks; ain il sop
Here was indeed hopeful symptom.
He was reused then TO take some in
terest in what had occurred.
-.All tricks. of course; it all comes
Of practice, " said Jack. as he proceed
ed to explain some of the simple proc
SrotSs AAO pms W CAOLASS4h N44C AA4e&A ut-
tention.
That's what thought sir. or I'd
have given you job to do. I've been
in want of = real coniuror many long
day, and nothing less'll do See here.
sir" he said, ~ no took q small. care
fully-folded paper from between the
leaves of the Bible. do you see this?'
Il was half 3 Bank Of England note
for Cleo
How. sir, could any conjuror holp
me TO the other half?'
''How did you como by it?" asked
jack at once.
In tell you, sir, short as | can
make it Coniuror or no conjuror.
you've got n kindly heart, and I'm
main sure that you ii help if you can
Dan then described how he had picked
up the basket from tho IU:45 Liverpool
express
''Thore was the linen; I've kept IT,
Sec here; all marked quite pretty and
proper, with lace round the edges, a.
though its mother loved 10 make the
Httlo one smart
Jack examined the linen: it bore
made out u mean H. l. NJ. and the
crest WAS plainly two hammers crossed.
and tho motto. II strike not a COM
mon crest-and he never remembered
70 have seen il before.
And was that ali?
e Ccpt the bank note That was IN
poor Old purse with p pawn-ticllet
and u thimOlo. l Z pit them all"
Like true detective jack examined
-vCry article infinitely. The purse
bore the name Hester Gorrigan. in rude
letters inside. and the pawn-ticLet wss
made out in the same name
THE SECOND HALF.
When Jack New biggin got back 10
the parsonage he found that his host
had accepted an invitation for them
both to Zine at the Big House." a.
IL was called. the country seat Of the
squire of the parish
Il have been fighting your battles
an day. began Mrs. Sitwel,. the host
ess. when seated at dinner aext to
Jack
Was /. neceesarye / should have
thought myself too insignificant"
They were talking at lunch OF your
wonderful. tricks in soniurin-. and
some one said that the skill might
provo ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS you played
cards. fo- Instance"
"A charitable imputatiou; with
whom did il originated"
"Sir Lewis MaIlaby.~ , {
please point him ont TO rne.'
lie was shown grave. scowlins
face upon the right of the hastcss-u
face like n mask, the sGr.scs rough
and wrinlllei, through which the eyes
shone with a balefu. light. ike corpse
candles in a sepulchor.
Jack let his companion chatter on
II was his habit to get al the infor-
mution possible about any company in
which he found himself. for hi, own
purpose - = clairyoyant. and when
Mrs Sitwcl Jagged he piled her with
artless questions. and led her on from
one person TO another, making mental
notes - serve him hereafter 1t is
thus By careful and labOrious prepara-
lions that many OF the strange and
seemingly mysterious feats Of the clair
voyant cJnIuror Hre performed.
When the whole party were assem-
blcd in the drawing-room after dinnor
chorus OF voices, headed b. that OF
the hostess, summoned Jack to his
work. There appeared 10 be only one
0iSsentient Sir Lewis Ma laby. who
not only did not trouble himself to-
back up the invita- ton but when the
performance was actually begun was
at no pains 10 conceal HE contempt
and disgust.
The cOnjuror made the conventional
plum pudding in hat fired wedding
rings into Quartern loaves. did all man
1er or card trickz. knife tricks, pistol
tricks and iuggled on conscientiously
right through his repertory. There
was neye- = smile Gu Sir Lewis face;
Le sHeerod Enthusiastically. Finally,
with IN osteutatiop that savorei of
ruGcness. no took out his watch, n
great gold repeater. looked ~ it and
Enthusiastically yawned-
Jack hungered for that watch direct
IL hs ssw it, Perhaps through ii he
might mako its oWuur uncomfortablc.
II only for "a moment. But how to get
il into his handse He asked for a
watch-a dozen were offered. No ono
OF these would do II must be good
watch repeater.
Sir Lewis Mallaby's was tho only
one in tho room. and he n first dis
timely refused to lend IL But 50 many
earacs: entreaties were addressed TO
him, the hostess leading the attack.
that he could not in common courtesy
continue to refuse.
With something like grovl he took
his watch OF the chain and hsnded il
to Jack Newbiggin-
A curious. eld-fashioned watch it