San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-01-26
A WOULD BE swINDLER BEATEN.
He Was Only Trying to Learn the Shell
Trick, but His Scholar Knew 1t.

He Was Only Trying to Learn the Shell
Trick, but His Scholar Knew 1t.
After awhile The young man with the
white hat and red necktie observed that
friend of his had posted him on new
trick, and he took from his pocket the
shell of an English walnut which had
been cut in two to make two small cups.
He also took from his vest pocket COM
mon field pea and explained:
II don't say that / can do the trick
successfully. but after a little more
practice hope to catch on"
Half dozen of US exchanged winks
and spotted him at once for sharper,
but there was middle aged man from
Indianapolis who appeared innocently
interested. He was not a green looking
man by any means, but he had a confid-
ing, childish look which would have au-
thorized any stranger to ask him for a
match or the time of day.
"What is the trick?" he asked as he
laid aside his paper.
"Why, it's to manipulate this pea in
this way-so and so-and this way, until
you can't tell which cup it's UNDER" ex-
planned the other.
''That's new idea"
Eyes, perfectly new"
"Sayr I'd like to learn that myself"
continued the Hoosier. 1.-THE boys down
our way are full of tricks, and I'd like
to get something to astonish 'em. 1t all
depends ON the twist of the wrist, doesn't
itY'
"Partly that, and partly optical illu-
sion. AS l told you before can't work
it yet, because haven't practiced suffi-
GENTLY, but do you think you could tell
which cup the pea is under now?"
81 think could" replied the Hoosier.
Sand could you now?" asked the
young man after further manipulations.
Sim sure of it."
"How sure?"
"Well, as want to learn the trick,
and as am always willing to back my
own eyes, I'll bet ten dollars can"
We winked and shook our heads at
\him, but his smile only grew more child
like.
Don't want to make it twenty dollars,
do your" asked the sharper.
sid just as soon say thirty dollars"
"Thirty it is. Just hold the cups
firmly down on my knees while get out
my sugar"
took his last dollar, and when it was
up he asked:
(Which cup is it under?"
"This one."
The cup was raised, and there, sure
enough, was the pea, it having failed to
stick to the substance inside and be lift,
ed with the shell. The look which came
into that young mans face was some
thing queer to see, and he kept swallow
ing as if he had lacks in his throat. He
gave up the stakes without word, but
sat for long time like one in dream
| thought he needed sympathy, and
after awhile | found opportunity to in.
quire:
slow did it happen that way?"
''That's what want to find out" he
absently replied. Say, you childlike
Hoosier, take these things and let's see
what you can do with EN-"
Certainly, to oblige."
He took the cups and the pea, and the
manner in which he performed was
enough to show everybody in ten seconds
that he was an old professional.
Anybody wish to bet?" he smilingly
asked, as the pea went hopping about.
Nobody did--not even the young man
He sat and stared and stared, and
watched and watched, and when the
outfit was returned to him all he could
say was:
"Well, by gumr'-Detroit Free Press,