Connecticut western news., 1893-10-19


 your arm, and I will introduce you. Your audience is growing impatient.
 Certainly, madame, in just one mo- ment," said Latournelle, feeling with his foot for his slipper, and so recom- mencing the remarkable jig executed by the general few moments before. Now the other players laughed outright which they had not dared to do the first time. And the mistress of the house stood there, surprised at being kept waiting so long and wondering how much longer her escort would keep her in that attitude. Impatient ladies came in shoals to add their solicitations to those of their hostess.
 Our young man positively had to get out of the predicament some how. He did get out of it, but with only one shoe, for he also had stopped down and dis covered the disappearance of the mis- guided slipper, and he marveled in deep anxiety how he was going to explain such 8 state of affairs.
 His one shod foot provoked general hilarity, then delighted applause and cries of ''It's trickI It's some trickr'
 The petted darling of the ladies smiled weak smile and stammered:
 "Yes, ladies, 1t is trick"
 Applause, accompanied by general clapping of hands, greeted this an- nouncement, while Latournelle kept say ing to himself:
 "Oh, yes, it's great trick, but some one has played it on me, and 1 don't find it so very funny. If only knew who 1t was'-then, struck with an idea: "Heav- ens If it could be the general-his sin gular performance just now-and I saw him stoop down-if it was really he, 1t would be pretty uncomfortable joke on me. How can make sure?"
 As he escorted the lady through the room he tried to get near the general. He managed to do so, and with the back of his hand he cautiously knocked against the pocket of the generals coat which he suspected contained the slip per. There was nothing therel He tried to sound the other pocket, but slight move on the generals part carried him sary to pass around on the side where 1t was.
 "Where in the world are you taking me2' demanded the lady on his arm.
 "Why-er-to the head of the room," and as he was now on the right side of the general he wanted to try the other pocket. Here was 8 new obstacle that he had not foreseen. The fact that the lady had the arm nearest the general made any attempt at exploration impos- nble He offered the other on the pre- text of an old wound which was paining him and was able at last to repeat his former tactics This time he was satis- fed. ''It's therer' he murmured, and he did not enjoy the reflection that the hus- band of his adored one had discovered his maneuvers under the table.
 "Well, Pm in 8 pretty mess," he con- cluded.
 Everybody had crowded into the room, there was an expectant hush, and all were on tiptoe for the promised trick. There was no way to retreat.
 "Here goes," said the imprudent lover. "I must take the plunge, come what may" And he plunged.
 Ladies'" he said, 'I have lost my slip per. I have not got 1t concealed about my person; my pockets are empty"-he turned them inside out-"nor Is it in my coat"-he held in my waist coat"-he unbuttoned it-''nor. in my sleeves"-and he turned them up to his elbows. "You see, ladies, have noth- ing in my hands or my pockets. I must find out, then, where the lost article Is. Nothing is more simple. have only to make slight cabalistic calculation With this he covered his face with his hands and assumed an attitude of pro- found cogitation. Then, without re- moving his hands, he counted: "One, two, three, four, five. My slipper" he cried, 'is in the left pocket of the sixth person to my right"
 This person was the general.
 "Not badr' the latter exclaimed un- der his breath, and in obedience to the universal cries of Search yourself, search yourself. general" he drew the slipper from the pocket indicated.
 A storm of applause was evoked by the brilliant success of the trick. Then, aft CT much whispering, several voices cried, "Oh, the general is his confeder- ate." --. -..a..
 "Yes, yes, came chorus of voices; Ines confederate"
 The conjurer protested.
 Do it again, thenp some one demand ed, and everybody took up the cry: " es, yesl Do 1t againr'
 "Oh," said lady, "the general has just been whispering to M. Latournelle." !" And the cry went up again that he was a confederate. .
 The general affirmed that he was in no sense furthering the conjurer's devices.
 But you were just now whispering with him." insisted the witnesses of the conference.
 "The exact truth is this, ladies' You asked the conjurer to repeat his per formance. just this moment told him that 1t was one of those tricks that should not be tried second time. Did not, sir?" said the general significantly.
 Precisely, general, and I shall fol- low your advice" replied Latournelle. ''It shall not be repeated"
 And 1t never was.-Translated For Ar gonaut From the French of Jules Moi naux by l.. s. Vassault.
 Six Lost or Manistee.