The morning call., 1893-01-26
A WIZARD.

A WIZARD.
+ was in California that I first met
Stregone. saw him but three times in all,
and found 1t impossible TO make any
progress in his confidence. Confidence he
had none, save in himself. StTegone's con-
fdence In his own power, whether that
power were natural or suUernatural-and l
have never been able to settle the point abso-
lutely in my own mind-was notthat Of pet
ty vanity; IL was sublime aud mastery. He
stood alone. surrounded by an impossible
wall af reserve. cool as an ice barrier and
as polished. Even the name by which he
was known was manifastly an assumed one
although it was acCep,ed 10 that rough
Western region without demur.
A New E0&lander by birth. l found my
self at so living alone in q rude cabin
among tie foothills Of the Sierra Neyadas.
I owned some land there, and had come up
to verify the surveys before making arrange
meuts for Irritating it, Anumber Of miles
from the town as I was the snow-c0vered
peaks were my neighb0Ts. and the smoke Of
the far-off Indian encampments my human
cOmpaDiOnshlp.
Ny surprise may therefore be guessed
when, as ! sat Que evening reading within
the door Of my hut, shadow fell between
me and the setting sun. and raising my eyes
1 discovered 1t to be that of a man. had
scarcely time TO wonder at the chit Of
gentleman in black brOadcl0th and immacu-
late linen at large among the foothills at
that hour before be ap0lOgized, with polite
removal Of his silk nat, fer inteWupting
MY studies, and begged me TO have the
kindness TO direct him to the town by the
shortest road.
There was no trace of foreign accent in
his soft and peculiarly distinct tones but l
set him down on the instant as an Italian
which is probably the only thing concern
ing him in which | ever came anywhere
near guessing the truth. Concealing my
establishment / assured him the town was
fully twenty miles away and the road.
which / Indicated, rough, and that he would
certainly be OYeTtaken by night before half
the distance should be accomplished l
added:
The best thing you can do will be to ae-
Cept my hospitality for the night ! our
horse a. we'll as yourself must be tired, and
10 wll give me pleasure to have even one
nights cOmpaniOuship in my solitude. My
shelter and food are Of the toughest, but
such as they are. you are welcome TO share
them"
Il thank you" he said at once. 81 ac-
cept your offer gladly" And he entered
the hut
MY horse? Pardon ne; I have no
horse with me-" said be in so final a tone
that | could find 10 plausible excuse for ask
Ing hlH how be got twenty miles away from
civilization without a horse. and yet looked
as fresh il he had just stepped out Of
baHdbox.
During the process of cooking and eating
our simple supper. IN the preparation Of
which | at once engaged myself. l exam
med my visitor closely. His age might have
heen anywhere between 20 and So His
face was smooth aud unwrinkled. but there
was an incipient badness about the crown
OF his well-shaped head, although his black
hair had no touch Of gray. For the rest.
his general appearance was OF the MeDhis-
t0phelian cast affected by prestidgitators.
lie was slim and tall, AMI wore small
pointed beard aud q mustache, the straight
waXed ends Of which ran upward. His air
Of dlgnihed courtesy sat as easily on him as
his black clothes. and he betrayed neither
curiosity nor surprise at any Of the arrange
ments Of my primitive dwelling.
After supper we drew up before the blaZ-
ing FIRE, ! with my pine and he with innu-
merable cigarettes that he rolled as he
smoked. He talked well on subjects of
general interest for long time, and | had
an impression that l was listening atten-
lively until the fact dawned upon NE, to
my great surprise, that the conversation
had laDNed into my hands and that / was
enlarglng to this stranger upon various
plans and anxieties as freely as if he
was my brother. l came to an awkward
stop.
You were SAYING" he said In his soft,
distinct voice, that one hardship Of your
solitary lie here is the long distance you
have TO 90 for water?"
The smoke from his cigarette in his fin
gers fi0ated up between me and his dark,
politely attentive features in curiOusly
complicated curls and rings, which inter
linked aud twisted for long time without
fading.
Yes" returned laconically. determined
TO speak as little as possible IL l could not
open my lips without letting out a gush OF
personal condolences.
why DO you not use the water Of the
spring near the corner Of your cabn?" be
inquired. rs it unfit to drink"
There is 10 spring there" l said.
Surely | cannot have been Mistaken"
he replied. There is water by the small
heap of stones a dozen yards from your
do r, is there not?"
There Is no spring within half mile"
AS the distance Is so short suppose we
step out that may see how | happened to
make so absurd a mistake" said my guest,
rising and going to the door
Wondering at his persistence, took
blazing pine knot from the fire and followed
him into the open air. The night was dark,
being mOOnless, and the torch sent out odd
ffickers Of light and shade over his figure as
he lea the way TO heap OF rocks, one Of
the many that cropped out of the thirsty
soil thereabOut. Pausing before II he said
This is the spring of which | spoke"
There is n 0 water there" | replied
"a The pine knot cast a dull glow on the
powders and on my guest as he laid his
white hand on one OF the largest rocks.
With n apparent effort he sent it topping
over, ard from the middle of the cavity it
mad occupied there gittered out into the
toTchght a thin thread Of limpid water