The St. Johns herald., 1896-04-25
THE CONJURER's REVENGE.
lTruth.l

IIrHln.
 'Now ladies and gentlemen, ,"said the conjurer. "having shown you that the cloth is absolutely empty, I will proceed to take from it bowl of goldfish. Presto?"
 All round the hall people were saying:
 "Oh, how wonderful How does he do it?"
 But the Quick Man on the front seat said in big whisper to the people near him:
 "He-had-it-up-his-sleeve."
 Then the people nodded brightly at the Quick Man and said:
 "Oh, of course;" and everybody whis- pered round the hall:
 "He-had-it--up -his-sleeve.
 'My next trck, said the conjurer, "is the famous Hindostanee rings. You will notice that the rings are apparently separate; at blow they all join (clang. clang. clang)-Prestol"
 There was another general buzz of stupefaction till the Quick Man was heard to whisper:
 "He-must have had another - lot-up-his-sleeve."
 Again everybody nodded and whis- pered:
 "The-rings--were--up--his--sleeve." !"
 The brow of the conjurer was clouded with gathering frown.
 Il will now." he continued, "show you most amusing trick by which I am enabled to take any number of eggs, from a hat. Will some gentleman kindly lend me his hat? Ah thank vou-Presto!"
 He extracted seventeen eggs, and for thirty-five seconds the audience Eegan to think that be was wonderful. Then the Quick Man whispered along the front bench:
 ''He-has-a-hen-up--his--sleeve," and all the people whispered 1t on. "He-has-a-lot-of-hens-up-hls- sleeve"
 The egg trick was ruined.
 It went on like that all through. It transpired from the whispers of the Quick Man that the conjurer must have concealed up hls sleeve, in addition to the rings, hens and fish, several packs of cards, loaf of bread, dolls cradle, a live guinea-pig, 8 50-centpiece and rocking-chair.
 The reputation of the conjurer was rapidly sinking below zero. At the close of the evening he rallied for final ef- fort.
 "Ladies and gentlemen" he said, "I will present to you, in conclusion, the famous Japanese trick recetly invented by the natives of Tipperary. Will you, sir," he ontinued, turning toward the Quick Man, twill you kindly hand me your gold watch?"
 It was passed to him.
 "Bave I your permission to put it into this mortar and pound it to piecesr' he asked, savagely.
 The Quick Man nodded and smiled.
 The conjurer threw the watch into the mortar and grasped sledge ham, mer from the table. There was sound of violent smashing.
 "He- sllpped-it-up-his-sleeve, whispered the Quick Man.
 '.Now, sir" continued the conjurer, twill you allow me to take your hand kerchief and punch holes in it? Thank you. You see, ladies and gentlemen, there is no deception; the holes are wis., ible to the eye.
 The face of the Quick Man beamed. This time the real mystery of the thing fascinated him.
 "And now, SIT, will you kindly pass me your silk hat and allow me to dance on it2 Thank you"
 The conjurer made few rapid passes with his feet aud exhibited the hat crushed beyond recognition.
 "And will you now, sir, take of your celluleid collar and permit me to burn 1t in the candle? Thank you. sir. And will you allow me to smash your spec. tacles for you with my hammer? Thank you"
 By this time the features of the Quick Man were assuming puzzled express ion.
 "This thing beats me-" he whispered. F'I don't see through it bit."
 There was a great hush upon the audi ence. Then the conjurer drew himself up to his full height and with wither- ing look at the Quick Man, he concluded:
 "Ladies and gentlemen, you will ob- serve that have, with this gentleman's permission. broken his watch, burnt his collar, smashed his spectacles and danc- ed on his hat. If he will give me the further permission to paint green stripes on his overcoat, or to tie his su- spenders in a knot, shall be deligh ted to entertain you. If not, the perform ance is at an end.
 And amid a glorious burst of music from the orchestra the curtain fell, and the audience dispersed, convinced that there are some tricks, at any rate, that are not done mp the conjurer's sleeve.