The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-29


a heavy load had been lifted from his
mind
Now, If this boys father has no objec-
tions to the ARRANGEMENT, l shall be saved.
he unused. THE two lads look greatly alike
and are dressed in precisely the same man
ner. like all other Chinese boys. This little
affair reminds me of the story of Aladdin.
] am the scheming magician with the ak
to grind. and the iron box takes the place
Of the wonderful lamp. But we have two
Aladdins Well, why not? We have Uncle
Toms Cabin with two Topsies and two
Markses, and why not have two Aladdins?"
And the professor broke into laugh.
Just then Vim Foo returned, painting for
breath for he had run all the way to his
home and back again.
My come" he said, with a happy grin.
My father him say come. Him get six let
tee-my get two lettee."
Very WELL" laughed the magician. you
may divide up the dollar between you to
suit yourselves. L see that your papa has
an eye out for business himself
And then he asked YIN Foo to be at the
theater promptly at o'clock that evening.
The little Chinaman declared that he would
be at "teatah plenty time" So, having
thus accomplished successfully his purpose
III visiting CHINATOWN, the ldil AlucIlSdH
gentleman with the handsome mustache
and silk hat took his departure
Little YIN Foo continued his search all
afternoon for his playmate, Sing Wee, but
without any success whatever. He at last,
with much reluctance, gave up the hunt
and made his way to the theater to keep
his engagement with the American gentle
man.
The magician met him at the stage door
and led him down into a little dressing
room under the stage. What happened
next 1 cannot tell. do know that the pro-
fessor spent some time in instructing the
little Chnanan how to disappear from the
iron box, but, of course, 1 have no more
idea of how the trick is done than has the
man in the moon. Even Vim Foo himself
could not explain it afterward,
Next the professor, leaving Vim Foo in
the dressing room, went up to the stage to
instruct the other boy in the part that he
was to play.
ut isn't necessary that the two boys see
each other" said the magician to himself.
I'm fact. it will be best to keep them apart
until after the performance
Wise professor!
Well, the performance opened. The thea
ter was crowded. Professor Kelmann re-
ceived an ovation when he first appeared on
the stage. He first proceeded to entertain
the audience with his surprising sleight-of-
hand tricks, and afterward performed his
more difficult and more wonderful mechan-
zeal illusions.
Last of all came the great iron-box mys-
terry.
Ladies and gentlemen" the professor
announced as the iron box was brought on
the stage, ION account of the serious illness
of my little Persian maid who usually APP
pears at this part of the programme, l in
tend tonight to introduce in her stead
little Chinaman whom L picked up this
morning in Chinatown. You will find that
he is just as good as the Persian girl when
it comes to disappearing"
Little Vim Foo was then ushered before
the audience. He seemed a trife scared,
but managed to bear up bravely considering
that this was the little chaps debut before
the footlights.
The professor placed him in the heavy
iron box and double locked the lid which
covered it.
"A little magic music please, Mr.. Lead
err" said the magician to the orchestra di-
rector.
The orchestra Immediately began playing
a wild, weird Oriental dance.
One-two-three-and away" cried the
professor, and then turning to the audience
in sham excitement, he pointed toward the
rear of the theater, shouting
Did you see him fly over your heads?
Did you see him go? Did you see him go?
He's gone! He's gone, / tell you See!" and
he opened the box quickly, disclosing its
empty interior.
"Ah, here comes my little Chinese nowr'
exclaimed the professor, glancing over the
heads of the audience. And, sure enough,
as he spoke the words, little Chinese boy
to all appearances the very same youngster
who had been locked up in the iron box an
instant before, came running down the CEN
ter aisle of the auditorium toward the
stage
A burst of applause arose from the de-
lighted audience. 1t was Immediately fol-
lowed by a single yell of joy and astonish-
ment. Vim Foo, from his hiding place be-
hind one of the wings, had caught sight of
the other boy and had recognized him!
Forgetting all about the professors in
structions to keep himself concealed, Vim
Foo rushed on to the stage, and, as the
other Chinese boy scrambled up over the
footlights, he caught the newcomer by the
end of his queue and held on like grim
death. Then, with one hand outstretched
| as if appealing to the audience to bear him
witness, he shouted with all the power of
his little Oriental lungs:
"Savy! This boy him lost! Him Sing
Wee-my Vim Foo! My find him. My
gettem two bittee!'
Tableau
The poor professor turned first white
then red, and would have fallen had he not
clutched one of the wings for support.
The audience-but perhaps it would be
| best to drop the curtain upon the uproari-
Gus scene that followed.
That's what the professor did.