The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-06-07
THE CONJURER.

chief land only prestidigitateur, conjurel
and sleight of hand artist at "Montmoren
els wonderful, world renowned circus.
Still, it was rather impudent of him, ,
sallow little man Of so, TO fall In love with
pretty Nellie Waring, the principal bare
back rider. Poor Nellie told him 1t coulC
not be.
Besides" she said, there's Jack, yor
know"
Jack Thornhill was the big, handsome
trapeze artist.
There was one man named Haycraft
who came regularly every night. He used
TO leave boxes of sweets at the door fol
Nellie and throw bouquets to her every
night Neither she nor Jack took any no
tice of this at first, but one evening, when
the bouquet contained a bracelet set with
pearls and note asking for meeting at
an appointed place. Jack got wild.
Jack consulted with the Panjandrum as
to what he should do, and promptly re.
oeived the only advice the poor little man
could think of giving-to challenge the
fellow to duel. This. Jack explained,
was impossible in England, but said that
the next best thing would be thrashing,
and asked his friend to accompany him to
the place next day and watch the per-
formance.
Jack approached to where Hayoraft was
standing, and asked him "if the note
was his writing" He received the defiant
request to mind his own business.
Jack answered this by tearing the letter
up and fiinging the pieces in his adver
sary's face, Then he told him to put his
hands up, If he were man"
Haycraft was no coward, but he knew
he was no match for Jack, so he stepped
back pace or two and drew revolver.
Jack sprang at him with his fist clenched
and grasped the revolver. There was a
short struggle, during which they fell to-
gether on the ground Then there was a
report, and then Jack rose, breathless,
leaving his opponent lying still and mo-
tionless with the revolver clutched in his
hand.
A very ugly rumor began to gain ground
among the company, and all advised Jack
to clear out Of the neighborhood for u time
1t was to the effect that Hayoraft had
sworn that Jack Thornhill had shot him
and that a warrant was out for his arrest
for attempted murder.
Jacks appearance on the trapeze was
just before the Papjandrum q show and 1t
was while the former was taking place
that the little man noticed among the au-
dionoe one night, with his eyes f1ed in
tently on Jack, burly inspector, whom
he had seen several times In the town.
He at once went to Montmorenci and
told him that he intended making some
small change in his tricks for that night.
He stepped into the arena and was greet
ed with the customary applause, for he
was great fayorite with the audiene.
Ladies' and gentlemen, tonight l have
ge honor to present to your notice a trique
which is new, oil entirely. I was make 70
omelet cook in ze seelk at, eef any gen
tleman shall be SO good as to lend him me.
All, 20 gentleman zere. !" and walking up
to the inspector and leading him, not un-
willingly, into the arena amid roar of
laughter, she will be SO good as to assist
Of me-
81 borrow your seelk at sare," the lit
tie man went on, taking the hat from the
Inspectors head with q flourish, land I
breaks zesc two eggs in him as you see"
He produced the two eggs, apparently
from the victims breast pocket. His eyes
sparkled strangely as he went on, tapping
the inspector knowingly two or three
times on the breast, where he heard the
rustling of paper. Then he proceeded to
break tho shells and let the yolk fall into
the hat amid roars Of laughter at Its own
er's disconsolato face.
"Now you must cook 'em, but l not
bat tnI- 30
paire," which he produced very quickly
and apparently from nowhere, "and
light zem-so. Now you must hold zem
under 2e at till they are quito burnt out. "
The inspector took the paper as directed,
and held it at some distance under the
hat till the last portion was consumed,
when the Panjandrum after Il few passes
and some osbalistic words, produced the
omolet in dexterOus manner and show
ed tho hat uninjured.
While the audience wAs clearing ont Of
tho thcater, the inspector remained stand
ing In the arena, when he turned round to
MontmOrenCi and said;
SHOW, look here, don't { wish to be un-
pleasant ut all, but I've got my duty to
perform, and it must be done. There one
of you people wanted for attempted mur-
der and | want to take him away now.
It's Jack Thornhill,
The Panjandrum, now quietly smoking
a cigarette, stepped into the middle of the
group and said:
perhaps the gentleman, before he takes
our friend away, will tell us his authority
for doing So ="
Certainly, l have warrant signed by
magistrate"
He put his hand into his breast pocket;
then he turned pale and hastily felt in tho
other pnes, and, oblivious Of the presence
of the lady artistes, ho used q bad word,
"1ve lost 1t, " he burst out,
Before q new warrant could bo obtained
HayCraft had relented and confessed that
ho had shot himself by accident
Six months afterward, when Jack and
Nellie had been married, the world re-
nowned circus and entertainment came to
Barchester again and tho Inspector came
to spend friendly evening with the com.
rany.
In tho course Of conversation be asked
the Panjapdrum ii ho could Imagine what
had become Of the warrants on that night,
whereupon the little Frcnchman, with
shrug of his shoulders and wink at his
friends, answered
'You used them to cook the omelot. -
London News.