The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-05-25
THE CONJURER.

he was only poor little Frenchman,
chief land onn) prestidigitateur, conjurer
and sleight of hand artist at "Montmoren-
cts wonderful, world renowned circus"
Still, 1t was rather impudent of him, a
sallow little man of 50 to fall in love with
pretty Nellie Waring, the principal bare
back rider. Poor Nellie told him 1t could
not be
Besides" she said, there's Jack, you
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 for
Nellie and throw bouquets to her every
night Neither she nor Jack took any no.
tice of this at first, but ono evening, when
the bouquet contained IA 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.
ceived the only advice tho poor little man
could think of giving-to challenge tho
fellow to duel. This. Jack explained,
was impossible I'm England, but said that
and asked his friend to accompany him to
the place next day and watch the per.
formance"
Jack approached to where Haycraft was
standing, and asked him 'if the note
was his writing" He received the defiant
request to mihd his own business.
Jack answered this by tearing the letter
up and hinging the pieces in his adver-
e.. ha tpll IA, en-, ki -
hands up, If he were man. "
Haycraft was no coward, but he know
he was no match for Jack, so he stepped
back q pace or two and drew a revolver
Jack sprang at him with his fist clenched
and grasped the revolver. There was a
short struggle, during which they fell to-
gether OF the ground. Then there was u
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 n time
1t was to the effect that Haycraft had
sworn that Jack Thornhill had shot him
and that warrant was out for his arrest
for attempted murder.
just before the Panjandrum' s show and it
was while the former was taking place
that the little man noticed among the au-
dience one night, with his eyes fixed 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 somo
small change i'm his tricks for that night
Hn nctan int IN han rar, "a nd w c -
ed with the customary applause, for he
was a great favorite with the audiene.
Ladies and gentlemen, tonight l have
&c honor to present to your notice trique
which is new, all entirely. was make 20
omelet cook in 20 seek 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, "he will be so good as to assist
of me.
II borrow your seelk 'at, sare," the lit
tie man went on, taking the hat from the
Inspectors head with flourish, "and
breaks zese 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
times on the breast, where he heard the
rustling of paper Then he proceeded To
break the shells ard let the yolk fall into
the hat, amid roars of laughter at its own.
er's disconsolate face
Now you must cook 'em, but l not
hurt re at. / take zese two pieces Of pa.
paire, which no produced very quickly
and apparently from nowhere, "and
light zem-so. Now you must hold zem
under 20 'at till they are quite burnt cut. "
The inspector took the paper as directed,
and held 1t at some distance under the
hat till the last portion was consumed,
when the Panjandrum, after few passe.
and some cabalistic words produeed the
omelet In dexterous manner and show.
ed the hat uninjured.
While the audience was clearing out OF
the theater, the inspector remained stand
ing in the arena, when he turned round to
Montmorenci and said
Now, look here don't wish to be nm
pleasant at all, but I've got my duty to
perform, and 1t must be done. There's 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
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. have warrant signed by
a magistrate
He put his hand into his breast pocket;
then he turned pale and hastily felt i'm the
other ones, and, oblivious Of the presence
of the lady artistes, he used bad word.
i've lost 1t, he burst out.
Before a new warrant could bo obtained
Haycraft had relented and confessed that
he had shot himself by accident.
Six months afterward, when Jack and
Nellie had been married, the world re
DOwned circus and entertainment came &c
Barchester again and the inspector came
to spend "a friendly evening with the com