The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-01-06
THE CORPORATIONS
WERE ALL TOO EASY
mo TRICK TO FOOL THEM"
SAYS GOLDIN.
An Illustration of How to Beat the
Unbeatable Given by the
Magician.

A short, stout, clean-shaven youth, with
a Senatorial candidate smile and a large
crowd of men and boys at his heels, i'm
peded traffic on Market street for two
hours yesterday afternoon. The center of
attraction was Horace Goldin, the magi-
clan, and his following was picked up
from the various stores where he had been
shopping.
II want some collar buttons" said Gold
in to clerk in one of the jewelry stores.
Tray after tray was brought down for
inspection, but the illusionist could find
nothing that satisfied him. He swallowed
buttons by the score, drew them from the
pockets of the spectators, the ears Of the
clerk and the bottoms of the trays, until
the bewildered proprietor gave up in dis
gust.
What kind of buttons do you user" he
inquired.
well, you see. drink so much water
that my collar-b buttons rust, and 1 want
some that won't give me blood poison
ing"
A few minutes later the wizard was
lined up in front of the Pullman office
window in the Southern Pacific ticket
What is the cost of a berth to Los
Angeles" he asked.
Two fifty" replied the clerk.
why didn't you say five dollars" quer-
led Goldin. I'D beat you down to three
and think | had a bargain.
Two fifty, answered the clerk, with a
%Wiil you, take five ssslf-dollars?"
five. Is that correct?''
Correct" said the clerk, sweeping the
money into his hand.
Pardon me- interrupted Goldin,
Maybe your company is poor and you
need the money. You had better count 1t
again"
half-doiar short. He blushed and
stretched out his hand for the extra four
bit piece Goldin placed it in his hand
and asked him to close his fingers over the
coin TO make sure it did not slip away.
When the astonished clerk opened his
hand he found an old English "enny in
his palm. By this time an interested
crowd of spectators had gathered about
the wicket.
They warned me to be careful of these
railway officials, continued the magician.
but l never thought this messenger boy
would hold me up So" and making pass
at the astonished messenger Goldin pulled
halves, dollars. 1ves, tens and twenties
from the astonished boys clothing until
the lad rushed behind the railing Toss
ing a half-dollar to the clerk Goldin walk
ed out, remarking as he passed through
the door: 1T amt so much of much
ness to fool the Southern Pacific"
Wells-Fargos express office was next
visited. There Goldin purchased money
order, placing three five-dollar pieces on
the counter L he ClcIh WIOle Oul the Vi
der handed it to Goldin and was about
to drop the coin into the drawer when he
discovered to his establishment that three
/ copper pennies had been substituted for
the gold. The magician took the pen
MES in one hand. rubbed them with his
thumb and handed them back to the
clerk with the remark that they were
genuine ''fves' The employee blinked his
! eyes and apologized. Goldin picked up his
! money order. quickly tore in half and
/ the halves into quarters before the clerk
gasped out You have ruined your order,
/ man. I'll have to cancel the stub and
/ give you another"
whats the matter with this?" asked
/ Golden. Amt 1t all right? Just little
! crumpled; that's ALL" and he smoothed
/ out the order intact.
"These corporations are too easy alto
| gether," concluded the magician. Il
/ think I'll go to Sacramento and get job
handing out gold bricks to the office
/ seekers"