Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1900-07-05
STORIES OF COIN c1DENcEs.
A Number That Account for some
Things That Seem to BE EN-.
tirely Inexplicable.

A NUMBER That Account for Some
Things That Seem to BE En-
tirely Inexplicable.
Luck and coincidence explain away
many a mystery said one of group
OF late workers in a Royal street cafe
the other night, relates the New Or
leans Times-Democrat. 81 remember
a queer story along that line,' he con-
tlnued, which I once heard from the
elder Herrmann. In his earlier per-
formances, as you may recall, hesmade
"a great ature of a very clever Sec
ond call, or mind-reading act. He
would request people in the audience
to select small articles, which would
then be described by blindfolded
assistant on the stage. AS a matter
OF tact, Hermann really gave the cue
to the descriptions in the way he
framed his questions, but it was very
deNterously done and not one person
out of a thousand caught on
.''One evening, as he told me the
story, he was giving an entertain
ments in an Ohio city. and was. just
return1lingg to the stage after the mind
reading specially, when an elderly
man suddenly jumped up at the other
Eend of the house. IF this thing is
genuine,,' he called out in a loud voice,
I want you to tell me what card I
am thinking about at this moment
The man3was, a wealthy merchant and
known as somewhat of a crank on
| spiritualism. Of course, Hermann
had no idea what he was thinking
about, but he replied without hesita-
ton: 1T is the deuce of clubs,' his
intention being to turn the laugh
on the old fellow by some bit of repair
tee when he declared that the guess
was wrong. But, to the magician's
| intense amazement, the man raised
both hands in the air and beloved:
Correct! by thunder!' This miracu-
lousy lucky and wholly unexpected
hit made a profound impression on
! the audience and no doubt concerted
many people to a belief in the re-
atty Of mind-reading. hermann told
me that the proprietor of the theater,
who was an old personal friend, was
very curious to know how the thing
was done, and when he was finally
informed in confidence that it: was
mere luck he declined to credit the
explanation. It was too simple to suit
him. E#
"Coincidences certainly do play an
important role in everyday life," COM
mented another in the party, sand I
dare say they have been the pivot on
which many an event of the first mag.
nitude has turned. One case of the
kind came under my personal observa-
| ton when I first Went into business
| in New Orleans. At that time there
was a large mercantile house, locat ted
on the same block, that did an ex-
tensive business with planters up the
| river. AS usual in that trade, they
operated on credit basis, and oc-
casionally they carried some formid-
able accounts. The largest of these
at the period of which I speak was
against planter who had formerly
been very prompt pay. but who had
latterly pleaded bad luck and allowed
the majority of his bills to run. over
for several seasons. The firm believed
him to be good, and although the
amount involved mounted away up
into the thousands they decided not
to press him, in full confidence that
the money would ultimately be paid.
"One day the planter came to New
Orleans on some business, and while
No CO.. so - r.
firm CHANGED to go over to a notary's
office to get an acknowledgment on
some legal papers. AS he entered the
office he overheard one of the clerks
in an adjoining room ask another
whether he had completed that
plantation transfer to Col. IS
mother. lou know he wants to take
it with him when, he goes home to-
night he added. Col. - was the
delinquent debtor, and the accidental
remark was, like the revelation of
flash of lightning on dark night.
The merchant said nothing, butstrans-
acted his own business as speedily as
possible and hurried back. Then he
wired his local attorney to institute
proceedings, and when the planter ar
rived home he found everything tied
up with ian attachment. He was
forced to make settlement in full,
and doesn't know to this day how
his plans We're so suddenly checkmat-
ed. Five seconds sooner or later in
that visit to the notary's would have
made "a difference. of many thousands
of dollars to the firm So
IT think can tie that story my
SELF" said one. Of the party. 'Do you
remember the recent death of Lewis
Redwine, a noted bank defaulter Of
Atlanta, Ga, whose case created an
immense sensation some years ago?
|. Well, s5when he. was placed on trial
aRedWine maintained a stubborn si-
Elence,A and he was convicted and Sen.
fenced to fves years in the federal
penitentiary at Columbus,@O.N It. was
generally believed that he would
break down when he actually started
for, prison and implicate some people
who stood high socially, and the pa