Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1900-08-23
STORIES OF CONDOLENCES.
A Number That Account for some
Things That Seem TO ne En-
tirsly InexpiieabIe.


Luck and coincideuee explain away |
many a mystefy,' said one OF n group |
Of late workers in a Royal street cafe |
the other night, relates the New Or |
leans Times-Democrat. II remember |
q queer story along that line" he con- |
tinued, (which once heard from the !
elder Hermann. In his earlier per
formances, as you may recall. he made
n great feature OF a very clever sec
ond CALL OF mind-reading act. He
would request people In the audience
TO select ANAL articles, which would
then be described by blindfolded
assistant on the stage. As matter
Of fact, Hermann really gave the cue
70 the descriptions In the way he
framed his questions, but Il was very
dexterously done and not one person
out Of thousand caught on
''0ne evening. as he told me the
story, he was giving an entertain
ment IN an Ohio city and was Just
returning TO the stage after the mind
reading speciality. when an elderly
man suddenly jumped up at the other
~
genuine he called out In q loud voice,
4 want you 20 tell me what card
am thinking about at this moment
The man was q 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-
tioni 1T is the deuce OF elubs,' his
intention being 20 turn the laugh
on the old fellow by some bit Of repar-
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;
Torrectl by thunderl' This miracu-
lously lucky and wholly unexpected
hit made a profound impression on
the audience and no doubt converted
many people 20 a belief In the re-
atty Of uind-reading. Hermann told
me that the proprietor OF the theater,
who was an old personal friend, was
very curious 20 know how the thing
was done, and when he was finally
informed IN confidence that II was
mere luck he declined 20 credit the
explanation. Il was too simple 20 ruii
him."
"Colncidences certainly do play an
importsnt role In everyday life" com
mented another In the party. "and ]
dare say they have been the pivot on
which r.any an event OF the first mag
nitude has turned. One csse Of the
kind came under my personal observe
tion when / first went into business
IN New Orleans. Al that time there
was large mercantile house, located
ON the same block, that dic an ex'
tensive business with planters up the
river. AZ usual IN that trade, they
operated on a credit basis, and 90
easionaily they carried some formid
able aecounts. The largest OF thes'
az the period OF which speak wal
against planter who had formerly
been very prompt pay, but who hat
latterly pleaded bad luck and allowed
the majority OF his bills to run ovel
for several seanons. The firm believed
him 70 be good, and although III
amount involved mounted away ~
into the thousands they decided no
70 preus him. IN fun confidence tha
the money would ultimately be paid,
"Ono day the planter came "a New
Orleans on some business, and Will
he Wan nti1 In town mepiho7 Of ~
arm CHANGED % 70 over 70 notefy'