The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1900-06-14
STORIES OF CONDOLENCES,

Luck and coincidence explain away
many q mystery" said one OF a group OF
late workers in a Royal street cafe the
other night. to a New Orleans Times Dem
ocrat writer. II remember a queer story
along that line," he continued, which l
once heard from the elder Hermann. In
his earlier performances he made a great
feature of mind-reading act. He would
request people in the audience to select
small articles, which would then be de-
scribed by a blind-folded assistant on the
stage. AS matter Of fact, Hermann real
ly gave the cue to the descriptions in the
way he framed his questions.
Zone evening he was giving an entertain
ment in an Ohio city and was just returning
to the stage after the mind-reading spe-
cialty when an elderly man suddenly Jumped
up at the other end OF the house. II this
thing is genuine he called out, I want
you to tell me what card / am thinking Of
at this moment OF course, Hermann had
no idea what he was thinking about, but
he replied without q moments hesitation.
1t is the deuce Of clubs his intention be-
ing to turn the laugh on the old fellow
by some bit Of repartee when he declared
that the guess was wrong. But to the
magician's amazement the man raised both
hands in the air and beloved, Correct! by
thunder!' Hermann told me that the pro-
prietor of the theater was very curious
to know how the thing was done, and when
ne was Uually 1uIOTueu III confluence LQ0L
1t was mere luck he declined to credit the
explanation. 1t was too simple to suit
him"
"Conincidences certainly do play an Inn
portant role In everyday life," commented
another In the party. Zone case Of the kind
came under my personal observation when
I first went into business in New Orleans.
At that time there was large mercantile
house located in the same block that did
an extensive business with planters up the
river. AS usual, in that trade, they -operat-
ed on credit basis and occasionally they
carried some formidable accounts. The
largest Of these at the period Of which
speak was against planter who had for
merly been very prompt pay, but who had
laterly pleaded bad luck and allowed the ma
jorfty Of his bills to run over for several
seasons.
Zone day the planter came to New Orleans
on some business, and while he was still
in town member Of the firm CHANGED to
go over to a notarys Office to get an ac-
knowledgement on some legal papers. As
he entered the Office he overheard one Of
the clerks In an adjoining room ask an
other whether he had completed that plant
alton transfer to Colonel IS mother. You
know he wants to take it with him when
he goes home tonight he added. Col -
was the delinquent debtor, and the acci-
dental remark was like the revelation of
a flash of lightning on a dark night The
merchant said nothing, but transacted his
own business as speedily as possible and
hurried back. Then he wired his local at
torney to institute proceedings, and when
the planter arrived home he found every
thing tied up with an attachment. He was
forced to make q settlement In full and
doesn't know to this day how his plans
were SO suddenly checkmated. Five seconds
sooner or later in that visit to the notary's
would have made q difference Of many thou
sands Of dollars to the firm