Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-08-13
STRANGE CONDOLENCES.
SIMPLE EXPLANATIONS OF THINGS
THAT SEEMED INEXPLIcABLE.

Attached n Plantation-A Telephone
Helps Out a Newspaper Man.
"Luck and coincidence explain away
many mystery" said one of a group
of late workers the other night II
remember a queer story along that
line" he continued, (which l once
heard from the elder Hermann. In
his earlier performances, as you may
recall, he made great feature of a
very clever second CALL or mind-read-
ing act. He would request people IN
the audience to select small articles
which would then be described by a
blindfolded assistant on the stage. AS
a matter of fact, Hermann really
gave the cue to the descriptions in the
way he framed his questions, but it
was very deXtrously done and not one
person out of thousand caught on
"One evening, as he told me the
story. he was giving an entertainment
in an Ohio city and was just return
ing to the stage after the mind-reading
speciality, when an elderly man sud-
denly jumped up at the other end of
the house. If this thing is genuine
he called out in loud voice, L want
you to tell me what card l am think
ing about at this moment The man
was wealthy merchant and known
as somewhat of n crank ON spiritual
ism. OF course, Hermann had no
idea what he was thinking about, but
he replied without hesitation: 1T is
the deuce of clubs his intention being
to turn the laugh on the old fellow
by some bit of repartee when he de-
clared that the guess was wrong. But,
to the magician's intense amazement,
the man raised both hands in the air
and beloved, Correct. by thunderr
This miraculously lucky and wholly
unexpected hit made a profound I'M
preston on the audience and no doubt
converted many people to a belief in
the reality Of mind reading. Herr
mann 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. 1t was too simple to
suit him."
Condolences certainly do play an
important role in everyday life" COM
mented another in the party, 'and
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 first went into business in
New Orleans. At that time there was
large mercantile house, located on
the same block, that did an extensive
business with planters up the river.
AS usual, in that trade. they operated
on credit basis, and ocasionallly they
carried some formidable accounts.
The largest of these at the period cf
which l speak was against a 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 mount
ed away up into the thousands they
decided not to press him, in full con-
fidence that the money would ulti-
mately be paid.
"One day the planter came to New
Orleans on some business, and while
he was still in town a member of the
firm CHANGED to go over to notary's
office to get an acknowledgement of
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 plant
alton transfer to Col. 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 accidental remark was
like the revelation of a flash of light
ming 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
attorney to institute proceedings, and
when the planter arrived home he
found everything tied up with an at
tachment. He was forced to make
a settlement in full, and doesn't know
to this day how his plans We're so
suddenly checkmated. Five seconds
sooner or later in that visit to the
notarys would have made a difference
of many thousands of dollars to the
firm
II think I can tie that story my
self" said one Of the party. DO you
remember the recent death of Lewis
Redwine, noted bank defaulter of
Atlanta, Ga, whose case created an
immense sensation some years ago?
We'll, when he was placed on trial,
Redwine maintained n stubborn ST.
lence, and he was convicted and SEN
fenced to five years in the Federal
Penetentiary at Columbus, Ohio. 1t
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
pers decided to send reporters with
him to the train. For some reason
the authorities didn't approve of the
plan and arranged to slip him out