The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-01-09
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THURSDAY......JANUARY 9 1902
A CONJURER'S TRICK

| OF uItN, 10 IAN III love WIN pretty MI
lie Waring. the principal bareback rid
er. Poor Nellie told him 1t could not
be.
Besides" she said. there's lack
you know"
Jack Thornhill was the big, hand
some trapeze artist.
There was one man named Haycraft.
who came regularly every night. lie
used to leave boxes OF sweets at the
door for Nellie aud throw bouquets 70
her every night. Neither she nor Jack
took any notice of this at first. but one
evening, when the bouquet contained
a bracelet set with pearls and note
asking for meeting al an appointed
place. Jack got wild.
Jack consulted with the PanJandrum
as 20 what he should do and promptly
received the only advice the poor little
man could think OF giving-to challenge
| the fellow 10 Il duel This Jack ex-
| planned. was impossible. hut said that
the next best thing would be thrash
ing and asked his friend To accompany
| him to the place next day and watch
the performance.
| Jack approached Ia where liaycraft
! was standing and asked him IF the
note was his writing" He received
the defiant request TO mind his own
| business.
Haycraft was no coward. but he
knew he was no match for Jack. so he
| stepped back n pace or two and drew
| revolver.
Jack sprang at him with his fist
clInched and grasped the revolver
There was short struggle. during
which they fell together on the ground.
Then there was report and then Jack
rose, breathless. leaving his opponent
lying still and motionleSs. with the re-
volver clutched in his hand.
A very ugly rumor began 10 gain
ground among the company. and all
advised Jack to clear out OF the neigh
borhood for time II was to the CT
feet that Haycraft had sworn that Jack
Thornhll had shot him aud that
warrant was out for his arrest for Mt
tempted murder.
Jacks appearance on the trapeze was
Just before the Panjandrum's show
and II was while the former was TAX
Ing place that the little man noticed
among the audience one night. with
his eyes fixed intently on Jack. burly
inspector whom be had seen several
times In the town.
He stepped into the arena and was
greeted with the customary applause.
for he was a great favOrite with the
audience.
Ladies and gentleme-, tonight |
have re honor TO present to your notice
a trique which is new. all entirely.
was make re Omelet cook In re seek
at. eef any gentleman shall be 80
good as to lend him me. All. re gentle
man zere." and walking up to the 10.
spectOr and leading him, not unwilling
". into the arena amid roar of laugh
ter "he will be SO good as to assist Of
me.
81 borrow your seek at. sare.' the
little man went on. taking the hat from
the inspectors head with flourish.
land | breaks zese two eggs In him As
you see"
He produced the two eggs, appart NJ
! " from the victims breast pocket. Ills
eyes sparkled strangely as be went on.
tapping the inspector knowingly two
fha hroaCf " hprn he
heard the rustllng of paper. Then be
proceeded to break the shells and let
! the yolks fall into the hat. amid roars
Of laughter at its owners disconsolate
face.
Now you must cook 'em, but not
hurt re at. | take zese two pieces Of
papaire." which he produced very
quickly and apparently from nowhere.
"and light zem-so Now you must
hold zem under re at till they are
quite burnt out
The Inspector took the paper as dl-
rected and held il at some distance un.
der the hat till the last portion was
consumed. when the Panjandrum, aft
er few passes and some cabalistic
words, produced the omelet In dex-
| ferrous manner and showed the hat un-
| injured.
While the audience was clearing out
| Of the theater the inspector remained
standing in the arena. when he turned
| round to Montmorenci and said:
"Now, look here. don't wish to be
L NJ oil opA Two cot my dlttv
| to perform. and 1t must be done.
| There's one of you people wanted for
| attempted murder. and want TO take
him away now. It's Jack Thornhiil."
The Panjandrum. now quietly smOk-
Ing a cigarette, stepped into the mid
| die Of the group and said:
perhaps the gentleman. before be
takes our friend away. will ten MS his
| authority for doing So"
Certainly. have warrant signed
| by magistrate
He put his hand into his breast pock
| ct: then he turned pale and hastily felt
| In the other ones, and. oblivious OF the
presence of the lady artistes, he used
a bad word. 1--WE lost IT," he burst
| out.
Before new warrant could be Oh
tanned Haycraft had relented and con
| fessed that he had shot himself by ac
1 cident
| Six months afterward when Jack
and Nellie had been married, the world
renowned circus and entertainment
came to town again, and the inspector
came to spend friendly evening with
the company.
In the course of conversation be ask
ed the Panjandrum II he could imag-
Inc what had become OF the warrants
on that night, whereupon the little
Frenchman. with shrug Of his shout
ders and q wink at his friends. an
| swered:
"You used them to cook the omeletr'
4 nrx.