The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-17
WRITTEN BY Al. KEnEALY

GROWING achievement. Miss Fothergill
summoned her ayah and ordered her to
fan her with a great palm leaf fan,
pleading that she was oppressed by the
heat. This was singular, as a cool sea
breeze was blowing. But then, who can
comprehend the vagaries of womankind?
The magician informed the interpreter
that he required the services of a small
boy, in order that the spell might work
correctly, and begged that The Sahib should
select one, SO that there might be no
suspicion Of collision.
There is no dearth of small boys in an
Indian village, and Miss Fothergill sent
a servant for one of her brightest schol-
crs. While waiting for the boy the jug
slcr muttered some weird kind of incan-
tation to the accompaniment Of the tom
toms.
The boy came-an intelligent lad of
about eleven-and the Seance began The
Magician wrote several words on a sheet
of paper, which he tore into seven pieces
These scraps he placed in d brass lota
or bowl, together with small piece of
cashrificial ghee, some incense such as is
used for the making of joss-sticks and a
little coriander seed. Then he made the
boy squat on his launches and on the
palm of his right hand he drew a square
and in the hollow of the palm he poured
a drak fluid from a silver flask, telling
the boy to be careful and not spill any
of it. Next he set fire to the scraps of
paper in the bowl and as the fumes arose
the wizard continued his lamentations in
a language which the interpreter con-
fessed he did not understand.
'Noy, boy, look steadfastly on the
black water in your hand. Do you see
anything?"
The boy replied that ne saw nothing. &
Then followed the BURNING of more IN
cense and further muttering on the part
of the wizard.
oracle" said the pastor to Miss Fother-
gill.
IT see a man on horseback waving 4
red flag" exclaimed the boy. evidently
excited and alarmed ct should be
borne in mind that every word uttered
was at once translated to the audience
by the interpreter)
THE charm is now complete said the
wizard. "Does the Sahib desire the boy
to see anybody dead or far away?
II yielded precedence to the church,
politely replied Mr.. Fothersill. Now,
Mr.. Simpson, here's the opportunity OF
Your life to pry into the supernatural.
I'll follow you.
The pastor hesitated. but an encouraS-
ing word and smile from Miss Fothers1ll
spurred him on. Mr.. Simpson belonged
10 Ine InduCHeSleT SCIlOOl- k'Oh1iSo. -
had two idols-Charles Spurgeon, the
preacher, and John Bright the orator.
Meier of these is familiar figure In
Bimipatam. Through the Interpreter he
told the wizard to summon John Bright,
thinking to have a hearty laugh at the
expense of the juggler.
The boy at the wizards command said
to the man on horseback, whose retiec-
ton was imaged in his hand: Ny mas
ter commands you to bring before my
eyes Jonn Bright. SO that may see him
plainly as I see you
He has gone" said the boy and an
other has come, a big man with a big
head, a round face. with a short. white.
beard under his chin. His coat is black
and on his head is a large black hat.
like Simmons sahib wears when he goes
to church, only the rim wider. =
This would pass very we'll for a crude
description OF the Quaker statesman from
the Viewpoint Of small native boy. At
any rate it surprised the worthy pastor.
though he tried to pass it off as an ABB
surdity
The Master Attendant was next. At
that time the TEchborne claimant was
very much IN the public eye So he hap