Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1905-04-29

from the nrSt. the whole thing was 700
real to be doubted.
Everywhere our success was enormous
crowded houses, no more accomplices,
all genuine, except the clairvoyance, in
which there was still a good deal of
humbug; but that humbug she and l
could manage together without other as
sistance than that Of pianist.
Never was such a change seen rs l
wrought in less than a week in both
father and daughter. A good suit of
clothes gave him quite an air of respec-
liability. and taken away from old asso-
Citations, he became comparatively re-
formed in his habits. In the girl. the
change was still more remarkable. No
one could possibly have recognized in
the neatly dressed, scrupulously clean
Sigpora Zenobia the ragged, slovenly .Ju-
dith Stokes Of few days back. For my
part, | stood in awe Of those terrible
eyes, and she grew as proud and haugh-
ty as a duchess.
For two years we Travelled the coun-
try pretty comfortably together and dur
ing all that time Judith scarcely ever
made failure. In the meantime, old
Stokes was growing Disconnected
considered that he was too much kept
in the background. The strangest thing
of all was that he took to religious
books, and to attending the meeting
houses. by and by he used to disap-
pear regularly every Sunday for the
whole day. At last l discovered his Sc
cret. He would go few miles away
from the town where we were exhibit
ing, and do a little open-air preaching
to the rustics. Things were becoming
very unsatisfactory; even the girl seem
ed getting weary of her work, and | was
beginning to think that it would be bet
ter to turn the whole affair up and start
something else, than to put up with the
airs of people whom l had picked out
of the gutter when my thought was an
ticipated sooner than I counted upon.
I'VE were exhibiting at Spalding one
night to a very bad house, and just as
Judith was in the middle of her perform
ance-a young fellow was upon the pat
form, answering questions in the mes
merle sleep-two or three swells strolled
into the front seats. They were highly
amused at the manner in which the fell
low seemed compelled TO answer all kinds
of absurd questions; evidently regarding
the whole thing. however, as a SELL As
soon as the yokel was dismissed, one
of the party, in spite of the remon-
strances of his companions rose from his
scat, and bounding upon the platform,
expressed a wish to be mesmerized. The
event caused a great connection in the
room. as he and his companions were
known to he gentlemen of position. At
the first glance Judith could perceive
that he was one of those strong-willed
beings over whom she could exercise no
influence. She declined. He insisted.
and declared the whole thing was a
swindle. The people began to hiss. not
him, but us.
1 cannot mesmerize you, but l can
your friend there said Judith, point
ing to the dark-eyed weall-looking young
man who had accompanied him.
He objected; but his companion cried
out, But you SHALL Jack. No, hang it!
fair play for Zenobial We have called
her an impostor, and we will give her a
chance
He jumped down off the platform,
and whispered to Jack, as he called
him, but not in so low a tone but what
| could catch the words, Go up-don t
be a fool; she can no more mesmerize
you than she can me. 1t is only a put
off, thinking the challenge won't be ac-
cepted.'
Very reluctantly the young man
mounted the platform and took the chair
indicated by Zenobia, very much to the
delight of his friends, who clapped their
hands. shouted Bravo and laughed up
roariously.
judith, who always had the temper
Of fiend, was boiling with passion at
the ridicule cast upon her. but her rage
was manifested by no word or sign, only
by her livid face, and by those awful
eyes, that looked for all the world like
some brilliant metallic surface, upon
which a strong light was shining. She
cast one disdainful glance round the
room. which had the effect of partly sub.
DUNG the uproar and set herself to heI
task.
I'm two minutes he was as rigid as q
corpse and as helpless as a child. The
expression of her eyes was something
fearful; the whole audience, including
even his companions, were hushed irtC
silence: even l shuddered as | looked al
her. She used her power mercilessly
asking him questions of the most sacred
nature. to all of which he replied undis
guisedly. The moment her eyes were
off him, the young fellow fell down il
strong commissions.
"There was an awful CONSERVATION il
the room. People rushed upon the plat
form to tender their assistance. judith
stood aloof, leaning upon the Piano
gloating Indignantly over her work
Well. as soon as he recovered they pur
him into a cab and sent him home, one OF
his companions accompanying. But tn,
challenger, who had caused the commo
ton, remained behind until all the PEG
pie were dispersed, and then walked