The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-10-31
Stories ofGrand Forks

Cleary Monley of this city. familiar
ly known rs "Quiller." is an expert
sleight-of-hand performer. His clever
tricks are more interesting than those
OF the average professional on the vau-
deville stage. but Quill" employs them
only for the amusement of himself
and friends. Yesterday morning he
was the center of group in the lobby
Of the Dacotah hotel, and was showing
his abilities along this particular line.
greatly to the amusement and mystifi-
cation of the crowd.
One individual suggested that fur
Their amusement could be had by plac-
in Mr.. Monley among strangers in the
dining room at lunch, and then getting
him started on some of his tricks. The
others agreed that this would offer an
entertaining diversion, and 1t was ac-
cOrdingly arranged that the postmast-
er should sit ut q table where the 9TH
ers were unknown to him personally.
The lunch hour came, and those who
were on the plot grouped about on
other table near that Of Mr.. Monley,
who took his seat quietly and ordered
his meal. The watchers saw nothing
unusual happen until MIR. Monley be-
gan eating. He picked up roll and
began nibbling at its end. Suddenly a
frown appeared upon his face, and
from his actions 1t became evident that
he had bitten on something hard, which
evidently came from the roll. In
moment all the others at the table
were sympathetically watching him as
he extracted a little piece of something
from his mouth and began rolling It
around in his napkin to clean it off,
Mr.. Monley gave an ejaculation of
surprise when the something was
cleaned. 1t was Il diamond, and there
was no doubling its genuineness. At
ter remarking upon the strange man
ner of its discovery, he passed 1t round
the table. and all the eaters took
look at it. The dining room girl was
called over and asked concerning the
baker. She said he was rather an &C.
centric fellow who was worth nearly
million dollars, as result of rich
find of ore on his northern Minnesota
timber claim, but that, III spite of his
wealth. he preferred working at his
old trade of cook, rather than lie idle
He was a merry wag, she asserted, and
every now and then dropped gold
pieces or jewelry in his pastry as a
joke. and also in the hope that poor
and needy persons would get hold of
them.
i The men could hardly doubt the sto-
~. for was not the evidence of this
eccentricity before their very eyes?
Mr.. Monley maintined serious cast
of countenance throughout the inter-
view, and took part in the speculative
conversation that followed. No one
would have suspected him of knowing
more than any of the others.
At dinner last night the demand for
rolls was so heavy that the supply was
entirely exhausted before all of the
guests were served. Some of the men
had two or three plates Of them.
The art of ventriloquism and its
many queer uses and adaptabilities
have been subjects for many lengthy
and eloquent discourses-so much so
that any further discussion would
seem wearisome. However, Hugh EN-
NETT. proprietor of the Bijou theatre,
and, by the way, top-notcher in the
ventriloquistic arts, tells one that has
all previous tales beaten to a finish.
The incident happened in Chicago a
little less than two months ago.
: II was one of a house party at a
millionaire's great new house."
he said. "Tea had been served in the
garden, and after tea sang. Then l
consented to essay a little ventrilo-
quism. and the so or 60 guests grew
very still.
+, Behind me rose a superb tree.
Looking up into the thick foliage,
shouted in a loud and angry voice:
= Hello! What are you doing up
there?'
ITO my amazement a thin young
voice replied:
81 amt dom no harm. mister. I'm
just a-watchin' the big-bugs.'
THE guests glanced at one another,
smiling appreciatively. Pulling my
self together, went on:
Did any one give you permission to
climb up into that tree?'
Eyes. sir. The second groom, sir.
He's my cousin
"'Well, said I. so far there's no
harm done. But be careful not to fall,
and don't let any one see YOU
"'All right, mister said the humble
voice.
Il turned to my audience. and smiled
and bowed triumphantly. They broke
into thunderous applause. They said
that they had never listened to ven
triloquism SO superb"