Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1906-03-31
THE MAGIC STORY.


I was sitting alone in the cafe, and
had lust reached for the sugar prepare |
tory to putting 1t into my coffee. While |
dreamed and slipped, the door opened
and closed observation-disclosures.
Sturtevant was an undeniable failure,
but, withal, an artist OF more than
ordinary talent.
AS | raised my eyes to his l was
conscious of mild surprise at the
change in his appearance. He was not
dressed differently, yet there was some
thing new and strange in his appear
ance. noted the brightness of his
usual lack-luster eyes, and the health
full, hopeful glow upon his cheek, with
increasing amazement.
Have you lost rich uncle?"
asked.
NO" he replied calmly, "but have
found my mascot"
"Brindle bull, or terrier?" l inquired.
"Currier," said Sturtevant, at length,
Il see that | have surprised you. 1t Is
not strange, for l am a surprise to my
self. | am new man, different man,
and the alteration has taken place in
the last few hours"
"DO you know an artist who pos
sesses more talent than II" he asked,
presently. mo. Do you happen to
know anything in the line of my pro-
fession that | could not accomplish, If
| applied myself to it? No. Tomorrow
my new career begins. Within month
| shall have a bank account. Why?
Because l have discovered the secret of
success"
The Strange Story
eyes" he continued, my fortune is
made. | have been reading a strange
story, and, since reading 1t, l feel
that my fortune is assured. 1t will make
your fortune, too. All you have to do
is to read it. You have no idea what
it will do for you"
"You amaze me-" | said, wondering
Wont you tell me the story? / should
like to hear it."
Certain. I mean to tell it to the
whole world. This morning | was starv
ing. | had gone to three of the papers
for which | had done work, and had
been handed back all that had sub
mitted. Then | found the story and
read it,
| But what is the story, Sturtevant?'
wait: let me finish. | took those
same old drawings to other editors
and every one of them was accepted al
once"
| The waiter interrupted us at that
moment, informing Sturtevant that he
was wanted at the telephone, and, with
a word of apology, the artist left the
table. Five minutes later | saw him
/ oh, nj tho c1nnt and wind 1nG
disappear.
| One night, on the street / encounter
ed Avery, a former college chum, then
a reporter on one of the evening papers
"Hello. old chap" he said 'how's
the world using you? Still on space?"
eyes," l replied, bitterly, with pros
poets of being on the town shortly. Bu1
you look as if things were coming
your way Tell me about it."
His Friends All Hear 1t.
Things have been coming my way
for a fact, and it is very remarkable
You know Sturtevant, don't you? It's
all due to him. | was plumb down or
my luck when | met Sturtevant. He
told me a story, and, really, old man
il is the most remarkable story you
~~%N
ut must be a remarkable story"
said, incredulously. "Sturtevant men
toned it to me once. | have not seer
him since. Where is he now?"
"He has been making war sketche:
in Cuba, at two hundred a week; hei
lust returned. 1t is a fact that every
body that has heard that story ha
done well since. There are Cosgrov'
and Phillips,-friends of mine,-yo'
don't know them. Sturtevant toll
them the story, and they have expert
enced the same results that l have
and they are not the only ones either.
do you know the story?" | asked
evil you try its effect upon me?"
Certainly; with the greatest plea
sure in the world. Excuse me minut
|, will you? I see Danforth over there
Back in a minute, old chap"
He nodded and smiled,-and wa
) gone. | saw him join the man whom n
had designated as Danforth. My after
ton was distracted for an instant, anc
when | looked again, both had dis
appeared.
If the truth be told, | was hungry
, NY pocket at that moment contalne
3 exactly five cents; just enough to pa
= my fare uptown, but insufficient ais
9 to stand the expense Of filling m
stomach. There was might owl
q wagon in the neighborhood, where
p had frequently "stood up the purveyo
! of midnight dainties, and to him / al
!. piled. He was leaving the wagon as
: was on the point of entering it, and
:. accosted him.
= I'm broke again." I said, with e,
+ treme cordially. you'll have to tru'
me once more. Some ham and eggs,
, think, will do for the present"
\ He coughed, hesitated moment, an
4 then re-entered the wagon with me.
(Continued on page 81.