Amador ledger., 1906-04-06
THE MAGIC STORY.

The MAGIC STORY.
l was sitting alone in the cafe, and
had just reached for the sugar prepara-
tory to putting it into my coffee While
l dreamed and slipped, the door opened
and closed, admitting -Sturtevant.
Sturtevant was an undeniable failure,
but, withal, an artist of more than
ordinary talent
AS l 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. l noted the brightness of his
usual lack-luster eyes, and the health
full, hopeful glow upon his cheek, with
increasing amazement.
Have you lost a rich uncle?" l
asked.
NO." he replied calmly, "but l have
found my mascot
"Brindle bull, or terrier?" inquired.
''Currier," said Sturtevant, at length,
81 see that l have surprised you. 1t is
not strange, for am surprise to my
self. l am new man, a 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. 'No. Do you happen to
know anything in the line of my pro-
fession that I could not accomplish, if
I applied myself to it? No Tomorrow
my new career begins. Within month
| shall have a bank account. Why?
Because 1 have discovered the secret of
success"
The Strange Story
"Yes," he continued, my fortune is
made. l have been reading a strange
story, and, since reading it, 1 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-" 1 said, wondering
Wont you tell me the story? should
like to hear it."
Certain. 1 mean to tell it to the
whole world. This morning 1 was starv-
ing. 1 had gone to three of the papers
for which 1 had done work, and had
been handed back all that had sub
mitted. Then 1 found the story and
read it."
"But what is the story, Sturtevant?"
"Wait; let me finish. I took those
same old drawings to other editors,
and every one of them was accepted at
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 I saw him
rush out into the sleet and wind and
disappear.
| One night, on the street, encounter
ed Avery, former college chum, then
reporter on one of the evening papers
Hello, old chap" he said; "how's
the world using you? Still on space?"
"Yes,' 1 replied, bitterly, with pros
poets of being on the town shortly. But
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 fact, and it is very remarkable
You know Sturtevant, don't you? It's
all due to him. was plumb down on
my luck when 1 met Sturtevant He
told me story, and, really, old man,
| it is the most remarkable story you
ever heard; it made new man of me.
"It must be remarkable story"
said, incredulously. "Sturtevant men
| toned it to me once. I have not seen
him since. Where is he now?"
HE has been making war sketches
in Cuba, at two hundred a week; he's
just returned. 1t is fact that every
body that has heard that story has
done well since. There are Cosgrove
and Phillips,-friends of mine,-you
don't know them. Sturtevant told
them the story, and they have expert
enced the same results that 1 have;
and they are not the only ones either"
"Do you know the story?" 1 asked.
''Will you try it's effect upon me?"
Certainly; with the greatest plea
will you? l see Danforth over there
Back in a minute, old chap"
He nodded and smiled,-and was
gone. saw him join the man whom he
had designated as Danforth. My atten-
tion was distracted for an instant, and,
when 1 looked again, both had dis
appeared.
If the truth be told, I was hungry.
My pocket at that moment contained
exactly five cents; just enough to pay
my fare uptown, but insufficient also
to stand the expense of filling my
stomach. There was a might OWL
wagon in the neighborhood, where 1
had frequently ''stood up" the purveyor
of midnight dainties, and to him I ap-
piled. He was leaving the wagon as I
was on the point of entering it, and 1
accosted him.
I'm broke again." said, with ex-
treme cordiality. you'll have to trust
me once more. Some ham and eggs, 1
think, will do for the present"
He coughed, hesitated moment, and
then re-entered the wagon with me.