The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1906-03-30
THE MAGIC STORY.

Il / was sitting alone in the cafe, and
had just reached for the sugar prepare
tory to putting it into my coffee. While
l dreamed and slipped, the door opened
land closed, dmitting-Sturteyan
Sturtevant was an undeniable failure
but, withal, an artist Of more than
ordinary talent.
AS l raised my eyes to his 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 q rich uncle?"
asked.
NO" he replied calmly, ''but l have
found my mascot"
"Brindle bull, or terrier?" l inquired.
"Currier," said Sturtevant, at length,
81 see that / have surprised you. 1t is
not strange, for | am 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 I?' 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
I shall have bank account. Why?
Because / 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 it, / 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-" l said, wondering
won't you tell me the story? l SHOULD.
like to hear it."
Certain. mean to tell it to the
whole world. This morning was starry
ing. had gone to three of the papers
for which | had done work, and had
been handed back all that had sub
mitted. Then l 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 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, 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?
Yes I 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" z
His Friends All Hear 1t.
s"Things have been coming my way, /
Tor fact, and it is very remarkable |
You know Sturtevant, don't you? It's |
LII due to him. | was plumb down on /
my luck when | et~Sturtevant. He |
old me a story, and, really, old man,
t is the most remarkable story you /
ever heard; it made new man of me. /
ut must be remarkable story" /
aid, incredulously. "Sturtevant men,
Toned it to me once. l have not seen
lin since. Where is he now?"
'He has been making war sketches
n Cuba, at two hundred a week; he's
ust returned 1t is a fact that every
,ody that has heard that story has
lone we'll since. There are Cosgrove
81 De-, ~ ofS1n
lon't know them. Sturtevant told
hem the story, and they have expert
need the same results that l have;
md they are not the only ones il1er.""
"Do you know the story?" asA-ed.
WIFI you try its effect upon me?"
Certainly; with the greatest plea
ure in the world. Excuse me minuteI
viii you? see Danforth over there.
tack in a minute, old chap"
He nodded and smiled,--an was
one. saw him join the man whom he
ad designated as Danforth. My atten-
ion was distracted for an instant, and,
7hen / looked again, both had dis
ppeared. II
If the truth be told, was hungry.
~ pocket at that moment contained
xactly five cents; just enough to payi
~ fare uptown, but insufficient alsoI
D stand the expense of filling myI
tomach. There was "night owl"
vagon in the neighborhood, where /
ad frequently stood up the purveyorI
{ midnight dainties, and to him ap-
lied. He was leaving the wagon as III
'as on the point of entering it, and /
ccosted him.
"I'm broke again. I said, with ex-
'eme cordially. you'll have to trust
lie once more Some ham and eggs, /
link, will do for the present"
He coughed, .hesitated moment. and
len re-entered the wagon with me.
Continued on page 81.