The San Francisco call., 1909-05-30

spirit In any event, no one else wanted OF
would take me- so of the evils left choose from
home with Jacques Lutreau a charity instiu-
tion-well possibly drew the long end after all.
Lutreaus home, after small, poorly fur
nshed room, seemed luxurious affair. AS a matter
of fact fairly comfortable fat three flights up
over grocery A living room, with an alcove
where Lutreau slept, bathroom and combination
kitchen and dining room held out before vista
of comfort of which | had never dreamed. But was
too heartbroken to about the things. cried
my lonely little heart out, only child cast out
alone into the world can cry My poor little butterfly
mother, whose wings were broken so soon, dear
and beautiful reality after those negative days
in the convent.
1t will give you glimpse into the contradictions
OF Lutreaus character when tell you he gathered ur
all OF mothers rinkets and poor little souvenirs and
arranged them in my room; even her dancing shoes
and frock of tinseled gauzc carefully put in
box and laid my dresser He also told OF my
father and gave the photograph. For little
while he left me alone with my grief. He was very
quiet and walked the floor increasingly. but night
lot of men came in. Next morning when awokc
they still playing cards, and after that Lutreau
grew more like his former self
He disgusted beyond measure and gave way
to volcanic explosion of French imprecations when
he discovered that could only read by spelling out
the words and could not write at ALL Lutreau was
highly educated, master of several languages and an
omnivorous reader. He took me in hand and taught
me daily to such good purpose that at Is was
reading Bazac and De Maupassant in the original
But must not go ahead OF my story.
The lessons followed the vagaries of Lutreau's
moods rather than set of study. Reading
whiting, bits of philosophy and classic lore unl-
bed together for me to assinate as best | could
And xaha, 7 tt,o
he taught sleght of hand tricks at which he was
very clever wonder yet if this freak OF nature
-esponsibe for my subsequent career.
Lutreau had good reason to keep his knowledge
Of this tricky art secret ! found magic
seances' as he called them, great fun and worked
hard perfect myself. My one talent is drawing
This interested Lutreau greatly and he obtained a
good teacher for me. liked the drawing better
than the writing though ! developed great facility
with pen work But Lutreau made me copy sigma
lures and until could practically duplicate
them, and it was very tiresome.
All the while was leaving my .scrawny childish
looks behind Lutreau fed and clothed me we'll. and
am sure that he never spoke one harsh word to me-
but do not think that / was troubled to feel
grateful and certainly felt for him the least
bit of affection Just why can explain, unless it
intuition for the keenes craving of my life has
always been to love and be loved
No woman ever came to the fat and soon lost
sight of mothers friends The only woman knew at
that time the one who came to us twice week to
wash and clean. Ignorant she was, took comfort
in her presence and ookedforward oher days of work
The gambling became nightly occurrence. /
could hear the whir of the roulette wheel and the
clink of the coin. and sometimes angry words; but
became accustomed these sounds and slept as
peacefully if were in the convent. acquired the
habit OF not asking questions and Lutrcau spoke
of his affairs. Naturally of a gay temperament, my
youth rose paramount and | made the most Of the
mpersonal life we lcd and I-utreau was my only
companion took UP his pursuits for pastimc. I
learned TO juggle the roulette wheel-I say juggle
advsedlS, and cohld go him better the tricks
that had made him the most noted cardsharp the
continent. But my star performance and one that
Lureau gloried III, to hold cigarette in my right
hands blowing the smoke into myriad rings, while with
my left hand | could manipulate the secret springs
under the roulette table or through my neighbors
pocket with equal ease.
AT Is | had become sleight of hand artist and
Lutreau never tired of putting through my PAGES
About this time Lutreau brought home facsimile
of signature, James Henry Brown'-I could write
it blindfolded Over and over copied this
autograph until perfect signature from my
pen: then | Wrote the name on blank check and