The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-11-16
ABE'S LITTLE Filler.
The Result Of His Desire to Learn
a Few New Tricks.
BY GRANT THoRBuRN.

For years he'd been a power 10 the
Flatbrook meeting house-not during
church time, 10 be sure, nor yet at
Sunday school, nor week night meet
ings. nor Bpworth league It was at
other times be shone-at the fairs and
candy sales and donation parties and
school commandments. for he was a
prestidigitator, and he was the regu.
lar thing at the village entertainments
But lately bis popularity had begun
to wane. The Flatbrookers became
tired Of the same old card and coin
tricks, though Abe Hincfman through
long and careful Practice. was an
adept at them. They longed for the
Indian box trick and the jugglers
sword tricks Of the metropolis. They
did not know that down In the cities
the blase members of society. II they
ever did attend sleight-of-hand per
Torrance, always came In when the
card and coin tricks commenced aud
yawned and went out when the Indian
box trick came on
Abe realized that his popularity was
on the wane Even old Doc Clark
Son's daughter had grown a bit dis.
traught and cold So Abe made up his
mind. He drew about two-fhirds Of
his bank deposit and started for New
York He was determined TO learn a
few new tricks. buy some new para
phernalia aud come back and astonish
the natives and old Doe Clarkson's
daughter 1t was early winter, and
there was no farming to be done, so
there was no better time or opportu-
nifty. and he went.
He occupied seat In the smoker.
AT a station near the metropolis a well
dressed young man boarded the train,
looked around for seat and finally
took the one next to Hinchman. lie
was sociable sort of fellow and en-
tered Into conversation at once. Abe
told him all he knew and many things
that be didn't The stranger was not
so communicative ard confined him
self strictly to fiction. although Abe
couldn't know that. Of course
Now, look a-here, remarked this
man. Don't you 30 to any hotel. You
no to a private boarding house They
won't skin you know d good one
where they'll treat you right, You
come with me- Abe went.
The place was situated In a rather
obscure street, but the rates we're
cheap. Abes companion. by a singular
coincidence. boarded there himself
After supper they went upstairs into
the parlor A caller was announced. a
rather seedy parsonage He wanted to
see Abes new companion. They talk
ed together in one corner. while Abe
sat in another Then his friend came
over to him.
Say. Hinchman" he began, do you
know anything about diamonds? Any
Judge Of them" Abe glanced at the
other man out Of the corner OF his eye
"Somepin," he replied. WAS in a
jewelry store up home FIR awhile
Why? What's upT"
why, say" continued the other
heres friend OF mine IN fix. He's
got some good diamonds and wants me
to loan about $500 on en- They're
worth 5000 anyway. I've seen EN-.
Now, amt got 5000 or I'd lend 1t to
him. s'pose you do It. How much
have you got?' This was a superfu-
GUS question. for he had discovered on
the train that Hinchman had just
$3.50.
"Well, now. here" went on the 9th
or; "he says If be don't pay up in a
week you can keep the stones. See?
He can't pay up. and the stones are
the real thing. See? And you'll be in