The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1911-04-05

us, who pretended that he was following the
Greek, turned round in silent rebuke Of
Cecilias distracting chatter, and she had TO
hold her peace. But il was not long before
she again found an opportunity to whisper:
And isn't It interesting2 Chanier Rao
has promised 20 solve the mystery Of those
things that were stolen; he declares that
before he leaves the platform tonight he
viii hand over the guilty boy to the head
master am dying to see how he can
possibly doit'
For myself, / was seriously disturbed by
my sisters communication. | thought
from the first that Searson was a little indis-
creet in making knownat all the unfortunate
occurrence; wiser and calnler man would
nave dealt with the difficulty privately with
ont troubling any Of his guests with an Incl
dent that was certainly not altogether to the
credit Of his school though that, Of course,
was his own business But it was very
different matter for Chanler Rao, in his
capacity Of public entertainer, to deal with
the affair on th, platform.
1T seemed absolutely incredible that
problem which had baffled the experience Of
the headmaster himself could really be
solved at all by this Eastern charlatan; and
/ trusted to an early lyrealization Of his failure,
rather than to his discretion, to preserve us
from the Lnpleasantness threatened by his
determination.
As rejoined my sister, DR.. Searson was
making his final speech. He explained that
in the ordinary course Of things they would
now have completed their usual Speech Day
program, but that, owing to the kindness Of
Colonel and Mrs Thornton, there was on
this occasion an additional entertainment
provided in the shape Of Chanler Rao's
exhibition Of real Eastern magic
A burst Of cheering from the boys at the
announcement caused my sister some en-
barrassment, and effectually checked the
Doctors tendency to embark on a scholastic
disquisition on the antiquity and develop
ment Of Indian magic.
He contented himself instead with brief
acknowledgment that he had himself wit
messed Chanler's performances in London,
and was convinced Of the genuineness u his
claim and the cleverness of his legerdemain.
Hewas sure that the present company would
find the exposition most interesting in
itselfand even valuable from an educa-
tional point Of view as an authentic exam
pie Of the magic practised from early time
by this ancient people, who formed SO inn
portant part Of our great Empire.
Then the stage was cleared for Chanlers
performance, while the audience settled
themselves down with genuine expecta-
tion Of being entertained different
from the polite pretense Of being interested
which had characterized their reception Of
the earlier portions Of the program.
NowI must confess that from the moment
Of Chanler's appearance on the platform, a
great deal OF my anxiety vanished at once.
Our Hindu friend, as have already limited,
was rather an embarrassing acquaintance in
private hfc-you were never quite sure
what he might be doing next, or how far his
imperfect familiarity with Western ciyiliza-
tion might land him (and you) in a difficulty.
But on the stage, Challer was thoroughly
ut home at once and seemed instinctiyely
to know the right thing to do.
With quiet dignity, he introduced him.
self as a humble citizen Of the British En-
pire, and paid graceful little tribute to the
benefcent rule Of the great King Emperor
under whose sway East and West were
linked IN the enjoyment Of justice and
liberty
6s Tbcn he won the hearts Of the parents by
expressing his unbounded admiration Of
British boyhood especially Of the fine body
OF young and noble collegians" whom he
saw before him. And he captivated the
boys themselves by a half-comical commits
GRAFTON OF the scholastic burdens they had
to bear, and raised a ripple Of laughter by
conlessing that he knew all about it through
his repeated failures to satisfy the Calcutta
examiners for his degree.
All this was said with that curious mixture
Of dignity and humility which would be
absurd in European, but which seemed so
exactly to iit in with the character and
personality OF this gorgeous representative
Of distant land
Then, with pleasant expression Of his
delight in relieving their strenuous studies
of modern learning with an exhibition Of the
ancient wonders and wisdom Of the East, he
began his performance.
Here, again, could not but recognize
that Chanler had exactly gagged what was
required Of him. The tricks were chosen
with special appropriateness to the audi
ence he had come to entertain. OF course,
there was the wonderful growthof the mango
tree, and the basket in which little Rao is
apparently pierced again and again with a
sword no exhibition Of real Indian magic
could he complete without these much-dis-
Cussed maFyeis.
But the other items the egg on the side
table which persistcntly refused e remain