Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-10-31

fair ground and seaside amusement park
from Coney Island 20 Galveston. In his
battered wardrobe trunks were parts OF old
costumes. scrapbooks OF clippings and n
goodly collection Of Autographs. some ad.
sertNing the supernatural powers OF Pro-
lessor Magi Sovereign OF the Unseen
world. and others the Accomplishments
or Nile, lie Garde. Renowned Serpent
hnchantress." In these gaudy portraits Of
"Magi the Mystic" no one would have
recognized Phil Strange. And even more
uitncult would II have been 20 trace a
resemblance between Mrs Strange and the
blond oushy-headed Mile lie Garde" OF
the posters. Nevertheless the lkenesses
nj one time had been considered not too
nattering, and Phil treasured them as evi-
dences OF imperishab.e distinction.
But the Stranses had tired OF public life
For long time the wife had confessed
to lack Of interest In her vocation which
amounted almost to n repugnance. Snake
charming. she had discovered. was far
from an ideal profession for woman OF
refinement II possessed unpleasant fea.
lures, and even such euphemistic titles as
serpent Enchantress" and "Reptllian Mes
merist failed to rob the calling Of a
certain odium, suggestion OF vulgarity
In the minds OF the more discriminating
This had become so distressing 20 Mrs
Strange's finer sensibillties that she had
voiced yearnlng to forsake the plat
form and pit for something moro con-
Phil to make a change.
The step had not been taken without
misglvingS. but benign Providence had
watched over the pair. Mrs Strange was
natural seamstress. and luck had d.
| rected her and Phil to o community which
was not only In need OF a good dressmaker.
but peculiarly ripe for the talents Of a
soothsayer Phil, too. had intended 10
| embrace a new profession. but he had
soon discovered that Jonesvilte offered bet
| ter financial returns to man Of his ae,-
| cepted gifts than did the choicest OF sea-
side concessions and therefore he had re-
sumed his old calling under slightly
| different gulse. Before long he acknowi-
edged himself well pleased with the new
environment. for hrs wife was far happier
In draplng dressgoods upon the figures OF
| her customers than in hanging python
| folds about her own. and he found his
| own fame growing with every day. His
| mediumistic gifts came into general de.
| mand, The country people Iourneyed miles
TO consult him. and Blaze Joness statement
! that they conided In the fortune teller a,
they would have confded tn priest wa,
| scarcely an exaggeration. Phil did. In
| deed, become the repository for confessions
| OF many sorts.
Contrary to Blazes belief however
| Strange was no Prince OF Darkness and
| took little Joy In some of the secrets forceC
| upon him. Phil was n good man In hi
way--so conscientious that certain informa
| tion he acquired weighed him down with
a sense of unpleasant responsibility. chanc
ing TO meet Dave Law one day. he de
| termined to relieve himself Of at least on,
| troublesome burden.
But Dave was not easily approachable
He met the mediums allusions to the oc
cult with contemptuous amusement. no
| would he consent to private reading
Strange grew almost desperate enough 4
| speak the ungarnished truth.