Rensselaer Gazette, Volume 3, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 September 1859 — The Conjuror and the Yankee. [ARTICLE]

The Conjuror and the Yankee.

Anderson, the wizard, met with a Yankee, who stole a march on him one day, after the following pattern: Enter Yankee. “I say! are you Professor Anderson?” “Yes, sir, at your service.” “Wa’al, you’re a tarnation smart man, and I’m somethin’ at a trick, too, kinder cute, deu you know.” “Ah, indeed! what trick are you up to?” asked the professor, amused at the simple fellow. “Wa’al, I can take a red cent and change it into a ten dollar gold piece.” “Oh, that’s a mere slight-of-hand trick; I can do that, too.” “No you can’t. I’d like to see you try.” “Well, hold out your hand with a cent in it.” Yankee stretches out bis paw with a cent lying on it. “This is your cent, is it, sure?” “It’s nothing else.” “Hold on to it tight—Presto! change. Now open your hand.” Yaukee opened his list, and there was a gold eagle shining on his palm. “Wa’al , you did it. I declare; much obliged to you,” and Jonathan turned to go out. “Say,” said the professor, “you may leave my ten dollars.” “Yours! Wan’t it my cent; and didn’t you turn it into this ’ere yellow thing, eh? Good-by!” and as he left the room he was heard to say; “I guess there aint anything green about this child.” Qp^ , “7\re yoy n.ear sighted, Miss?” said an impertinent fellow to, a you,ng lady who did not choose to him. “Yes, at this distance I can hardly teljl whether you are a pig or a puppy.”