The Wizard's Hat Trick.

Otago Witness, Issue 1915, 3 August 1888, Page 38

The Wizard's Hat Trick.

Many will recollect having read in the papers some years ago of an attempt made by Anderson, the Wizard of the North, to perform some trick before a London audience with a hat borrowed from a man present. He spoiled the hat, and the owner demanded pay for it. This Anderson refused to give, and was sued by the owner of the hat. The battered and bruised hat was produced in evidence. Anderson took it up, looked at it, and set it down before the magistrate in as good a condition as it was when it came from the shop. Of course the owner of the hat was compelled to pay the costs, besides having the laugh against him. This is the first pai". of the story : now for the second.

Years afterwards the owner of the hat chanced to meet Anderson in San Francisco, and he called his attention to their former difficulties.

" You lost the case, didn't you, and had to pay the costs ?" said the " Wizard."

" Yes," was the reply.

Anderson turned to an apple-stand near by and purchased two apples', one of which he presented to the defeated parl.y in the hat suit, with the remark —

" Here, that'll do for your expenses."

The man took the apple, bit into it and struck his teeth on a lOdol gold piece, which of course he pocketed, although surprised at the diablerie which placed it there.

And thus it was, after a long lapse of time, that the professor's hat trick in London was fully completed in San Francisco, and the owner of the battered and transformed beaver fully remunerated, by tasting an apple, for all his trouble and expense.