| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from An Inland Voyage by Robert Louis Stevenson: fortifying to reproduce all the old man's insinuations, as if they
were original to me in my character of a malcontent footman, and
have them brushed away like so many flies by these admirable young
men.
When I recounted this affair to the CIGARETTE, 'They must have a
curious idea of how English servants behave,' says he dryly, 'for
you treated me like a brute beast at the lock.'
I was a good deal mortified; but my temper had suffered, it is a
fact.
AT LANDRECIES
AT Landrecies the rain still fell and the wind still blew; but we
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Miracle Mongers and Their Methods by Harry Houdini: last time I saw him he was working the ``halls''
in England. I hope he saved his money, for
he was a clean man with a clean reputation,
and, I can truly say, he was a master in his
manner of indulging his appetite for the cold
steel.
Deodota, an Italian Magician, was also a
sword-swallower of more than average ability.
He succumbed to the lure of commercialism
finally, and is now in the jewelry business in
the ``down-town district'' of New York City.
Miracle Mongers and Their Methods |
