A Lantern Odyssey
by
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Mr. Luke brought a chair and motioned for a waiter to bring a cup of tea. Top sat down. Mr. Luke observed, “You should rest for a moment. You look a little drawn. Your wife is answering questions. Your show was greatly appreciated. And on short notice, too. Our special guest was very pleased. He is the head of a Chinese organization that settles business disputes and protects ordinary people.”
Top looked at Mr. Luke and replied in a very soft voice, “He is the head of the regional Tong, isn’t he?”
Surprised, Mr. Luke sat down alongside Top. “You are quick to ascertain that fact. But I urge you not to say it again, for your own protection. Now would you like anything to eat? We know you make a habit of not eating much before a program.”
“I must say, Mr. Luke, you certainly learned a great deal about Letta and myself. I was totally surprised when informed that you had already installed a hook and pulley above the lantern. But yes, I’ll have a little more tea, if you please, and perhaps a cup for Letta, too.”
An elderly gentleman approached the projection site. It was the man who had originally welcomed them. “You know who I am?”
Top replied, “Not by name, Sir, but you are…”
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About the Book
The itinerant lanternist was a feature of the American scene prior to 1920 and before. These nomadic entertainers brought humor, news, and song to the small towns and villages along the Road to the
This book tells the story of Top and Letta who are disappointed in their wish to appear at the St. Louis Fair of 1904. It chronicles their trek about the country as they try to escape the bane of the “Flickers” whose parenthood has been claimed by so many.
All their travels are fictional, but there are incidents that actually happened so long ago. The lanternists named are mostly real people who kept the Magic Lantern alive at the turn of the century (1900).
About the Author
Robert Bishop is now 90 years of age. The youngest of six brothers and one sister. He is now the sole survivor. He is an original member of the Magic Lantern Society of the
Exposed to the bug of the lantern by Lawrence Denny Lindsey, the oldest grandson, at the time, of David Denny and Louisa Boren,
A Lantern Odyssey is the third book written by Bishop since the passing of his sweetheart of nearly seventy years. Carmaletta had always encouraged The Old Projectionist to write. The first book was entitled “The Magic of the Lantern” and the second was “Illumination.” Who knows? Perhaps there will be a fourth book.