TRICKS WITH HANDKERCHIEFS
PEREGRINATIONS OF A HANDKERCHIEF.--For the following series of
experiments you will require three fifteen inch silk handkerchiefs (the
best material for making these is fine quality sarcenet), an ordinary
small sliding match-box, a candle in a candlestick, and a conjuring
wand; also a false finger and a conjuring pistol, hereafter described.
You prepare for the series of tricks by rolling up one of the
handkerchiefs very small and pushing it into the back of the match-box,
which you open about one inch for the purpose; another is rolled up and
placed behind the collar on the left hand side of the neck; and the
last is loaded into the false finger and placed in the right hand
trousers pocket. You are now ready to commence.
HANDKERCHIEF AND CANDLE.--"Ladies and Gentlemen, the following
experiment was suggested to me at the age of twelve while studying
chemistry. I then learned that all matter was indestructible. Proof of
this, as you are well aware, is afforded with an ordinary candle. You
may light the candle at one end and let it burn to the other, but you
do not destroy the matter of which it is composed. What really takes
place is the formation of new substances, as hydrogen, carbon, water,
etc., which any of the text-books on chemistry will explain. I will,
however, give you one striking illustration:"--
Pick up the match-box and light the candle; then close the box, pushing
the handkerchief into the right hand, and throw the box down on the
table. Take the candle from the candle-stick and place it in the right
hand, which masks the presence of the handkerchief. You now appear to
take something from the flame of the candle with the left hand, which
you close as if it really contained an article. Open the hand slowly,
looking surprised to find you have failed, and remark:--"Well--really I
cannot understand this. I am generally successful with this trick. Oh!
I know what is the matter. You see, I am using the left hand; if you do
things left-handed they cannot possibly be right. I will try the right
hand." Saying this, you place the candle in the left hand and
immediately produce the handkerchief from the flame with the right,
closing the hand as before. It now only remains for you to open the
hand and develop the silk slowly.
TO VANISH A HANDKERCHIEF AND PRODUCE IT FROM YOUR COLLAR.--Place your
wand under your left arm. Take the handkerchief and roll it up small,
using both hands. Affect to place the handkerchief in the left hand,
really palming it in the right, and take your wand from under the arm
in the same hand. Vanish the handkerchief from the left hand, and take
the one from your collar, immediately placing it in the right hand to
mask the presence of the one already there, and lay the wand down on
the table.
TO PASS A HANDKERCHIEF INTO THE POCKET OF A SPECTATOR.--Obtain the
assistance of a young gentleman from the audience, and ask him to let
you have the loan of the outside breast pocket of his coat. Much fun is
generally caused by his removing his own pocket handkerchief and sundry
other curious articles. Place both handkerchiefs, which have all the
time remained in the right hand, in his pocket (you, of course, are
supposed to be using one only), and stand as far away as the limits of
the stage will allow, and say:--"Now, sir, do you think it possible for
me to remove the handkerchief from your pocket without coming a step
nearer to you than I am at present." He will probably look confused,
and hardly know whether to say Yes or No. Whatever he may say is all
the same to you, and you remark:--"My dear sir, do not look like that;
your face is calculated to upset me altogether. I scarcely know what I
am doing. What I really intended to do was to pass the handkerchief
from my hands into your pocket." You now take the handkerchief from his
pocket, where, unknown to the spectators and probably the gentleman
himself, one still remains. You will now vanish the handkerchief as in
the last trick, and let the gentleman take the one from his pocket,
which will seem to be the same. Take the handkerchief from him, place
it in the right hand, which again conceals the one in the palm, and lay
the wand down on the table.
TO FIRE A HANDKERCHIEF INTO A GENTLEMAN'S HAIR.--For the purpose of
this trick you will have to make use of what is known as a conjuring
pistol, which, being in constant use in magical surprises, I will
describe. It consists of an ordinary pistol fitted with a conical tin
tube eight inches long. The mouth of this tube is about two inches in
diameter and is supplied with a tin cup one and one-half inches deep,
having its outer edge turned over all round so as to afford a ready
grip to the palm. The conical tube is fitted with an inner tube to keep
it firm on the barrel of the pistol. (See Fig. 13.)
[Illustration: Fig. 13.--Conjuring Pistol]
Taking up the pistol, you place the two handkerchiefs, which look like
one, in the cup; push them well down and remark:--"I shall now fire
direct at the gentleman's head, and after the shot the handkerchief
will be found firmly embedded in his hair, and will, not unlikely, be
seen protruding from each of his ears. It just depends on the force of
the shot, you know, and I need hardly say I loaded the pistol myself,
and am totally ignorant of fire-arms. Are you ready, sir? then
good-bye!" Place the "muzzle" of the pistol in the left hand while you
shake hands with the gentleman. In taking the pistol back into the
right hand to fire it, you leave the cup behind in the left hand, and
at the instant you pull the trigger, you drop it into your pocket on
the left side. When discharging the pistol you will, of course, stand
with your right side to the audience.
You now ask the gentleman to take the handkerchief from his hair,
telling him it is just behind his left ear (of course it is not really
there); and while he is trying to find it you stand with your hands in
your trousers pockets, telling him to make haste, you cannot wait all
the evening, etc. When he has tried some time and failed to find it you
take your hands from your pockets, having got the false finger into
position between the second and third fingers. Showing the hands back
and front (the addition of an extra finger will not be noticed), you
pass them several times over the head of the gentleman, then lowering
the hands on to his head you detach the finger and draw out the
handkerchief. The false finger is laid down on the table under cover of
the handkerchief.
The finger is made of thin spun brass painted flesh color; it is quite
hollow from tip to root, and is shaped for fitting between the second
and third fingers, (Fig. 14). It can be used in many tricks with
handkerchiefs, and is really an indispensable accessory.
This concludes the series alluded to in the beginning of this chapter.
I will now describe a number of handkerchief tricks complete in
themselves.
[Illustration: Fig. 14.--False Finger]
THE HANDKERCHIEF CABINET.--This very useful piece of apparatus should
be in the repertoire of every amateur magician, as it is available for
producing, changing, or vanishing a handkerchief. Its secret lies in
the fact that it contains two drawers, bottom to bottom, the lower one
being hidden by a sliding panel. When standing on the table the top
drawer only is visible, and the cabinet looks the picture of innocence,
but if turned over and stood on its opposite end, the sliding panel
falls, exposing the hidden drawer, and hiding that which for the time
being is at the bottom, (Fig. 15). The cabinet is about two inches
square by four inches high.
If required for production you proceed as follows:--Having placed a
silk handkerchief in the concealed drawer, introduce the cabinet, take
out the empty drawer, and give it for examination. Replace the drawer,
secretly turn over the cabinet, and place it on your table. You now go
through any form of incantation you please, open the drawer and take
out the handkerchief.
If you desire to vanish a handkerchief you will have it placed in the
drawer by one of the spectators, and while going to the table turn over
the box. When the drawer is opened the handkerchief will have
disappeared.
[Illustration: Fig. 15.--Handkerchief Cabinet]
Should you wish to change one handkerchief for another you will
beforehand conceal say a red handkerchief in the cabinet; then taking a
white one, have it deposited in the upper drawer, turn over the cabinet
as before, pull out the now uppermost drawer, and produce the red
handkerchief.
From the foregoing description it will be obvious that the cabinet is
capable of being used in conjunction with many tricks.
THE HANDKERCHIEF VANISHER.--One of the best appliances for causing the
disappearance of a handkerchief may be made from a small celluloid ball
as follows:--Obtain a ball one and three-fourth inches in diameter,
which will take three small silk handkerchiefs if desired, and cut a
one inch hole in any part of its surface. On the side of the ball
opposite the opening fix a loop of flesh-colored thread, long enough to
pass easily over the thumb, and to suspend the ball on the back of the
hand so that it does not hang too low.
When required for use the ball is taken up secretly under cover of the
handkerchief, and the thumb of the left hand is passed through the
loop. Then, while appearing to roll up the handkerchief, it is worked
through the opening into the ball, which is instantly pushed over to
the back of the left hand under cover of the right. The palms of the
hands are now shown empty, when the handkerchief will seem to have
vanished entirely. When using the vanisher you will, of course, stand
with your right side to the audience.
It is well to be provided with two or three of these accessories, in
different sizes.
MAGICAL PRODUCTION OF HANDKERCHIEFS.--The performer comes on the stage
showing both hands empty, back and front. He then pulls up both sleeves
and immediately produces a white silk handkerchief, about eighteen
inches square, which he passes for examination. Then by simply shaking
the handkerchief he obtains from it about half a dozen other colored
ones about fifteen inches square. The colored handkerchiefs are then
caused to vanish by simply rolling them up in the hands, being
immediately afterwards reproduced, all tied together by the corners,
from the white one.
The necessary preparations for the trick are as follows:--A slit one
half inch long is made in the seam of the trousers at the right knee,
and two of the colored handkerchiefs, each having a minute piece of
blackened cork tied to one corner, are pushed into this slit, the corks
being left protruding to enable the performer to instantly draw them
out. Two handkerchiefs of different colors are placed in the pochette
on the left side. A fifth handkerchief, also prepared with a piece of
cork, is placed in the front of the vest, the cork protruding through
the watch-chain hole. It may seem impossible, but the silk may be drawn
through this hole very rapidly, and quite easily, as will be found by
experiment. A sixth handkerchief is contained in the false finger
(previously described), which should be placed in the right hand
trousers pocket.
As the handkerchiefs are produced they are thrown over the back of a
chair fitted with a network servante (Fig. 1, page 18), behind the top
rail of which are suspended two vanishers of the kind already
described; also the ball of six duplicate handkerchiefs all tied
together by the corners.
The trick is worked as follows:--The white handkerchief is rolled up
into a small compass and tied with a piece of silk just strong enough
to hold it. It is then placed in the hollow of the arm at the elbow,
the arm being bent slightly so as to retain it in that position. When
pulling back the sleeves the performer secretly obtains possession of
the handkerchief, breaks the thread, and develops it slowly.
Having had the handkerchief examined, and while holding it by two
corners, spread it over the knee as if drawing attention to the fact
that it is empty. Then, in the act of raising it, shaking it the whole
of the time, pull the two colored ones through the seams, and while
developing these take the two from the pochette on the left side. Place
the white handkerchief in the left hand to conceal the colored ones,
and throw the other two over the back of the chair. Now produce the two
in the left hand in a similar manner, and throw them over the chair
with the two already there. Then take the white handkerchief by two
corners, and while turning it round to show both sides, seize the piece
of cork at the buttonhole of the vest, and produce the fifth
handkerchief, throwing both over the back of the chair.
For the production of the last handkerchief a little patter is
desirable. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I dare say you will wonder where I
get these handkerchiefs. The other evening I overheard two gentlemen
conversing in the boxes. One said to the other, 'Don't you see where he
gets those handkerchiefs? They came down his sleeve.' The other said,
'Oh! no, they don't. He takes them from his pockets, for I saw him.'"
Saying this you thrust the hands into the pockets by way of
illustration, and fix the finger in position. Then withdraw the hands,
placing the palms together, and continue:--"Now, I wish to prove to you
that both of these gentlemen were wrong. If the handkerchief comes down
the sleeve you will be sure to see it. If it comes from the pocket you
will also see it. My hands are perfectly empty" (show hands). "Now
watch closely and see if you can detect me." You now bring the hands
together, reverse the finger, and shake out the handkerchief; and when
laying it with the others on the chair, drop the finger into the
servante.
To cause the disappearance of the handkerchiefs proceed as
follows:--Take up three of the colored ones, at the same time secretly
obtaining one of the vanishers, and, with an up and down motion of the
hands work them into the ball. Then pass the ball to the back of the
hand, and show the palms empty.
When taking up the other three handkerchiefs drop the vanisher into the
servante, secure the other one, and proceed as before. Then take up the
white handkerchief, again disposing of the vanisher into the servante,
and securing the ball of six tied together. Finally wave the white
handkerchief up and down, and gradually work out the colored ones, one
after another.
COLOR-CHANGING HANDKERCHIEFS.--The effect of this trick, which is one
of the best in the whole category of sleight of hand feats, is as
follows:--Three white handkerchiefs are pushed into a paper tube, and
as they come out at the opposite end they are seen to be dyed
respectively red, yellow, and green. The paper is then unrolled and
torn in half, when the white handkerchiefs are found to have vanished
entirely.
[Illustration: Fig. 16.--Handkerchief Fitted with Brass Tube]
To perform the trick you must be provided with a piece of drawing-paper
ten inches by eight inches (a leaf from a plain drawing-book will
answer the purpose admirably), three very fine white silk handkerchiefs
fifteen inches square, and three colored ones of the same size and
texture. The last of the colored handkerchiefs to appear at the end of
the tube is prepared as follows:--Take a piece of one and one quarter
inches brass tubing, three inches long, and insert it in the middle of
one side of the handkerchief (Fig. 16), by covering it with a piece of
silk of the same color. This piece of silk is extended beyond the tube,
as shown, to form a kind of pocket.
To prepare for the trick push the body of the handkerchief into the
brass tube at the end A, and the other two colored ones on the top of
it. The piece of paper is laid on the table with the tube of
handkerchiefs under its rear edge. The three white handkerchiefs are
then laid across the paper.
To perform the trick stand on the left of your table and take up the
paper with the right hand, the left hand keeping the white
handkerchiefs in front of the tube of colored ones. Draw attention to
the fact that the paper is unprepared, then lay it on the table in such
a manner that it again conceals the tube, and take up the white
handkerchiefs. Show the handkerchiefs, remarking that they are of the
ordinary description, and then lay them on the table. Pick up the
paper, and with it the colored handkerchiefs, which are held behind it
with the thumb of the right hand.
You now form the paper into a tube round the colored handkerchiefs and
hold it in the left hand. Pick up the white handkerchiefs one at a
time, place them in the left hand with the tube, and remark:--"I will
now pass the white handkerchiefs through the cylinder, first, however,
showing you that it is perfectly empty." As you say this you take the
handkerchiefs in the right hand, and as if to illustrate what you say,
place them near the mouth of the tube. This gives you the opportunity
of dropping the colored handkerchiefs into the white ones. The cylinder
is now shown empty, and the white handkerchiefs are pushed into one end
of it; care being taken to introduce the colored ones first, and to
keep them out of sight of the audience. You now grasp the brass tube
tightly through the paper and press the white handkerchiefs into it.
This, of course, pushes out the colored handkerchiefs, which appear at
the other end of the cylinder, the white ones being concealed in the
body of the last colored one.
When performing the trick it is necessary to be careful to insert the
right end of the brass tube into the paper cylinder, otherwise the
experiment would not be successful.
The following is the method of presenting the above trick, with
appropriate "patter":
"For the purpose of my next experiment I shall make use of this
square-looking piece of paper, in which you can see there is nothing
concealed, not even a trap-door. Well, if there was anything concealed
from your view, you would be sure to see it." Laying the paper down and
taking up the handkerchiefs, you continue, "In addition to the paper, I
propose to make use of these three pieces of silk, or silk in pieces,
commonly known as art white squares. I am afraid, however, some people
would prefer to call them subdued white; possibly dirty white, if it
were not for the liberty of the thing, but I know they call them art
white in the stores, because I suppose they find they sell better."
Laying the handkerchiefs down, you take up the paper with the tube
behind it, and, prior to forming the cylinder, remark:--"This
experiment was suggested to me while in England traveling on the
underground railway. I always travel by that line when possible, being
fond of scenery. One day I had occasion to take a return single from
Portland Road to King's Cross; and while passing through those tunnels
I noticed that my linen changed color considerably, which suggested to
me this illustration. With the piece of paper I will form a kind of
tube or tunnel to represent for the time being one of those cavities on
the underground railway."
Make the tube and continue:--"There it is, as free from deception as I
am. I will now take the handkerchiefs" (take up the handkerchiefs from
the table) "and pass them through the cylinder" (drop the colored
handkerchiefs into the white ones and show the tube empty), "first,
however, showing you that it is perfectly empty. Then, having satisfied
you that there are no trains on the line, I will pass the handkerchiefs
through the tunnel."
As the colored handkerchiefs appear at the opposite end of the tube,
remark:--"I may say that I have been getting my living for some
considerable time by conjuring. You will now notice that I am beginning
to dye by it."
MECHANICAL "PULL" FOR VANISHING A HANDKERCHIEF.--The construction of
this contrivance is very simple, and it is absolutely instantaneous in
its action, the quickest eye being unable, even at close quarters, to
detect the flight of the handkerchief.
It consists of two straps, one for each arm, which are buckled on just
above the elbows. One of the straps carries what is known to mechanics
as a "lazy" pulley, working freely in all directions, and provided with
a shield, so that the cord cannot possibly leave the wheel; and the
other carries a metal "D" loop. A cord is tied to the "D" loop, passed
over the back, round the pulley on the left arm, back again and down
the right sleeve; the end of the cord being furnished with a loop to
receive a handkerchief. The apparatus must be attached to the arms
underneath the shirt, and when in such a position that the arms may be
moved about freely, the loop should be in the centre of the back, as
shown in Fig. 17.
[Illustration: Fig. 17.--Mechanical "Pull" for Vanishing
Handkerchief--(a) Leather Strap; (b) Brass Plate; (c) Pivot; (d) Brass
Hinge; (e) Pulley in Shield; (L) Left Arm; (R) Right Arm]
To enable the artist to obtain possession of this loop, a black thread
is passed through it, doubled and carried down the right sleeve, the
two ends hanging out of the cuff so as to be readily found by the
fingers. Having found the thread, the performer pulls it down until the
loop appears, which is forthwith passed round the thumb, the thread
being broken and allowed to fall on the floor. The act of pulling the
cord to secure the loop will pull the elbows close to the sides, where
they must be kept until the handkerchief is to disappear.
Having placed the handkerchief through the loop, which should be of
catgut, being semi-transparent, push it into the glass tube as
described in the next trick, and place the hands one over each end. To
cause the handkerchief to disappear all that is necessary is to move
the elbows away from the sides while making a quick up and down motion
with the glass cylinder, slightly lifting the base of the right hand
from the edge of the glass to allow the silk to pass up the sleeve. In
moving the elbows away from the sides a pull of from three feet to four
feet is put on the cord, the handkerchief flying up the sleeve and
finally occupying a position in the centre of the performer's back.
THE FLYING HANDKERCHIEF.--This is a very surprising trick, and a
favorite with the most noted prestidigitateurs. It depends chiefly for
its effect on the "Mechanical Pull." (Fig. 17.) For its execution you
must be provided with six small silk handkerchiefs (two red, two
yellow, and two green), also two glass cylinders of the kind used for
gas.
The idea of the trick is to cause a red silk handkerchief placed in the
centre of one of the glass tubes, the ends being covered with the
hands, to disappear, and be found between a yellow and a green
handkerchief previously tied together, rolled up into the shape of a
ball, and placed in the other cylinder. It is accomplished thus:
Three of the handkerchiefs, one of each color, are tied together by the
corners, the red being in the centre. They are then rolled up into the
shape of a ball so that the red one cannot be seen, and thus prepared,
are laid on the table behind the other red handkerchief.
The performer now takes the two remaining handkerchiefs, one yellow and
one green, and ties them together, rolling them up to look as near like
the duplicate ball as possible. Holding this ball in the right hand, he
takes up the red handkerchief, and with it the ball of three. He then
takes the red handkerchief in his right hand, passing the ball into the
left, and forthwith pushing it into the glass cylinder on the table.
Under cover of the red handkerchief, however, the balls are exchanged
and that of three is actually placed in the tube.
While going for the other cylinder, which should be on a table at the
rear of the stage, the performer has ample time to dispose of the ball
of two, and to get down the "pull." When introducing the cylinder
remark:--"You see, Ladies and Gentlemen, that the tubes are of the most
ordinary description and perfectly free from preparation; in fact, you
can see right through them. I hope you will not be able to see through
me quite so easily." The red handkerchief is then inserted in the
cylinder, being previously passed through the loop, whence it is caused
to vanish as described. The handkerchiefs are then taken from the tube
on the table, unrolled and shaken out; when, by some unaccountable
means, the red one will appear to have tied itself between the other
two.
BRASS TUBE TO PRODUCE, VANISH, OR CHANGE A HANDKERCHIEF.--This is
really an indispensable piece of apparatus and should be in the
repertoire of every wizard. It consists of a piece of one and one-half
inches of brass tubing four inches long, with two caps of the same
metal to close the ends. A handkerchief is inserted in the tube and the
caps are immediately placed on; but notwithstanding this, the
handkerchief disappears, or can be changed to another of a different
color.
[Illustration: Fig. 18.--Brass Tube for Handkerchief Tricks]
The apparatus really consists of four pieces, the tube and the two
caps, with the addition of a cup, one and one-half inches deep, made to
fit easily into either end of the tube, and provided with a flange as
in the magic pistol already described, to enable the performer to palm
it off, (See Fig. 18). This cup is not provided with a bottom, but is
fitted with a piece of three-quarter inch tape fixed at each side, in
the centre of the tube, in such a manner that a loop hangs down flush
with, and forming a bottom common to, either end of the cup (as at A).
The method employed in changing say a white handkerchief for a red one
being explained, the other uses of the tube will be apparent. Load a
red handkerchief into the cup at the end A, and place it under your
vest, or in the right-hand trousers pocket. Give the tube and caps for
examination, and while they are out of your hands, get possession of
the cup and palm it in your right hand. Take back the tube with the
left hand, pass it into the right, and over the cup; and fit the cap to
the opposite end. Turn over the tube, and with the right hand
apparently place the white handkerchief into it (the handkerchief
really goes into the cup and pushes the red one into the tube,
reversing the tape). Now place the right hand over the cup, reverse the
tube, and remark:--"As the cap has been on this end the whole of the
time, it has not been possible for the handkerchief to escape in that
direction. We will now place a cap on the opposite end of the tube and
we have the handkerchief secure." Saying this, reverse the tube,
palming off the cup while doing so; and while holding the tube in the
same hand, to hide the palm, fit on the cap. Give the tube to some one
to hold and drop the cup into the profonde, or otherwise dispose of it
at the earliest opportunity. On removing the caps the handkerchief will
be found to have changed color.
At this point a good combination trick can be worked by the use of two
duplicate handkerchiefs as follows:--Have a duplicate red handkerchief
hanging over a chair, on the back of which is suspended a network
servante. Another duplicate white handkerchief should be in readiness
in the back of a match-box for producing from the flame of a candle as
previously described.
When handing the gentleman the tube which is supposed to contain the
white handkerchief, you take up the red one from the back of the chair,
and at the same time dispose of the palmed cup by dropping it into the
servante. The red handkerchief is now vanished by sleight of hand, or
can be fired from the magic pistol, and eventually found in the brass
tube.
To account for the disappearance of the white handkerchief you may
remark:--"Oh, I dare say the white handkerchief has jumped out of the
tube to make room for the red one. It has probably found its way into
the candle on the table." To conclude the trick you light the candle
and produce the handkerchief from the flame.
The tube can be used in many ways in combination with other tricks, but
I must leave these to the ingenuity of the performer.
To my friend, Adrian Plate, a wonderfully clever manipulator of cards
and handkerchiefs, I am indebted for the following new handkerchief
tricks, invented and performed by him, and for the first time
explained.
DISAPPEARING HANDKERCHIEF.--Obtain a small red silk handkerchief, also
a loose piece of silk of the same color about one and one-half inches
square. Keep this piece at the corner of the handkerchief with thumb
and first finger. Rub the handkerchief between both hands until you
have succeeded in getting it into small compass, taking care that the
small piece is at the top. Retain the handkerchief in the right hand
and with left hand pull up the right sleeve. Now with right hand pull
up the left sleeve, but leave the handkerchief in the bend of the left
arm, where it will be hidden by the folds of the sleeve, taking care,
however, that the small piece of red silk protrudes from closed right
hand, deluding the spectators into the belief that the handkerchief is
still in your hand,--for do they not see the corner of it? Now rub the
hands together and roll the piece into a small pellet, and palm it
between the bend of the thumb and first finger. Slap your hands
together, and show both sides. This is a most effective illusion, and
will deceive even the conjurers.
[Illustration: Fig. 19.--For Vanishing Handkerchief]
Another clever disappearing trick with a handkerchief is the
following:--Take a piece of flesh-colored thread, and place it about
the right hand, in the manner depicted in the illustration, (Fig. 19).
The dotted lines represent the thread on the outside of the hand. With
this simple device, a silk handkerchief can be apparently placed in the
left hand, when in reality it is stuck between the loop in the right
hand. The right hand can be freely moved. Vanish a handkerchief in
above manner from the left hand, and by grabbing in the air with your
right hand you reproduce the handkerchief.
[Illustration: Fig. 20.--Handkerchief Clamp]
[Illustration: Fig. 21.--Handkerchief Trick]
HANDKERCHIEF FROM TISSUE PAPER.--Take a small bit of soft copper wire,
covered with cotton (_e.g._, a piece of insulated telegraph wire), and
construct a clamp about the size shown in the diagram, (Fig. 20). A
small red silk handkerchief about ten inches square is folded as
compactly as possible and placed between the clamps. By pressing the
wire the handkerchief is kept securely fastened. Place the fake on your
table, the handkerchief pointing toward yourself, (Fig. 21). Now take a
piece of white tissue paper, four and one-half by seven inches, and lay
it over the handkerchief. This arrangement of course is effected before
the performance begins. With your left hand pick up the tissue paper,
and with the latter the fake containing the handkerchief. Now take the
paper in your right hand, which under cover of paper secures the clasp
(part A of fake) between the first and second fingers. The handkerchief
is now on the inside of the right hand, while the hand is perfectly
free in its movements. Exhibit both sides of the paper and smooth it
out. All you have to do now is to crumble the sheet of paper, work out
the handkerchief from the fake and insert the ball of paper into wire
clamp. Then show the handkerchief to the audience, and drop the fake
into your pochette.
[Illustration: Fig. 22.--Handkerchief Trick]
[Illustration: Fig. 23.--Handkerchief Trick]
THE NEW CYLINDERS AND HANDKERCHIEF TRICK.--For this capital trick you
must provide yourself with two glass cylinders closed at one end. They
may be procured from conjuring depots, or constructed out of lamp
chimneys, by cementing glass disks at the ends of the chimneys.
However, the student will find it more satisfactory to purchase these
cylinders from some reliable dealer in magical apparatus. Preferably
they should have rounded bottoms, as depicted in the illustration. The
effect of the trick is as follows:--On your table are two cylinders. In
front of each lies a handkerchief, one yellow, the other red. Now pick
up the left-hand handkerchief (yellow) and place it in the right-hand
cylinder, and the right-hand handkerchief (red) in the left-hand
cylinder, (Fig. 22). Lay the cylinders once more on the table, and make
a little speech about the rapidity with which articles sometimes change
places, under the influence of atmospheric electricity. Pick up the
cylinders, one in each hand, and move the hands quickly apart. In the
same moment the handkerchiefs change places like a flash of lightning.
The secret of this very clever illusion will become apparent on
consulting the diagram, (Fig. 23). The cylinders have little holes in
the bottoms. A strong silk thread is run through them and looped about
the handkerchiefs. A few trials will have to decide the proper length
of this thread. The explanation of this feat is simplicity itself, but
the effect is very bewildering upon an audience. It is one of Plate's
cleverest tricks and is performed by him with artistic finish.
THE HANDKERCHIEF BURNED AND RESTORED.--A clever trick is the
"Handkerchief burned and restored." It was a favorite with the late
Alexander Herrmann, who performed it in the most artistic and graceful
manner. It is a trick of pure sleight of hand, and requires no
apparatus or elaborate preparation, for which reason it is to be highly
commended to those who delight in digital experiments. Says Edwin
Sachs, the eminent English authority on legerdemain:--"If I wanted to
test a conjurer's ability, I should give him this trick to perform."
And yet it is made up of the simplest elements. By attention to the
rudiments of palming, etc., it becomes easy of execution.
You commence operations by requesting the loan of a lady's
handkerchief. Take care to borrow one that is devoid of lace, or
special ornamentation--in other words a plain, white one. You come down
among the audience and extract a lemon from the hair or whiskers of
some gentleman, or better still from a lady's muff. Casually exhibit
the lemon, holding it beneath the nose of one of the spectators,
remarking:--"It is a genuine lemon, as you perceive." Borrow the
handkerchief, then wheeling about toss the lemon to your assistant on
the platform. Now request some gentleman to stand up and rub the
handkerchief between his hands. Advance toward the stage, but suddenly
wheeling about, look at your volunteer assistant, with well simulated
alarm on your face.
"My dear sir," you remark, "what are you doing to that handkerchief?
You are rubbing it the wrong way. Kindly examine it." Much to his
surprise, he finds it in small pieces. You then take the pieces,
expostulating vehemently all the while with the gentleman, for having
spoiled your trick, likewise the lady's handkerchief. The more comedy
you inject into this little scene, the better. Finally you remark, "I
will show you, sir, how to restore the handkerchief." Pass the pieces
back to him, with the request that he rub them gently from "North to
South"; whichever way he performs the absurd movement, you cry: "Here,
here! Stop that! I said from North to South, and you are rubbing from
East to West. Let us see what you have done now." He shows the results
of his handiwork, but instead of the pieces there is now one long strip
of linen. Take this from him, and observe, with a melancholy air: "It
is no use trying. I see that you will never make a magician. Kindly
take your seat, sir, and study the points of the compass, before you
again presume to enter the magic circle."
Offer the strip to the owner of the handkerchief, saying that it is no
fault of yours that it has been ruined. She will naturally refuse to
accept it. Then remark: "Very well, the only thing I can do is to buy
you a new one, next bargain-counter day, but in the meantime let us see
what we can do with this mutilated mouchoir." Return to the stage, pick
up the lemon, which has been placed on the table by your assistant, and
announce that you will shoot the strip of linen into the lemon. Load it
into your funnel-pistol and fire at the lemon. Then cut open the fruit
and take out the dummy handkerchief. Start towards the lady as if to
return it, but stop suddenly and remark, "This handkerchief smells
rather strong of lemon. Shall I perfume it for you, madam?"
Without waiting for an answer place the handkerchief on a plate and
pour perfume over it, but accidentally put on too much. Pick it up, and
show it wet. Say you will dry it a little before returning it. Light a
candle, and while holding the handkerchief over the flame it ignites.
Drop it on the plate and offer it to the owner. Of course she will
refuse to accept it. Smother the fire and again offer the burned
remnants to the lady, making all sorts of excuses for the accident. As
she again rejects your offer, say that you will put the ashes in a
paper for her. Lay the plate on the stage, and go to your table for a
piece of newspaper. In the meantime your assistant creates a small
diversion by endeavoring to pick up the hot plate and place it on the
table. Several times he burns (or pretends to burn) his fingers,
dropping the plate, but finally succeeds. By this time you have come
forward with the piece of newspaper. Roll up the ashes in the paper,
and remark, "Here, madam, is what is left of your handkerchief. I
present it to you as a small souvenir of the entertainment. What, you
won't receive it?" Tear open the paper and take out the handkerchief
fully restored. Present it to the lady with your best compliments, and
you will be greeted with applause.
The following is the secret of this ingenious trick:
Take a lemon and prepare it by cutting a plug-shaped piece out of one
end. Now dig out all the pulp. Stuff an old handkerchief or piece of
square linen into the lemon, after which replace the plug and secure it
with pins. Palm the lemon in your right hand, holding the lapel of your
coat the better to conceal the fruit as you come down among the
audience. Under the waistband of your vest, on the left side, you have
secreted a bundle of about a dozen pieces of white muslin--say, three
inches square--and on the right side a strip of about three inches wide
and a yard long. On your table have a double piece of newspaper, about
a foot square, pasted together on three sides, so that it forms a sort
of bag, but appears like a single thickness. Also have on the table two
plates, a magic pistol, a perfume bottle filled with alcohol, a candle
and a candle-stick. After producing the lemon from the gentleman's
whiskers, take the lady's handkerchief in the left hand. As you turn
toward the stage to throw the lemon tuck the handkerchief under your
vest in the middle and pull out the pieces and long strip from under
the vest. Give the pieces to the gentleman who is to assist you, but
retain the slip. A judicious use of the wand will enable you to better
conceal the palmed linen, and to effect the several changes in an
indetectible manner. While explaining to the gentleman how to restore
the handkerchief, substitute the pieces for the long strip and give him
that to hold. Get rid of the pieces in your profonde. All is now plain
sailing until you arrive at the incident of the newspaper. While your
assistant is working with the supposedly hot plate, you will have ample
opportunity for stuffing the original handkerchief into the paper bag,
smoothing it out as flat as you can. Wrap up the ashes, and finally
tear open the paper through the outer thickness. The ashes will be
concealed by the inner cover. Crumple up the paper and throw it
carelessly on the stage.
Some performers go behind the scenes to obtain the paper, and effect
the concealment of the original handkerchief, but this is unnecessary,
besides it detracts from the effect of the experiment. The diversion
created by your assistant with the hot plate will afford you ample
opportunity to get the handkerchief into the paper.