The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-11-26

70 move the automaton appeared before |
him he gazed upon the wheels he had
made; they, too, were his children, and
he smiled the fathers smile. Every
Thursday his wife and children spent the
evening with him, and every Sunday he
dlned with them Work and solitary
musings filed up the rest. More than
tweive-month passed, and the autamaton
Was now complete. Houdin thus des-
cribes it:
AFTER many doubts as to the success of
my enterprise, the solemn moment arrived
when l should make the first trial of my
writer. | had spent the whole day in
giving the last touches to the automatou,
which sat before me as if awaiting my or
ders, aud prepared to answer the ques-
tions | asked it. l had only to press the
spring in order to enjoy the long awaited
result. My heart beat violently, and
though was alone, trembled with emo
ton at the mere thought Of this imposing
trial. had just laid the first sheet Of
paper before my writer, and asked him
the question, Who is the author of your
being l pressed the spring and the
clock work began acting l dared hardly
breathe through fear of disturbing the op-
erations. The automaton bowed to me,
and could not refrain from smiling on it
as on my own son. But when | saw the
eye fix an attentive glance on the paper
when the arm, few seconds before mute
and lifeless, began to move and trace my
signature in firm hand writing, the tears
started to my eyes, and fervently
thanked heaven for granting me such sue
cess.
"And it was not alone the satisfaction |
experienced as an inventor, but the GER
tainty l had of being able to restore some
degree of comfort to my family, that
caused my deep feeling of gratitude. AT
ter making my automaton repeat my sig
nature thousand times, 1 gave it this
next question: What o'clock is it p The
automaton, acting in obedience to clock,
wrote, 1t is two o'clock in the morning.
This was a very timely warning. prof
tied by it and went straight to bed
Against my expectations, enjoyed a
sleep had not known for a long time"
Houdin visits Algiers, and has trial
of skill with the Marabouts, or conjurers,
of that country. Here is his account
After having performed the trick of
suffering an Arab to fire at me with a
loaded pistol, the ball appearing inside
an apple in my hand, Ijourneyed into the
interior, and there met several Marabouts,
one of whom told me that he was not to
be deceived.
"Why so Pr
Because don't believe in your pow
err"
"Ah indeed Well, then, if you don't
believe in my power, will compel you to
believe in my skill"
Neither in one nor in the other"
was at this time the whole length of
the room from the Marabout.
"Stay !" said to him; "you see this
FIVE franc piece ?''
"Yes."
"Close your hand firmly, for the piece
will go into it in spite of yourself"
am ready" the Arab said, in an in
credulous voice, as he held out his tightly
closed fist. took the piece at the end
of my fingers, so that the assembly might
all see it; then feigning to throw it at the
Marabout, it disappeared at the word
Pass !" My man opened his hand, and
finding nothing in it, shrugged his shoul-
ders, as if to say You see, told you
so ~
l was we'll aware it was not there, but
it was important to throw the Marabout's
attention from his sash, and for this pur-
pose l employed the feint.
"That does not surprise me-" replied,
''for L threw the piece with such strength
that it went right through your hand, and
has fallen into your sash. Being afraid |
might break your watch by the blow, l
called it to me. Here it is!'' and l showed
him the watch in my hand. The Mara
bout quickly put his hand in his belt, to
assure himself of the truth, and was quite
stupefed at finding the five franc piece.
The spectators were astounded. Some
of them began telling their beads, but the
Marabout frowned without saying word.
"Inow believe in your power" he said;
"you are real sorcerer;" and offering me
two pistols he held concealed under his
burnous, he added, "Come, choose one of
these pistols we will load it, and will
fire it at you. You have nothing to fear,
for saw you perform this trick at your
own theatre"
confess | was for moment staggered;
sought subterfuge, and found none.
All eyes were fixed upon me, and a reply
was anxiously awaited.
At last I thought of an idea which
would save me from my dilemma, at least
temporarily. "To morrow morning." said
l, "at eight O'Clock, will allow you tc
fire at me in the presence of these Arabs
who were witnesses of your challenge u
The Marabout, surprised at my compli-
ance, assented, and summoned all the
company to be present.
By eight the next morning we had
breakfasted, and on entering the hall we
found none of the guests were absent In
deed, great number of Arabs came in to
swell the crowd.
The pistols were handed me; / called
attention to the fact that the vents were
clear, and the MarabOut put in a fail
+ charge of powder, and drove the wac
home. Among the bullets produced,
chose one which openly put in the pis
tol, and which was then also covered witt
paper.
, The Arab watched all these movements
, for his honor was at stake. We wen
through the same movements with tn
second pistol, and the solemn moment ar
, rived.
5 Solemn indeed it seemed to everybody
. to the spectators, who were uncertain 0
the issue-to Madame Houdin, who ha
0 in vain besought me to give up this trick
+ for she feared the result; and solemn ais
to me, for as my trick did not depend o
Q my arrangements heretofore tried, feare
. an error-an act of treachery-I kno'
o not what.
Still / posted myself at fifteen pac'
> e.,r, the sheik without eyidencing Ill