New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1859-11-08


quietly, and directly voice made the following m
\ quiry in the most aifable manner:
| g Monsieur Robert Houdin, may De permitted
| to come in? ~
! 7 turned nv head in the direction, and recog-
| missed the king, who, having asked the question
merely as d form of Introduction, had not waited
| for my reply to walk forward to me.
| bowed respectfully.
4 Have You all you require for your prepare
I tons ~ the king asked me.
Yes sire; the steward Of the chateau supplied
me with skilled workmen, who speedily put up this
little stage
MY tables, consoles and tabourets, as well as the
various instruments for my performance symmetri-
cally arranged on the stage, already presented an
elegant appearance.
This is all very pretty" the king said to me,
drawing near the stage, and casting a stealthy
glance at some of my apparatus 81 see with
pleasure that the artist of 1916 will justify the good
opinion produced by the mechanician of 1871
!" Sire replied, g on this day will strive as
did two years ago. to render myself worthy of the
great favor your majesty designs to bestow me
BY witnessing my performance"
:" Your sons second sight is said to be very sur
prisingn the king continued; /" but warn YOU.
Monsieur Robert Houdin, to be on your guard for
we intend to cause you considerable difficulties"
Sire. replied, boldly, " have every reason
for believing that my son will surmount them
II should be vexed were it otherwise the king
said, with a tinge OF incredulity, as he retired.
/" Monsieur Robert Houdin, }" he added, as he closed
the door after him, 81 shall feel obliged by your
punctuaity."
At O'Clock precisely, when the royal family
and the numerous guests We're assembled the cur
tains that concealed me opened, and appeared on
the stage. Owing to my repeated performances, |
had fortunately acquired an imperturbable assu
rance, and confidence in myself, which the sue
cess of my experiments fully justified.
began in the most profound silence, for the
party evidently wished to see and judge before
I giving me any encouragement. But, insensiby
they became excited, and heard several excla-
still more expressive demonstrations.
4 All my tricks were fayorably received, and the
one had invented for the occasion gained me I'M
bounded applause. Ia
+ will give description of it:
| borrowed from my noble spectators several
handkerchief, which made into a parcel, and
laid on the table. Then, at my request, different
persons wrote on the cards the names of places
whittier they desired the handkerchiefs to be in
visibly transported.
When this had been done, begged the king to
take three of the cards at hazard, and choose
from them the place he might consider the most
suitable.
4 .sLet us see,'' Louis Philippe said what this
one says: g desire the handkerchiefs to be found
beneath one of the candelabras on the mantle
piece" That is too easy for sorcerer: so we will
pass to the next card: The handkerchiefs are to
be transported to the dome of the Invalidesr That
would suit me, but it is much too far not for the
handerchiefs, but for us. .Ah, ah'' the king
added, looking at the last card, am afraid Mon
sieur Robert Houdin, am about to embarrass you.
Do You know what the card proposes?"
.sWill your majesty deign to inform me?''
It is desired that you should send the handker-
chiefs into the chest of the last orange tree on the
right of the avenue.n
q Only that, sire? Deign to order, and I will
obey"
6 Very good, then; should like to see such
magic act; | therefore choose the orange tree
Chest
The king gave some orders in low voice. and /
w M tn tha tra
in order to watch it, and prevent any fraud.
was delighted at this precaution, which must
add to the effect of my experiment, for the trick
was already arranged and the precaution hence too
late.
/ had now to send the handkerchiefs on their
travels, SO placed them beneath bell of opaque
glass, and, taking my wand, | ordered my invisible
travellers to proceed to the spot the king had
chosen. 5l&4
raised the bell the little parcel was no longer
there, and white turtle dove had taken its place.
The king then walked quickly to the door, whence
he looked in the direction Of the orange tree to
assure himself that the guards were at their post
when this was done, he began to smile and shrug
his shoulders.
All, Monsieur Robert Houdin," he said some
what ironically, much fear for the virtue of your
magic STAFF Then he added, as he returned to
the end of the room where several servants were
standing, " Tell William to open Immediately the
last chest at the end of the avenue, and bring me
carefully what he finds there-if he does find any
thing.n
William soon proceeded to the orange tree, and
though much astonished at the orders given him,
he began to carry them out. ,
He carefully removed one of the sides of the
chest, thrust his head in, and almost touched the
roots of the tree before he found anything All at
once he uttered cry of surprise, as he drew out
o small Golfer eaten by rust.
This curious "fnd,'' after having been cleaned
from the mold, was brought in and placed on a
small ottoman by the kings side.
e. ell n Tn,Iic
lippe said to me, with movement of impatient
curiosity, "here is box; am to conclude it con-
tains the handkerchiefg'
Yes, sir" ! replied, with assurance, and
they have been there, too, for long period
How can that be? the handkerchiefs were lent
you scarce quarter of an hour ago."
81 cannot deny it, sire; but what would my
magic power avail me if | could not perform in
tricks? Your ma esty will doubt
less be still more surprised, when l prove to your
satisfaction that this Golfer well as its contents
was deposited in the chest Of the orange tree sixty
years ago."
king replied, with smile: but that is impossible,
and must therefore, ask for proofs of yonr as
sertion."
+" If your majesty will be kind enough to open
this casket they will be supplied"
" Certainly but shall require key for that"
:. 1t only depends on YOURSELF sire, to have one.
Deign to remove it from the neck of this turtle
dove, which has just brought it to you"
Louis Pmhppe uuastened a ribbon that held
small rusty key, with which he fastened to unlock
the Golfer.
The first thing that caught the kings eye was a
parchment, on which he read the following state
ment:
n, This day the 9Th June, 1856, z.... r..
This iron box containing six handkeces placed among
70 serve IN performing act Of magic which will be executed
his family ~ ~ if $3.50
There is decidedly witeheraft about this,' the
king said, more and more amazed Nothing is
wanting, for the seal and signature of the cele
brated sorcerer are placed at the foot of this state
lnent; which, heaven pardon me, smells strongly
of sulphur
At this jest the audience began to laugh.
But. the king added, taking out of the box
earefully-sealcd packet, "can the handkerchiefs
BY any possibility be in this n
Indeed, sire, they are; but, before opening the
parcel would request your majesty to notice that
~ also bears the impression of Cagliostro's SEAL"
Inns seal, once rendered so famous by being
placed on the celebrated alchemsts bottle of elixir
anu liquid OF gold, had obtained from Torrin who
ha g, been an old friend of Cagliostro's
u Is certainly the same,'' my royal spectator
answered, after comparing the two seals. Still in
ms lnpatence to learn the contents of the parcel
tne KING quickly tore open the envelope and soon
aisplayed before the astonished spectators the six
hsa:m'dkefcmefs, which, few moments before were
still on my table, "o''
:. lady who makes but modest spread Of erino.
| me was passing along the street in Richmond the
osner gay, when she was met by a young man full
~ pau WHISKY, who in staggering past stepped on