Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1866-07-20
From the Binghampton Republican.
How the Countryman sold" the
French Necromancer.

French Necromancer.
Robert Houdin, who has world wide
reputation ai the greatest prestigiator OF
the age, and who gave such a highly sue
cessful exhibition of his powers at the
Academy of Music last evening to de-
lighted audience, was this morning made
a victim of very neat joke at his ex-
pense. Mr.. Houdin is the very soul of
geniality, extremely affable in his dcport-
ment, modest in dcmeanor, and in all re-
spects a gentleman. He was in the office
of the Exchange Hotel, quietly looking
over newspapers, when he was accosted
by tall, gaunt specimen of Susqueha-
ma lumberman, who exclaimed:
81 say, you. Guess you had 'em last
night. Them are tricks oyourn beat all
creation. had to snicker right out in
meetin'. Darned if / could help it.
There was an uncouth politeness about
the man which at once recommended him
to Houdin, who replied, So you were
pleased with the performance"
aPleased! Jerusalem, stranger, I was
nigh tickled TO death TO see them fellers
dance so; and then that drink Of whis-
key; golly, wasn't that first rate 2"
Il am glad to hear that you were graf
ified,' quietly responded Houdin. sit is
the aim Of my exhibitions to amuse and
instruct those who attend them"
BY this time number of gentlemen
had gathered around the parties, expect
ing something rich" from a peculiar
twinkle which appeared in the great con-
jurors eye.
Houdin continued, "Oh, sir, the tricks
l performed last night are really nothing
to some have the power TO exhibit
Wall, that beats all natur," replied
the man. "Nhat on airth can you do
stranger to beat what you done last night
! don't want to be curious, but ] rather
guess you can't do anything right here
that'll lay over what you did in the show
place. Guess you had things fixed about
right up there
Houdin thought he had customer
and concluded that he would astonish hi:
weak nerves. lie then very quietly
asked:
I" Have you such a thing as an OLD
fashioned penny about you p
"Wall, guess / have. Let's see ]" ant
after searching about his pockets, he pro-
duced the coin. "There, stranger" sale
he, "there's the contribution. What il
the name O snakes can you do with tha
| penny"
"Change it to ten dollar piece" re
piled Houdin.
81 guess not"
Nothing more easy. A mere Sigh
of hand trick"
III bet you two dolla S and half 20,
can't do it."
'sDone," said Houdin, who now reall,
began tp relish the fun, but with no inten
ton of taking the mans money.
| The money was properly deposited an
Houdin said, Snow hold out your hand"
The penny was apparently placed i
the extended palm, and the hand wa
closed with convulsive energy.
"Presto, papp," said the great mag
clan. snow open your hand"
He did SO, and TO his utter astonisl
ment found ten dollar gold piece.
" Well sir,' said Houdin, you see yo
have lost your money"
II guess l have" said the man with
bewildered air.
"Now," said Houdin, an bet you
dollar I can change the ten dollar gol
piece into your cent again."
"No you DON'T" said the countrymal
placing the ten dollar gold piece in b
pocket, and buttoning his coat up tigh
Pm obliged to you, Professor, but
, reckon I'll leave it as it is. I'm jus
satisfied tha, yer might do it. Goo
, morning, sir; I'll come up and see yo
to night, sure"
| Houdin's turn came TO be astonishe,
but he shirked the joke, saying in his usu
. ally quiet way, "The man who manage