The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1873-01-15
INDIAN JUG0I.EHY,

Wi ihiSio WHO Ntiab 4hhleeli
Jugglory" is famous the world over,
and their wonderful dexterity in oil
matters requiring unusual slight-of-
hand has passed into a universal pro-
verb. A visit at the house of a veal
thy Hindoo, on the occasion of his
sons marriage, gave me an opportu-
nifty Of witnessing some of their rarest
feats in this line. The wedding festiv-
ties comprised two whole weeks OF
banquets, professions and entertain
ments of all sorts, with most ex-
travagant display of jewels and
torches, flowers and silks along> the
pathway of tho bridal party, the WHOLE
costing, it is said nearly lakh of ru-
pces, or some forty.ave thousand dol
lars. But, then, tho bridegroom was
an only son, and there is no other oc-
casion on which an Oriental will SO
lavishly pour out his wealth as the
birth or marriage of q son. During
tho day the time was divided between
eating, dancing, theatrical exhibitions,
concerts, gambling and jugglcry, and
at night there was always brilliant
display of fireworks while the festival
lasted. But of all, the jugglery was
most wonderful. Grass seed was sown
before our eyes, and in ave minutes
after beautiful green lawn of smooth
shaven grass lay at our feet, A tiny,
two-lcaved plant was handed us to
look at. We saw and felt it, aud per-
ceived that it was q genuine mango
tree, having but two imperfcctly do
veleped leaves, with a portion Of the
seed still adhering. In half an hour
VIC ate the mangoes plucked apparent
ly from this very tree, which had
seemed to grow before our eyes till it
had lowered above our heads, budded,
blossomed and bore fruits that turned
from green to golden almost as randi
ly as they could be plucked and eat
en-.
A bronze basin of clear water, which
we had the privilege of examining,
was placed on stand and though,
when We trust in our hands, there was
found nothing but the water, in a lit
tie while magnificent lotus or water
lilly sprang up therein, aud 10! its
huge blossoms, pink-hued and fra
grant, were before us-mammoth flow
ers, eighteen inches in diameterl
Tho spectators were 10 ecstasy.
Young and old even the natives, who
had all seen the wonders before, clap
pod their hands with delight; only
the magician himself was quito re-
ticont. Presently he held up q piece
of yellow tissue paper, perhaps sh
inches square, and aftor turning
round and round in various positions,
he formed Of 1T quito n natural.looll
ing butterfly on his open palm, and 30
arranged two wax lights as to allow
him to wavo fan rapidly between
them without affecting the flame, and
then by more gentle motion over the
insect, ho tarted it into apparent life.
First, it moved slowly toward the fan,
ss if testing its powers of locomotion,
then tripped more lightly along the
edge, and finally bore away, wheeling
and dipping toward a vase of flowers
that stood near, then floating away in
very wantonness, and presently return
ing, lighting and coquetting among
the dainty blossoms like Il thing of
life, the wings fairly quivering with ex-
element. Just then a mate was sup
piled to the lonely excursionist by the
same magic power that had given the
first its fail being; and together the
fairy tourists set forth on their travels.
Round and round they wheeled and
floated, but always within tho charm
ed circle about the conjuror's head,
sometimes kissing his cheeks and lips,
together or singIy lighting on the out
spread fan or returning to fiutter
among the flowers, then flirting or
coquetting with each other, putting
their tiny heSls together in mutual
caresses, am shaking their gauzy
wings with M the pretty airs and
graces of lily flirts. The scene end
ed by the |agician taking small
peal bex 0 of his bosom, opening it
and holdlI u Toward the butterflies.
They see 81 to observe the downy
cotton WI which the box was lined,
and in G ing curves they moved to.
wards Ind crouchsd down, with
wings 81 outspread, upon the dainty
couch pared for them. The Jug
gler q d tho box at once, and as he
did SO ; saw seated upon the top,
live Try that carolled forth sweet
songs ntil its little throat seemed
read split, as if striving to com.
pepj for the departure of our but
ter hvorites. Suddenly tho song Of
joy sas changed into piercing notes
th betokened horror or alarm, and
W Rw at the conjuror's feet deadly
q b di capella, coiled as if to spfing,
with its glaring eyes fixed Vp5a the
d. that seemed SMELL -hOund 5M the