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

lll III billo lillt tIhb 1nhioh
Jugglory" is famous the world over,
and their wonderful dexterity in oil
matters requiring unusual slight-of-
hand has passed into universal pro.
verb. A visit at the house of a veal
thy Hindoo, on the occasion of his
sons marriage, gave mo 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 noarly lakh of ru-
pees, or some forty'flve 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 son. During
tho day the time was divided between
eating, dancing, theatrical exhibitions,
concerts, gambling and jugglcry, and
at night there was always u 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 1ve 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, and per
ceived that it was g. genuine mango
tree, having but two imperfoctly do
yeleped leaves, with portion of the
seed still adhering. In half an hour
wo 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 rapid
ly as they could be plucked and cat
en-.
A bronze basin of clear water, which
we had the privilege Of examining,
was placed on stand and though,
when wo trust in our hands, there was
found nothing but the water, in q lit
Nic NhiiO !" bhnS5 iiilCNub iobuS VI NaIcT
lilly sprsng 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 ID ecstasy.
Young and old even the natives, who
had all seen the wonders before, clap
pad their hands with delight; only
the magician himself was quito re-
ticont. Presently he held up piece
of yellow tissue paper, perhaps sN
inches square, and aftor turning
round and round in various positions,
he formed OFT quito n natural.looll
ing butterfly on his open palm, and 80
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, no tarted it into apparent life.
First, it moved slowly toward the fan,
as if testing its powers of locomoti0n,
then tripped more lightly along the
edge, and finally bore away, wheeling
and dipping toward vase of flowers
that stood near, then floating away in
very wantonness, and presently return
ing, lighting and coquetting among
the dainty blossoms like thing of
life, the wings fairly quivering with ex-
citement. 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
hoated, but always within tho charm
ed circle about the conjuror's head,
sometimes kissing his cheeks and lips,
together or singly lighting ON the out
spread fan or returning to hutter
among the flowers, then flirting or
coquetting with each other, putting
their tiny he S&is together in mutual
caroSscs, an shaking their gauzy
wings with ID the pretty airs and
graces of liI - ilirts. The scene end
ed by the aagician taking small
peal bex 0 of his bosom, opening it
and holdiI II toward the butterflies.
They see Ed to observe the downy
cotton wi which the box was lined,
and in q ing curves they moved to.
wards j Ind crouchsd down, with
wings 81 81 outspread, upon the dainty
couch pared for them. The jug
gler cl j tho box at once, and as he
did SO { saw seated upon the top, n
live q Try that carolled forth sweet
songs htil its little throat seemed
read split, as if striving to com.
pen for the departure of our but
ter avorites. Suddenly the song of
joyI Jas changed into piercing notes
th betokened horror or alarm, and
vi aw at the conjuror's feet a deadly
q a di capella, coiled as if 10 slfing,
with its glaring eyes fixed Vp1n the
| LII That sanmad SMELL -hnLnl II Lhe