Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1874-11-12
MAGIC.
HOudin'S TrickS-MOre Wonder
fill than Spiritual Manifesta-
tiOnS.

New York Herald.
One of the most adroit iugglers oi
the present age was Robert llondin
Frenchman, who for many Years
gave fashionable entertainments in
Paris. Hondin wrote his autobiogra-
ply, and related many curious feats
performed by him in his professional
career. On one occasion he was in
vited to display his art before King
Louis Philippe and his court, at the
chateau of st. Cloud. Houdin in
vented trick especially for this
royal and noble assemblage, and re
ceived unbounded applause for his
success. He borrowed from the
King and courtiers six handker-
chiefs. which he made into Il parcel
and laid on the table. Then ut his
request different persons wrote on
cards the name of the place whittier
they desired their handkerchiefs to be
invisibly transported. When this
was done he begged the King to take
three of the cards ut hazard, and
choose from them the place he might
consider the most suitable. Let me
see," said Louis Philippe, what
this one says. Il desire the handker
chiefs to he found beneath one of the
candelahra on the mantlepiece. All!
that is too easy for a socerer, so we
will pass on to the next card: The
handkerchiefs are to be transported
to the dome of the Intalides. That
would suit us, but it is much too far
not for the handkerchicfs, but for
us. All, ah." the king added, as he
looked at the last card, II am afraid
Monsieur Robert HOudin, | am about
to embarrass you. Do you
know what this card proposes
Houdin, with respectful bow, de-
clared that he did not. Well re-
sponded His Majesty, lit is desired
that you send the handkerchiefs to a
spot beneath the roots of the last
orange tree on the right of the avenue
of st. Cloud" Houdin affected the
utmost nonchalance, ''Only that,
sire" he said. "Deign to order, and
l will obey" The king gave certain
directions in Il low voice, and imme-
diately Il number of his attendants
hurried off to the orange tree to
watch it. He then said, II select the
orange tree" HOudin's first bust
ness now was to send the handker
chiefs ON their travels. So he placed
them beneath q bell of Opaque glass,
and taking his wand ordered them to
fly to the spot the King had chosen.
He raised the bell, the little parcel
was no longer there, and Il white tur-
tie dove had taken its place. The
King then walked quickly TO the
door, whence he looked in the direc
tion Of the orange tree to assure him
self that the guards were there, and
when this was done he began to
smile and shrug his shoulders. "Ah.
Monsieur Robert Houdin," he said
ironically, 81 fear much for the virtue
of your magic staff" Then he ad
ded, as he returned to the end of the
room where several servants were
standing, "Tell William to dig imme-
diately below the last tree at the end
of the avenue and bring me carefully
what he finds there-if he does find
anything" The attendant proceed
ed to the orange tree. The earth at
the side of the tree was carefully re-
moved, and down among the roots,
after much grouping, a small iron
box, eaten with rust, was found. 1t
bore every appearance of having been
in the ground many years. This Gu
rious '.fnd'' was cleansed from its
mould and brought in and placed by
the side of the king. The greatest
excitement and impatience prevailed
on all sides. Houdin brought, perch
ed on his finger, the dove to the king,
and around its neck his majesty dis
covered little rusty key. At the
desire of the conjurer he unloosened
it and opened the box. The first OBJ
ject that met his eye was a timedis-
colored piece of parchment, upon
which he read: "This day, the 9th
of June, 1856, this iron box, contain
ing six handkerchiefs, was placed
among the roots of an orange tree by
me Balsamo, Count of Cagliostro, to
serve in performing an act of magic,
which will be executed on the same
day sixty years hence, before Louis
Philippe, of Orleans, and his fami-
ly." There is certainly witcheraft
about this" cried the king, and he
looked again and found in the bottom
of the box a parcel sealed with a
well-known seal of the famous Cagli-
ostro. He broke it and opened the
parcel, and there were the six hand
kerchiefs which but five minutes be-