The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-10-18
AN ADROIT JUGGLER.
ONE OF HoUDIN'S TRICKS.

l One of the most adroit jugglers of the present
. age was Robert Houdin, Frenchman, who fo
many years gave fashionable entertainments il
Paris. Houdin wrote his autobiography. and re-
lated many curious feats performed by him in the
!, course OF his professional career On one occa.
sion he was invited to display his art before King
Louis Philippe and his court at the chateau of St.
this royal and noble assemblage. and received nm.
Cloud. Houdin invented trick especially for
bounded applause for his success. He Dor
rowed from the King and his courtiers six hand
kerchiefs, which he made into parcel and laid
on the table. Then at his request different per-
they desired their handkerchiefs to be invisibly
transported.
When this was done he begged the King to take
three OF the cards at hazard and chose from them
the place he might consider the most suitable
Let me see," said Louis Philippe, "what this
one says, Il desire the handkerchiefs to be found
| beneath one Of the candelabra on the mantle
piece, All that is too easy for a sorcerer, so
we vii. pass on to the next card. "Tho and
kerchiefs are to be transported to the dome of
the Invalides." That would suit us, but it is
much too far--not for the handkerchiefs. but for
US. 'Ah, ali: the King added, as he looked at
The last card, 81 am afraid, Monsieur Robert
L houan am M; about to embarrass you Do you
respectful bow, declared that he did not
well, responded His Majesty, cit is desired
that you send the handkerchief to spot be-
meath the roots of the last orange tree on the
Houdin affected the utmost nonehalance
Only that, sire" he sad "Deign to ORDER and
Will obey" The KING gave certain directions
IN a low voice, and Immediately number of his
attendants hurried oft to the orange tree to
tree" Houdin's first business now was to send
the handkerchiefs on their travels. So he placed
them beneath 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 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 there, and when this was
done he began to smile and shrug his shoulders
All! Monsieur Robert Houdn he said. roni-
caily 81 fear much for the virtue Of your ma gic
staff"
Then he added, as he returned to the end OF
Tel William to Dig Immediately 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 proceeded to the
orange tree. The earth at the side of the tree
was carefully removed, and down among the
roots, after much CROPPING, small iron box,
eaten with rust, was found. 1t bore every ap-
pearance of having been in the ground manv
years. This curious find - was cleansed from
it's mould and brought in and placed by the side
Of the King. The greatest excitement and impa-
tience prevailed on all sides. Houdin brought.
perched ON his finger, the dove to the King and
around Its neck his Majesty discovered little
'usty key.
At the desire Of the conjurer he Embossed it
md opened the box. The first object that met
lis eye was time -discolored piece Of parchment
lpon which he read: ''This day, the 9Th June
1856, this iron box, containing six handkerchief
vas placed among the roots of an orange tree,
y me, Asamo, Count Of Casliostro, to serve in
an act OF magic, which will be exc
uted on the same day, SIX years hence, before
1ouis Philippe Of Orleans and his family"
There is certainly witchcraft abou. this" cried
be King, and then he looked again, and found {
the bottom OF the box parcel sealed with the ]
'ell-known seal of the famous Cagliostro. he
roke it and opened the parcel, and there were }
he six handkerchiefs, which but five minutes .
efore were lying on the conjurers table. Was
OF this trick as remarkable as the producing of a
Katie King" from dark cabinet? t