The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-10-18
Houdin's Tricks.


One of the most adroit jugglers of the
present age was Robert Houdin, q Frepch
man who for many years gave fashionable
entertainments in Paris. HOudin wrote
his autobiography, and related many cur
ions feats performed by him in the course
of his professional career, On one occasion
he was invited to display bis art before
King Louis Philippe and his court at the cha
teau of st. Cloud. Houdin invented a trick
especially for this royal and noble assem-
blage, aud received nnbounded appplause
for his success. He borrowed from the King
and his courters six handkerchief, which
he made into a parcel and laid on the table.
Then at his request different persons wrote
on cards the pames of places whittier they
desired their handkerchiefs to be invieibly
transported. When this was done he beg
ged the King TO take three Of the cards at
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 handkerchiefs to be
found beneath one Of the candelabra on the
nsantetpicce.' An that is too easy for
sorcerer, 40 we will pass on to the next
card The handkerchief are to be trans
ported to the dome Of the Involides.' That
would suit US, but Ir is much too far-not
for the handkerchiefs, but for Us. All, all !"
the King added, as Ire looked at the last
card, 81 am afraid, Monsieur Robert Hou-
u1us am aOOuG I'D enOaTraSS you. bO you
know what this card proposes 2" Houdin,
with a respectful bow, declared that he
did not. SWELL" responded His Majesty,
cit is desired that you send the handker-
chiefs to 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 will obey" The
King gave certain directionsin low voice,
and Immediately number of his atten-
dants hurried off to the orange tree to
watch it. He then said, 81 select the or
ange tree" Houdin's first business now
was to send the handkerchief on their
travels. So he placed them beneath bell,
of opaque glass, and taking his wand or
dered them to fly to the spot the King had
chosen. He raised the bell, the little parcel
was longer there, and a 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. ''Ah !!
Monsieur Robert Houdin," he said, ironi-
oally. ST fear much for the virtue of your
| magic staff" Then he added, as he re-
eral servants were standing "Teli Will
| liam to dig Immediately below the last
| tree at the end of the avenue and bring
| me carefully what he fipds there-if he
does find anything" The attendant pro-
| ceeded 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 appearance of
having been in the ground many years
This curious Find" was cleaused from it's
mould and brought in and placed by the
King. The greatest excitement and i'm
patience prevailed on all sides. Hou-
din brought perched on his finger,
the dove 10 the king, and around
it's neck His Majesty discovered a
little rusty key. At the desire of the con-
iurer he unloosed it and opened the box.
The first object that met his eye was
time discoloie ed piece of parchment, upon
winch he read This day, the 9th ofJune,
1856, this iron boz, containing sir handler
chiefs. ,cas placed among the roots Of an
orange tree By me, Balsanto, Count Of Gag
liostro, to SerUe in performing an act of
magic, achich 1ritt be executed on the same
dan sirty gears hence before Louis Philippe
of Orleans and his family" 'sThere is GER
t,inly wltchcraft about this" cried the
King, and then lie looked again and found
in the box parcel sealed with the we'll
known seal OF the famous Cagliostro. he
broke it and opened the parcel, and there
we're tho six haDkerchiefs which but five
minutes before were lying on the conjurer's
table
Ioudin was employed by the French
Government to go to Algeria On novel
mission. The Marabout priests exercised
great influence over the natives, because
they were able to perform certain feats of
jugglery, which they pretended proved
their divine power. These Maraoouts
were enemies of the French and encourag
ed turbulence among the Arabs. The gov
eprnment thought that it might be good
stroke of policy to send Houdin through
the colony performing his miracles and
demonstrating to the natives that French
sorcerer was greater than an Arab sorcerer.
Accordingly Houdin appeared before large
audiences, beginning in the city of Algeria.
At the first of these performances he in
troduced box which became heavy or
light at his order. This box was brought
bY him to the footlights and while holding
it in his hands he declared to his hearers
that he possessed the power to deprive the
most powerful man of his strength and re-
-L..o a. vr,;ll He invitad anv nn6 who