Richmond weekly palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1875-1905, 1875-12-09

The conjurerS and acrobatS OF India
are tribe by themselves, resembling
the gypsies of Europe, and, being sub
tie and crafty, are despised, yet feared,
by the common people. They are won +.
derfully expert in the performance OF
their tricks and feats of strength, some
of which remain inexplicable, even to
the intelligence of the acute European.
One of the most striking OF their rises
that of the basket and the chiid-is
thus described:
A child or years old, standing up
right in the basket, writhes in con-
vulslons under the influence OF music,
and disappears slowly into the interior,
which is barely large enough to contain
it. Scarcely is it inside when the mu-
slcians throw themselves upon 1T, close
the lid, and pierce the basket in every
direction with their long knives They
strike with all their might, until, the
bamboo giving way, the basket Is COM
pletely fiattened, and seems no longer
capable of containing anything. They
then reform the circle and resume
their chant; to which a voice now re-
spends from the forest. The sound
gradually approaches, and at last seems
to come from the basket, which be-
comes more and more distended; the
lid is removed, and the child springs
out.
The top-trick is also exceedingly puz-
zling. The juggler gives the top a Wig
Orous whirl, and places it on the point
of stick balanced upon his forehead
or nose. In this position, without any
further interference from the juggler,
the top suspends its spinning, and re-
news it again, at the bidding of the
spectator. These alternate movements
are repeated during several seconds,
greatly to the establishment OF behold
ers. 1t is not so strange that the top
should pause, but that it should resume
its whirling without any fresh impetus
seems to be pure witchcraft. There is
no mechanical continuance diScOverable
in either the top, or the stick on which
it plays.
Among the surprising feats of the
acrObatS are those of the rOpe-dancerS.
One performer steps upon the rope
with naked feet, and pile of jars on
his head. Having reached the centre,
he causes the rope to swing rapidly to
and fro, maintaining his balance by
moving his body in harmony with the
oscillations of the rope, at the same
time holding his head mOtiOnless, in
order not to lose off the jars. Another
acrobat walks skillfully along the rope
with buffalo horns tied perpendicularly
to the feet.
A wonderful exhibition OF jugglery is
executed with swords and sashes bor-
rowed from the spectators. The con-
iurer wearing the scantieSt apparel, so
that his bust and limbs are wholly visi-
BILE, presses the sharp point against his
breast until the blade bends into half
circle. Or he places himself on his
back, and, laying on his chest thin
leaf of the elephant, his acolyte
strikes a heavy blow down upon 1t with
sharp sabre, which cuts the leaf in
two. Again he throws fresh cocOanuts
up into the air, and let's them fall upon
his head, whereon they are smashed as
upon rock.
Lastly says NJ. Rousselet, who
witnessed the scene, "a wagon was
brought,-a heavy vehicle which two
oxen could scarcely drag. One of the
guards lances was solidly fastened to
the shaft, so as to present its point at
the extremity, and a certain number OF
the common people were invited to get
into the wagon, which the juggler, plac-
ing his naked skull against the point OF
the lance, pushed forward, thus loaded,
for about ten PAGES. After this feat, OF
course, every one wanted to inspect his
skull. The man cOmplacently showed
his head to each of us, and we were able
to assure ourselves that he had no 9th
er cuirass than the tick skin which Ma
ture had given him for his share, but
which nevertheless was stout enough
to resist pressure that would have
pierced through the body of an ele-
plant"
Many acrobats go through their per-
formances upon the top of a pole which
is held upright by four ropes,
the ends of which are simply
hole. Some water is then poured
,A1A - is- e.fa
ed down, and, presto! the pole stands
like rock, and may be shaken with
the united strength of several men,
without loosening the ropes. Little
girls are often included among the per-
formers, and they will roll themselves
into balls, bend themselves back, and
conduct themselves generally as though
made of India-rubber. They thread
needles with their toes, their eyes
blindfolded; and with their eyes pick
up straws stuck upright in the ground
Or they lift weights with their eyes,
a metal button being placed under each
eyelid in such way that it adheres tC
the pupil To these buttons, strings
are attached, connected with weights
sometimes very heavy; and these are
lifted little way from the ground with
out any help from the hands. This
spectacle, however, has a cruel look
that makes it painful.
How Adam Poe whipped Big Foot
Cincinnati Saturday Night
big Foot" chief of the WyandOttes
who flourished (his scalping knife) OF
the banks of the Ohio during the piO-
neer days, was an Indian OF immense
stature and powerful frame, who re-
ceived his name on account of the ex-
traordinary size of his foot, that organ
measuring more inches to the foot than
the most liberal table in long measure
can possibly allow. In addition to big
feet he was afflicted with corns, so that
his shoemaker was compelled to make
his mOccasins on a bag of hickory nuts
| in order to secure q fit.
One day Big Foot, who was sort OF
bully about home, attended log roll
ing at a neighboring settlement where
he met Adam Poe, an athletic young
paleface who had recently come there