The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1875-07-16
THE BLACK JCGGLER

admiration, and was really astonishing.
Anderson at that time vas in the zenith Of
his fame and glory as conjurer and
master of the Black Art
But later when / saw Robert Houtlin in
| Paris ''do the devil in diabolism" with an
| audience of full two thousand excited
Frenchmen watching his every move, and
yet by his dexterity and skill battling de-
lection, was still more amazed and aston
ished. 11oudn's feats of legerdemain and
incantations were truly wonderful.
Still later, at the Imperial Theatre, in
st. Petersburg, 1 Witnessed the perform
ance of Saraof (the term Professor is in
disuse in Russia the famous Russian wiz
ard. The entertainment was given in lion
or of the royal family, and in robes of sable
and ermine and with jeweled fingers spark
ling with diamonds and other precious
stones, saw the nobility of st. Petersburg.
Saraoff seemed to feel the honor bestow-
ed upon him by the Emperor of all the
| ltussias and his feats were truly marvellous.
| His dress was Of black velvet, covered with
spangles, which reflected the light from a
thousand gas jets. His paraphernalia was
simple, and the charm of his tricks lay in
| the cunning of his hand, seemingly unaid-
ed by any accompiice. He was more Won
derful than either Anderson or Houdin.
Saraoffseemed to enjoy the entertainment
with the audience. His closing feat was
more wonderful than all the rest. He
smiled with self qualification at its effect
he bowed obsequiously, and the curtain
fell. A thousand jeweled hands smote
each other-the curtain rose-Saraoff ap-
peared, smiling and bowing-footsteps ap-
preached the stage-the conjurer turned
AN officer of rank in the imperial family
placed a crown upon his head and saio:
''By order of the Emperor"
Saraoff kissed his hand, and bowed more
obsequiously than ever. And well he might,
for the crown was of gold, sparkling with
diamond letters which read ''Saraofl,
Prince of WiZards.''
Two years later | was in India, the guest
of Captain Nolan of the British Light Ar
tiilery. We were seated under a canopy
of cloth to protect us from the burning
rays of tropical sun. The conversation
turned upon legerdemain and necromancy.
7 related to Nolan with a marked degree
of enthusiasm what had seen performed
i'm Paris by Houdiu, and in ST. Petersburg
by Saraoff.
He smiled, but said nothing.
"Do you doubt it ~ asked, somewhat
sternly.
"No!'' he said, laughing "but, both
Houdin and Saraoff are but novices in the
Black Art"
"Well, cannot conceive anything more
wonderful than their performances" l
answered.
''Well, wait" replied Nolan. 'I will
send for the BLACK Juggler.' He will be
here tomorrow noon. For few coin he
will astopish you, think
1t was late when we dined the following
afternoon, but the Black Juggler was
prompt, and lay doing in the sun. near
our tent. He was a tall fellow-almost
blacksmith long hair and with eyes that
, seemed made of glass. He wore a tartan
upon his head, a faded, dirty sash about
his shoulders, and short muslin frUck
about his loins. lie wore sandals upon
his feet to protect then. from the hotsand,
while his legs were both naked and black.
What contrast, thought, between Sara
, off in velvet and spangles, and the Black
Juggler Nolan, with wave of the hand,
bade the juggler proceed.
He opened a dirty sack or bag contain
, ing his paraphernalia. They proved to be
of the simplest character. y walking
stick, seemingly made from ordinary san
dal- wood, lay at his feet, and from The
sack he produced a small glass globe with
an opening at The top. He placed it upon
the earth and, squatting like Turk neal
it, proceeded to place powder of reddish
hue in the globe. Soon his lips moved
; he lnuttered something in an unknown
tongue. His eyeballs seemed to expand
and almost start from their sockets. His
. whole frame shook The incautation had
commenced. TIE charm of the sorceI Ell
was kindled. a sweet incense came from
the glass globe. A bird no larger than al
American humming bird, flew from the
globe-another followed it, and yet anoth.
: or, until fully fifty passed from the opening
and hummed near the Indians face. He
seemed to talk TO them, and one by one
they flew to the opening again and darted
= in. Soon the juggler's mummery ceased
r the incense passed away, the globe was
: empty, and its glass clearer than crystal
Nolan watched me from the corner o
;. his eye. He, no doubt, saw my utter as
tonishment. The iuggler next handed mt
!; his walking stick, and; with gesture
bade me examine it. l felt it with bot
!. hands. Itconimenced to wriggle it darte,
n from my grasp snake, and glidcd away.
i The Indian bounded after it, caught i
: in his hand, and passed it to me again. l
was stick, and cold as stone
''Great God u l mentally exclaimed
y team this be real ?''
+ Nolan smiled. Once more the blacl