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

THE BLACK JUGGLER.

admiration, and was really astonishing
Anderson at that time vas in the zenith of
his fame and glory as coniurer and a
master of the Black Art.
But later when / saw Robert Houdin In
Paris edo 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. Houdin's feats of legerdemain and
incantations were truly wonderful.
Still later, at the Imperial Theatre, in
st. Petersburg, l witnessed the perform
ance of Saraoff (the term Professor is in
disuse in Russia, the famous Russian wiz
ard. The entertainment was given in hon
or Of the royal family, and in robes of sable
and ermne, 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
| Russias, andh:s feats were truly marvellous.
His dress was Of black velvet. covered with
spangles which reflected the light from a
thousand gas jets. His parap phernalia 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 toenjoy 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-
pearcd, 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 Aud well lie might,
for the crown was of gold, sparkling with
diamond letters which read ''Saraoff,
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.
I related to Nolan with a marked degree
of enthusiasm what had seen performed
in Paris by Houdin, and in ST. Petersburg
by Saraoff
He smiled, but said nothing.
"Do you doubt it ~ | asked, somewhat
sternly.
"Nor' 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.
s'Well, watt replied Nolan. al will
send for the Black Juggler.' He will be
here tomorrow noon. For a few coin hc
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
black-with long hair and with eyes that
!, seemed made of glass. He wore tartan
upon his head, a faded, dirty sash about
his shoulders, and short muslin fiock
about his loins. lie wore sandals upon
his feet to protect then, from the hotsand,
while his legs were both naked and black.
What a 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 dirty sack or bag contain
: ing his paraphernalia. They proved to be
of the simplest character. \ walking
stick, seemingly made from ordinary san
dial wood lay at his feet, and from the
sack he produced small glass globe with
an opening at The top. He placed it upon
the earth and, squatting like a Turk neai
it, proceeded to place powder of reddish
hue in the globe. Soon his lips moved
, he Inuttered something in an unknown,
tongue. His eyeballs seemed to expand
and almost start from their sockets. His
whole frame shook. The incantation had
commenced. TIE charm of the sorceI Ell
was kindled. \ sweet incense came from
the glass globe. a biid no larger than an
American humming bird, flew from the
globe e-another followed it. and yet anoth.
or, until fully fifty passed from the opening
and htimned near the Indians face. lie
seemed to talk TO them, and one by one
they flew to the opening again and daried
:, in. Soon the juggier's mummery ceased
r the incense passed away, the globe wa:
: empty, and its glass clearer than crystal
Nolan watched me from the corner o
>. his eye. He, no doubt, saw my utter as
constituent. The juggler he&t handed IN,
/, 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.
It The Indian bounded after it, caught j
: in his hand, and passed it to me again. l
was stick, and cold as stone.
s.Great God p | mentally exclaimed
y team this be real ?''