The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1877-11-02
EBENsBURG, PA, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER g. 1877


an inch thick, he took the following OBJ.
jects, closing the portfolio toge her with
slam, to show is thin dimensions, between
the withdrawal of each article First,
several engravings; second, two bounets
one made Of black velvet, and trimmed
with long white feather, the other pink
satin, with a wreath of flowers on it third
ly, he took out four live doves fourthly
three large brass saucepaus, one full of
water, the second of beans, the third of fire
and flames; filthy a bird cage, in which
canaries were jumping about on perches
sixthly, Il boy about 6 years old
Some of the articles taken out of the
portfolio are placed there beforehand, and
some get put there while the trick is going
on. The things that are already in the
portfolio when the juggler brings it on the
stage are the pictures, the bonnets, the
stuffed dove, the cover or false bottom of
the saucepan full of beans, and the bird
cage. What are put in are the living doves,
the three brass saucepans and the child.
The two leaves of the portfolio are made
of thin plates of sheet iron, covered with
paper, and with leather edges to make
them look like pasteboard. There is about
an inch of space TO spare when the port
folio is tied together. Inside, fastened at
one of the outer edges, bu. loose inside, is
a green cloth such AS is often used by ar
fists in these portfolios to protect engrav-
ings. On one side Of the portfolio is
hinged shank, which serves to keep the
portfolio open at an angle of forty-five de-
grees when desired. The principal use OF
the pictures is to conceal the motions OF the
luggier while he takes out articles from be-
meath his clothing. They are mounted on
thin pasteboard, to give them the requisite
iffuess- The frames of the ladies' bon
nets constructed of springs, and are
split up the entire back, so that they may
be laid fiat in the portfolio. They spring
in shape when lifted up by the juggl ler,
who while the portfolio is open, but before
the bouuets are shown, hastily arranges the
trimming, and joins the split back with a
hook and eye concealed by fall of lace.
The saucepans seem to be all of the same
size when they ale brought out of the port
folio, but they fit into each other, the
handles clasping together, and are lighter
than those used i'll the kitchen. Toe plain
how water, beans aud flames get in the
saucepans, will call the largest of them
No. ], tile second size No. 9, the third No
3. No is the one which contains water,
and Houdin's plan was to cover it over,
when full, with piece of water proof CLOTH,
which was tied on as an old fashioned
housewife ties sheet of paper or u piece
of white muslin over her preserve pots
when full. Jugglers nowadays use Indian
rubbercovers for such things as this, which
are very easily slipped off aud on. Houdin
was Obliged to have round little brass
wire soldered around the saucepans to keep
the string on by, the wiIe stopping for
about an inch Oh one side near the handle,
which was the place where he pulled off
the cover when the moment came.o Sauce
pan No. has false top piece which fits
i'll it about an inch in deph. When this
shallow pan is full of beans it seems the
spectators If the entire saucepan WAS
full. Saucepan No bas no particular ar
rangement. 1t is to hold tie fire and flame
generated there by an intianimable powder
such as all theatrical property men" know
how to make. A match is also put in 1t,
aud the juggler strikes it and lights the
fire between the covers of the portfolio AZ
the proper moment. The four living doves
are placed in linen bag with compart-
ments like those bags you sometimes see
inside a lady'S cupboard, in which she
places her slippers, etc. The heads Of the
doves are uncovered, but their bodies are
in The bag, which mas great hook sewed
on the top of it. by which it is hung up
under the jugglers coat. The bird cage
is little else than "a collection of springs and
hinges, which are hastily shaken out when
II is drawn from the portfolio. The cana
ries are very small birds and are forced into
drawer of the cage un ii it springs in
place, when naturally the birds fly about.
At a prearranged moment the boy gets into
the portfolio, or rather is tossed into it, i'll
the following manner: small trap door
on hinges is arranged to open i'll the floor
of the stage, directly under where the port
folio stands, aud up against this trap door
there is a box with movable bot ON in
this box the boy is crouched. Here he re-
mains until the bird d-cage full OF canaries is
brought out from the portfolio. Then the
juggler walking out among the audience,
says, Who ii have one OF these canaries?
The audience, thinking this is the end of
the trick, and anxious to get gilt of a ca
nary, keep their eyes fixed on the cage and
| the movements of the juggler. At this mo-
ment the green cloth falls out of the port
folio as if by accident, and cohceais the
legs of the trestle-work stauc. An assist
ant under the stage moves a lever, and the
movable bottom of the box shoots the boy
up into the portfolio. The whole operation
only lasts four seconds aud as soon as the
child is safely lodged in the portfolio, the
juggler's page lifts up the green cloth and
places it back, as if its having fallen was
quite unexpected and accidental
Now when Houdin came on the stage to
| perform his portfolio trick in such care
less, easy manner, how was Ire equipped ?
| Why, he had the saucepaus hung on a hook
under his coat tails 4; i'll the hollow space OF
the sauce pans the bag of turtle doves bung.
| Under his arm was tlie rol tfolio. In taking
the pictures out of the portfolio. his body
was hidden Tor au instant, and this time he
utilized TO pull ont from behind his coat
the doves aud .he saucepans.
Hoadiu looked upon .his performance as
one of the most startling that could posi-
bly, be presented to an audience, and dur
ing the day he piacticed it for hours at a
time, in-order to perfect bis rapidly OF ac-
| ton in IT, "~sl
A KENTCcKY judge, Sauds 10y name,
would look upon the rosy, and was not al
ways III condition to open court. Que
morning not long since he entered the court
room, and, instead Of mounting the bench.
said to the persons assembled .aienile-
| men | appear before you tn say | am vic
tim TO vice which has 6isgraced me be
fore you and my country. As | entered
! this acourt-room. | heard some one say,
/ There goes pretty timber to make a crimi.