Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-11-13
The Indian Basket Trick.

empire of India by the English, or for
more than hundred years, the civilized
peoples have been hearing of the mar
velous feats performed by the native Jug
glers. Naturally, Houdin's announce
ment of the Indian basket trick made a
great sensation. The curtain arose and
disclosed n wicker basket of oblonS
shape standing upon what appeared to be
a light table, without any cloth cover
upon it. The juggler entered, dragging
a beautiful youth, dressed rs an Indian
prince, wearing robe of white cash
mere, embroidered with gold, while upon
his head waved peacock's plume, held
by diamond star.
"Mercy mercym cried the child.
"No-no mercy. Yov are an Indian
and prince, and must die" was the say
age response.
II am only Il child" cried the innocent.
That will not prevent my killing
you"
With piercing shrieks the child broke
away, and rushed to the side wing, only
TO be seized there by his executioner,
who lifting him in his arms, plunged him
into the basket, which be closed, strap
ping down the cover. Then he drew his
sword. and having tested It's sharpness
by striking the floor, he thrust it into the
basket again and az ain, while the victim
inside gave the most heart-rending cries
OF pain and agony. Each time the sword
wasp pulled out it was seen TO be covered
with blood, while the sobs and groans
from the inside OF the basket grew faint
er and fainter, till at length they ceased,
and a ghostly silence ensued. During
this scene the excitement among the aud
ience was intense. Ladies hid their faces
behind their. fans; some wept aloud ;
men shouted hoarsely, enough" The
smiling juggler bowed, and proceeded
to unsirap the basket, which he turned
mouth upward, TO the audience, showing
it to be entirely empty. la the midst OF
the applause which followed from the
amused and relieved audience, tho little
Indian prince was seen TO be seated in a
box in the centre OF the auditorium, kiS-
sing his tiny hand to those about him, as
well as TO his friend the executoner on
the stage.
This trick was performed with the aid
oi looking glasses inserted between the
table legs-a continuance now commonly
used in pantomimes and other show
pieces upon our stage. But 1t was ne "
thing then. and the scene WAS remarka
bly, we'll played by Houdin and the child
As soon as the boy got in the basket be
opened trap door in the bottom OF Il
which was placed over corresponding
opening in the table. Hidden by the
looking glass. he crouched below be-
tween the table legs and shrieked and
sobbod until the proper moment came
Tor him to descend through trap in The
stage, and so passed around TO the box
! in The front OF the theatre. a sponge
lull of red liquid was placed at u certain
SPOT inside the basket, and the sword,
passing through this, seemed TO be drip
ping with blood. 1t was imperative tina
the juggIer should not pass in front 0
the table, else his legs would have re-
ascted there, and that would have dis
closed the whole secret. Houdin became
dissatisfied with this trick, and made
many improvements in it which the jug
glers OF our day have still further per
tected. 1t is palpable that this can no
be the way in which Indian iugglers per
form the trick in the market places o.
other public squares in broad daylight
They have no looking glass table, NJ
traps through the earth.
Houdn's theory concerning them wa
that their basket had an opening in l
either at its front or its back. and that
while buckling and strapping down In
cover. with the knee lifted up and pres
sed on the basket as if to tighten tn
leather strap more securely, the chill
crept out under the bent knee, and hi
beneath the voluminous robes OF the jug
gler. Then, while the sword is pierc'n
the basket, and the child's sobs are mos
hearlrending, the crowd gathers in con
pact mass about it, and into the crow
the child easily escapes without 0eln
seen, and runs away. At the proper me
ment he comes running back as ii irot
distance, and OF course the astonisi
ment OF the crowd is unparalleled, 10
the basket has in the meantime bee
opened aud shown to be empty.-OtC
Logan, tD Harper's Magazine.
4 Sad Story.
1,