The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-10-26
The Indian Basket Trick.

Ever since the capture of the strange en-
pire of India by the English, or for more
than hundred years, the civilized peoples
performed by the native jugglers Natural
ly, Houdn's announcement of the Indian
basket trick made great sensation. The
curtain arose and disclosed wicker basket
of oblong shape standing upon what appear
ed to be light table, without any cloth
cover upon it. The juggler entered, dragging
beautiful youth, dressed as an indian prince
wearing a robe of white cashmere embroid-
cred with gold, while upon his head waved
a peacock's plume held by diamond
star.
"Mercy mercy |" cried the child.
mo no mercy. You are an Indian and
prince, and must die" was the savage re-
sponse.
al am only child" cried the innocent
boy.
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, lifted
him in his arms, plunged HIM into the bask
ct, which he closed, strapping down the COW
er. Then he drew his sword, and having
tested its sharpness by striking it in the
floor, he thrust it in the basket again and
again, while the victim inside gave the most
heartrending cries of pain and agony. Each
time the sword was pulled out it was seen to
be covered with blood, while the sobs
and groans from the inside of the basket
grew fainter and fainter, till at length they
ceased, and a ghostly silence ensued. Dur
ing this scene the excitement among the
audience was intense. Ladies hid their faces
behind their fans some wept aloud men
shouted hoarsely, "EnoughP' The smiling
Ijuggler bowed, and proceeded to unstrap the
basket, which he turned, mouth upward, to
the audience, showing it to be entirely
empty. In the midst of the applause which
followed from the amused and relieved audi
ence, the little Indian prince was seen to be
seated in box in the centre of the auditori-
um, kissing his tiny hand to those about him
as we'll as to his friend the executioner on
the stage.
This trick was performed with the aid of
looking-glasses inserted between the table
legs a contrivance now commonly used in
pantomimes and other show pieces upon our
stage But it was new thing then,an the
scene was remarkably well played by Houd.
in and the child. AS soon as the boy got in
the basket he opened trap-door in the bot
tom of it, which was placed over cores
ponding opening in the table. Hidden by
the looking glsss,he crouched below between
the table legs, and shrieked and sobbed IN.
til the proper moment came for him to de-
scend through trap in the stage, and pass
around to the box in the front of the theatre
A sponge full of red liquid was placed a
a certain spot inside the basket, and thu
sword, passing through this, seemed to b
dripping with blood. 1t was imperative tina
the juggler should not pass in front of tn,
table, else his legs would have been reflected
= there, and that would have disclosed the en-
tire secret. Houdin became dissatisfied will
q | IHls trlCh anu MAUI many improvements ii
it, which the jugglers of our day have still
q further perfected. 1t is palpable that thi
can not be the way in which Indian juggler
perform the trick in the market-places o
other public squares in broad daylight. The
!. have no looking-glass table,no traps throu g
the earth.
e Houdin's theory conce rning them wa
n that their basket had an opening in it eithe
g at its front or its back and that, while buck
IS ling and strapping down the cover, with tn
0 knee lifted up and pressed on the basket q
+ if to tighten the leather strap more securel
# the child crept out under the bent knee, an
v hid beneath the voluminous robes of tn
K juggler Then, while the sword is piercin
# the basket, and the child's sobs are mo-
n heart-rending, the crowd gathers in com
% pact mass about it, and into the crowd til
child easily escapes without being seen, an
runs away. At the proper moment he CONF
running back as if from distance, and
course the astonishment of the crowd
: unparalleled, for the basket has in the mea
- time been opened and shown to be empty
;, Rarpers Magazine.