The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1878-08-08
ORIENTAL MAGIC.

wide verandah of bungalow, or Gov
eminent inn. one day in Northern In
dia. 1t was in January, but the wealth.
er was intensely hot, and my OAK
gahrra, with its rough, unframed horse
had stopped here for midday rest.
My HisdoOstanee servant, with an 1n-
pronounceable name, whom had nick
named Handy Andy" on account of
certain unhandy ways, and merry
twinkle of the eye that indicated no
lack Of Hibernian humor, came up to
the porch, and with salaam said,
Would sahib like to see conjurer
make tricks?" "Yes, bring him on"
l suspected the fellow was consulting
his own fOndness for amusement more
than mine; but it was too hot to sleep,
and was ready for anything to kill
time. A tall, fine-looking Hindoo, with
a clear-cut, intelligent face. and ewes
shat looked straight at you, with no in
dication of "ways that are dark and
tricks that are vain," next appeared
on the scene. He was dressed in the
ordinary long white robe of his race,
with \ rich cashmere shawl wound
round his waist, and his ysalutation and
manners were respectful, without the
least shade of servility. He was fol-
lowed by two attendants, carrying the
various implements of his profession,
which they spread out before him, and
dozen or two hangers-on of all ages
grouped themselves ut respectful
distance to enjoy the free show. The
ground in front Of the bungalow was
paved with large, flat stones, and upon
one of these the conjurer seated HIM
self. curling his legs under him in Ori-
entail fashion, and asked in Hindoos-
tanee, "What special trick would the
sahib like to see?'' At the same time
he barred his arms, long, wcll-formed,
but not muscular, and united his shawl
to open his robe and show me that there
was no concealed mechanism about
his person. told him through Han
dy Andy that l would like to have
him perform the mango trick-which
l had seen once before, at Delhi, with
out being able to penetrate its myste-
ries. He nodded assent, and, taking a
box about ten inches square, filled it
with earth and in it planted mango
nut, about the size of an English wal
nut, having first handed it to me for ex-
animation. He then made framework
or tripod of three sticks, six or eight
feet long and tied together at the top,
placed it over the box and covered the
whole with piece of white muslin.
The only thing, thus far, that looked
like charlatanism was muttered in
cantation, rolling up his eyes, with out
stretched palms, as if appealing for aid
to some higher power.
Again seating himself, not more than
ten feet in front Of the verandah, he
went through the most astonishing per-
formances Of sleight-of-h hand tricks, such
as swallowing swords, tossing balls in
the air, drawing from his mouth COL
ored ribbons Of interminable length,
ETC., some of which had seen before,
but never in broad daylight. He bor-
rowed my watch, and after MASKING it
to flinders, it was mysteriOusly return
ed, unframed, to my pocket. He
burned my handkerchief, then poured
from vial some elixir upon the ashes,
and the linen was returned to me with
out a smell of fire on its hem. These
and many other equally curious things
he did, for nearly an hour, with the
most intense gravity of manner, and
an air of candor that would disarm
suspicion. My eyes were wide open,
and l watched him so intently as
scarcely to wink, and yet l was unable
to detect a single flaw or account for
one of these transformations.
Some of the tricks he repeated at my
request, but the result was the same.
At the critical moment his movements
were as quick as lightning. In all cases
where fire was used l noticed that he
either poured some liquid or threw a
whitish powder upon the flames, which
produced. for an instant, adense smoke,
and left pungent, aromatic OdOr in
the air.
In the meantime the mango tree was
growing. Four times, at intervals of
ten or fifteen minutes, he raised the
muslin cover to report progress. The
first time sprout three inches long
appeared, at which he expressed salts.
faction, and carefully watered it from
small sprinkling pot. The next time
it was foot high. and the leaves
seemed just forming. The third time
it was fully two feet in height, and ap-
peared to be growing most vigorously.
At the close of his other performances
he tossed aside the enveloping cloth
and tripod sticks, and 10! there was a
mango tree or bush, about five feet
high, with perfectly formed leaves
and branches. He brought it to me,
and I satisfied myself beyond ques.