The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1882-02-22
MISCELLANY.
ROBERT HoUDLN IN ALGERIA.

related some of tho tricks of Robert Houdin,
the great French magician, who was sent by
the Government of France to Algeria to per-
form before the wild Arabs, in order to inn
press them with belief in the supernatural
powers of the French. Some more of his ex-
periences may prove interesting to our
readers
One of the wild Arab chiefs, after witness
ing his performances at Algiers, had invited
Robert Houdin and his wife to visit him at
his village in the interior. Aftor long and
rather dangerous journey, they reached the
house Of this chief, whose name was Bou-
Allen. The kind of people they found may
be inferred, when he says that his host drew
out from the dish bono with meat hanging
to it, and after tearing off some pieces with
his nails, offered them to Madame Houdin.
CATER dinnor," he says eve proceeded
to another room, and GU the road were Joined
by young Arab whom Bou-Allem had sent
for. This man had been for long time SER
want at Algiers, and spoke French excelently;
hence he would serve as our interpreter.
eve entered a small room very elegantly
decorated, in which were two divans.
"'Ths, our host said, is the room reserv-
ed for guests of distinction you can go to
bed when you like, but if you are not tired, l
would ask your leave to present to you several
chief men of my tribe, who having heard Of
you, wish to see you.
"s Let them come in, said, after consult
ing Madame Houdin, we will receive them
with pleasure
1.-THE interpreter went out, and soon
brought in dozen old men, among whom
were Marabout and several talebs, whom
the bash-aga appeared to hold in great defer
ence.
"They sat down in circle on carpets and
kept up a very lively conversation about my
performances at Algiers. This learned socie-
ty discussed the probability of the marvels
related by the chief of the tribe, who took
great pleasure in depicting his impression and
those of his co-religionsts at the sight of the
miracles had performed.
''Each lent an attentive car to these stories,
the Marabout alone displayed a degree of
skepticism, and asserted that the spectators
had been duped by what he called vision
"Jealous of my reputation as Frencu sor-
cerer, theught l must perform before the
unbeliever few tricks as a specimen of my
late performance. l had the pleasure of as
founding my audience, but tho Marabout con-
trnued TO offer me Systematic oPpe~itien, by
which his neiehbors were vsibly annoyed |;
the poor fellow did not suspect, though what
had in store for him.
" My antagonist wore in his sash n watch,
the chain of which hung outside.
g. believe have already mentioned cer-
tain talent l possess of filching watch, a
pin, pocket-book, ETC., with skill by which
several Of my friends have been viotimized.
81 was fortunately born with an honest
and upright heart, or this peculiar talent
might have led me too far. Whom felt in
clined for joke of this nature, l turned it to
profit in conjuring trick, or waited till my
friend took leave OF me, and then recalled
him: Stay would say, handing him the
stolen article, let this serve as warning to
put you on your guard against persons less
honest than myself.
"But to return to our Marabout. had
stolen his watch as l passed near him and
slipped into its place five-frano piece.
"To prevent his detecting it, and while
waiting till could profit by my larceny,
improvised a trick. After juggling away
Bou-Allsm's rosary, made it pass into one
Of the numerous slippers left at the door by
the guests this shoe was next found to be
full of coins, and to end this little scene COM
ically, made 6ve-frano pieces como out of
the noses of the spectators. They took such
pleasure in this trick that fancied l should
never terminate it. 'Dourosl Douros =
they shouted, as they twitched their noses.
1 willingly acceded to their request, and the
douros issued at their command.
"Ths delight was so great that several
Arabs rolled on the ground this coarsely ex-
pressed joy on the part of Mohammedans was
worth frenzied applause to me.
~ pretended to keep aloof from tho Mara
bout, who, as l expected, remained serious
and impassive.
"Whsn calm was restored, my rival began
speaking hurriedly to his neighbors, as il
striving to dispel their Illusions and, not sue
oseding, he addressed me through the inter
prefer:
"'You will not deceive me In that way,
he said, with a crafty look
"'Why SOP
"'Because don't believe in your power
&c All, indeed Well, then, il you do not
believe in my power, will compel you to be-
leve in my Skill
"'Nether In one or the other.
~ was at this moment the whole length of
the room from the Marabout.
"'Stay, said to him you see this FIVE
franc piece
ayes
"'Close your hand firmly, for the piece will
60 into 1t in spite Of Yourself
" am ready the Arab said, in an in-
credulous voice, as he held out bis tightly
closed fist.
~ took the piece at the end Of my fingers,
so that the assembly might all see it. then,
feipning to throw it at the Marabout it dis
xx.nn,od he -ord oo