Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1882-05-12

Written for the SENTINEL.
THE FOLDING CASKET.
by DUNBAR BRIARELY."


wonderful state for her to be in certain
ly; but when we reflect that the attrac.
ton which nightly drew to the Opera
C0mique, not only the elite of the great
city itself, but many strangers, was
nothing more or less than the perform
ances of travelling magician and his
fair assistants, we did wonder, but
when in obedience to the old maxim
of "when you 60 to Rome, do as the
Romans do" we found ourselves en-
tranced witnesses Of the great magi-
clans skill and Mile. Chanfrau's beau
ty, our wonderment ceased in one sense
and increased proportionally in the other.
Night after night found me an enrap-
tured spectator, until the denouemcnt Of
the dramatic little story which | now re-
late for the first time.
Armand Prudhommo. or the Wizard
of the Caucans, as he styled himself,
had made us undeniably his.
AS | said before all Paris was charmed
by his exhibitions. Whether bis sue
cess was owing to his skill as n magi-
clan to his unique and ingenious
methods of advertising; to the air of
mystery with which he so successfully
sbrouded his performances, or to the
beauty and vivacity OF his assistant,
Mile. Chanfrau, | cannot determine,
but | think that perhaps the latter may
have been the more powerful reason.
The great chevalier, as no was called,
was rather below the medium height,
but of build that foretold great mus
cular power, with intensely black hair
and eyes, which gave him an uncommon
and rather distingue presence, he did
not profess any supernatural powers,
but still let his audience infer that he
employed some more mysterious means
than sleight-of-hand or mechanical con-
trivances. | have said that his success
was largely due to the beauty of his as-
sistant. Nile. Chanfrau was certainly
q beautiful woman of that rich, warm
type peculiar to French women, with
hair Of the most luxurinnt growth and
darkest hue eyes, great, lustrous orbs,
which when she turned them in her
peculiarly fascinating way on the audi
cncc, set the heart Of every boy IN the
pit to going ut 2:l0 gait; perfectly
chiselcd features, the lips however a
triae too scnsuous; and figure of the
most delicately perfect outlines. Hor-
tense Chanfrau was the most splendid
looking woman ever saw, and she was
always 30 tastefully arrayed that her
toilots were envied and initiated by half
the women in Paris.
Tho great and most striking act Of all
the great chevalicr's performances and
the one in which the beauty Of Mile.
Chanfrau was displayed TO the greatest
advantage, was one Of original design
with the great magician. A large iron
casket was placed in the centre Of the
stage, which was heavily draped with
black imparting that air Of mysterious
soemnily 50 much 10 be desired IN all
exhibitions of its character The four
sides Of the caskct were then laid open
to the inquiring gaze Of the audience,
and we're discovered to be solid and Of
great thickness. Mile. Chanfrau was
next assisted into the casket by the
cbevalier, who closed the lid, fastening
it securely, when in response to the
question, "M'lle. Cbinfrau are you
ready y she had answered, II AMI |"
The magician withdrew a short distance
from the bier on which the casket
rested, then seized hold of the handle
of n crank, which was attached to the
casket, he turned once, twice, three
times, when suddenly the voice Of Mile.
Chanfrau il heard from within crying
for help; the casket grew smaller, natter,
shorter till all at once large bell began
10 toll; the cries inside the casket grew
fainter till just as they die away a loud
explosion is heard and the stage is bril-
liantly illuminated by calcium lights Of
various colOrs. The great chevalier ad-
vances 10 the front Of the stage and
calls, "M'lle Chanfrau, where are you 7"
"Hcro," would come the answer from a
box in the centre Of the house and Mile.
Chanfrau would appear as fresh 40 if
she had never been crushed to death a
moment ago.
Amidst the general surprise the lady
would disappear and the curtain fall.
This act, which was always reserved
till tho close Of each performance, and
though it was repeatedly encorcd, moth
ing could induce the magician to repeat
it at the same exhibition. though both
he and Mile. Chanfrau sometimes re-
appeared and responded to tho calls by
a song in which their rich baratone