Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-01-18
RoBERT HoUDIN IN ALGERIA.

Robert Houdin, the great French magician,
was once sent by the government of France
TO Algeria, to perform before the wild Arabs,
in order to impress them with a belief in the
supernatural powers of the French. One of
the wild Arab chiefs, after witnessing his
performances in Algiers had invited NJ. Hop-
din and his wife to visit him at his village In
the interior After long and rather danger
GUS journey, they reached the house Of this
chief whose name was Bou-Allem. The kind
Of people they found may be inferred, when
be says that his host drew out from the dish
bone with meat hanging TO it, and after
tearing of some pieces with his nails offered
them to Nine. Houdin.
after dinner" he says, I'VE proceeded to
another room, and, on 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 excellently,
hence he would serve as our interpreter. We
entered a small room very elegantly decora.
ted, in which we're two dvans.
This cur host said lis the room reserv-
ed for guests of distinction you can 60 to bed
when you like, but if you are not tired would
ask your leave TO present to you several chief
men of my tribe, who, having heard Of you,
wish to see you
Let them come in said, after consult
ing Nine. Houdin; we will receive them with
pleasure
The interpreter went out and soon brought
in dozen old men, among whom we're a
MarsbOut and several tslebs, whom the bash
aga appeared to hold in great Difference.
They sat down in a circle on carpets and kept
up very lively conversation about my per-
formances at Algiers. This learned society
discussed the probability of the marvels re-
lated by the chief Of the tribe, who took great
pleasure in depicting his impressions and
those of his co-religonists at the sight of the
miracles had performed. Each lent an at.
tentive ear to these stories, and regarded me
with a species of venerstion the Msrabout
alone displayed a degree OF skepticism, and
asserted that the spectators had been duped
by what he called vision.
jealous of my reputation as q French sor-
cerer, thought l must perform before the
unbelever few tricks as a specimen of my
late performance. had the pleasure of as.
founding my audience, but the Marabout con-
tinued to offer me a systematic opposition, by
which his neighbors we're visibly annoyed
the poor fellow did not suspect though, what
1 had in store for him. Ny antagonist wore
in his sash q watch, the chain of which hung
outside.
II believe have already mentioned q GER
tain talent possess Of flching watch, a pin,
pocket book, etc, with a skill by which sew
eral of my friends have been victimized. /
was fortunately born with an honest and up
right heart, or this peculiar habit might have
led me too far. When felt inclined for a
joke of this nature, turned il to profit in a
conjuring trick, or waited till my friend took
leave Of me, and then recalled him Stay
l would say, handing him the stolen article,
let this serve as a lesson to put you on your
guard against persons less honest than my.
self
but to return to our Marabout. l had
stolen his watch as passed near him and
slipped into its place Eve franc piece. To
prevent his detecting it, and while waiting till
| could profit by my larceny, improvised a
trick. After juggling away Bou-Allem's rosa.
ry, made il 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 comically, l made fye-
franc pieces come out of the noses of the
spectators. They took such pleasure in this
trick that fancied should never terminate
it. 'Douros douros = they shouted, as they
twitched their noses. 1 willingly Acceded TO
their request, and the douros issued at com
mand. The delight was so great that several
Arabs rolled on the ground this coarsely eI-
pressed joy on the part of Mohammedans was
worth frenzied applause to me- pretended to
keep aloof from the Marabout, who, as l ex-
pected, remained serious and impRssive.
When calm was restored my rival began
speaking hurriedly to his neighbors as if
striving to dispel their illusions and, not sue
ceeding, he addressed me through the inter
prefer -
"'You will not deceive me in that way, he
said with a crafty look.
"'Why SO 2
Because l don't believe in your power
Ah, indeed Well, then, if you do not
believe in my power, will compel you to be-
lieve in my skill
"'Neither in one nor the other
~ was at this moment the whole length
OF the room from the Marabout.
Stay, said to him, you see this fve-
franc piece
"'Yes'
"'Close your hand firmly, for the piece
will go into it in spite Of yourself
4 am ready the Arab said, in an inored-
ulous voice, as he held out his tightly closed
fist.
81 took the piece at the end of my fn-
gers, so that the assembly might all see it,
then, feigning to throw it at the Marabout, it
disappeared at the word Pass =
"A1y man opened his hand and, finding
nothing in it, shrugged his shoulders, as If to
say, You see, told you So
~ was well aware the piece was not there,
attention momentarily from the sash, and
for this purpose l employed the feint.
That does not surprise me- replied,
for threw the piece with such strength that
it went right through your hand and has fall
en- into your sash. Being afraid might break
your watch by the blow, / called it to me
here it is = And showed him the watch in
my hand.
Tho Marabout quickly put his hand in his
waist. belt, to assure himself of the truth, and
was quite stupefed at finding the fve-franc
piece. The spectators were astounded Some
among them began telling their beads with a
vivacity eVidencing certain agitation of
| mind but the Marrabout frowned without
saying q word, and saw he was spelling over
some evil design.
81 now believe in your supernatural pow
err he said; you are real Horcerer hence,
l hope you will not fear to repeat here a trick
you performed il your theatre and offering
me two pistols he held concealed beneath his
burnous he added, Come, choose one Of
| these pistols we will load it, and l will fire
at you. You have nothing to fear, as you
can ward of all blows.
II confess 1 was for a moment staggered (;
/ sought a subterfuge and found none. All
| eyes we're fixed upon me, and reply was
anXiously awaited. The MarabOut was tri-
umphAnt. Bou-Allem, being aware that my
tricks we're only the result of skill was angry
that his guest should be SO pestered hence
he began reproaohing the Marabout. l stop
ped him, however, for an idea occurred to
me which would save me from my dilemma,
at least temporarily then, addressing my ad-
versary -
"'You are aware, said, with assurance,
that require a talisman in order to be in
vulnerable, and, unfortunately, l have left
mine at Algiers'
"The MSrabout began laughing with an in
credulous air.