The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1885-03-05
MAGIC REVEALED.
Mysteries of Ledgedermain and
Second Sight Explained.
Ery to the System by Which a BIindfoIded
Person May See-Some of the Tricks
Which Won Success for Heller.


loving citizens of New York were mys-
titled beyond measure by the second
sight performances of Robert Heller.
They were the talk of the town for
many days, because they seemed to be
outside the pale of ordinary feats of
legerdemain, and to have an almost
supernatural character. This diaberie
was never explained in any authorita-
tive way that carried conviction to the
ordinary mind. although every one
formed his own pet theory as to how it
was done, which theory was generally
upset subsequently by Heller himself
The clever performer did some re-
markable things in the way of second
sight, He could take up quaint old
coin that was brought to the theater
for the express purpose of puzzling him,
and Miss Haidee Heller, blindfolded,
would tell its nationality, color and
date. While he held lady's watch in
his hand, she would describe its appear
iance and even give its number, and,
best OF all, when person in the audi
ence opened book at random. Miss
Heller would tell the number of the
page at which it was opened, and read
the contents of the page. This trick
especially made credul0us New Yorkers
fancy there was some unknown power
at work in the mental or psychological
makeup of Miss Heller or Robert Heller,
and they were utterly at sea as to how the
thing was done. Letters were written
TO the newspapers purporting to dis
close the secret, but falling widely short
OF the real truth; magazine articles were
published on the subject; theatre parties
and social clubs found an interesting
topic of discussion in this mighty prob
lem; but everybody after awhile, de-
clded, with Dundreary, that it was one
OF those things that mo feller can find
out -
Robert Heller fully realized the popu-
lar perplexity on the subject, and he
would occasionally in his witty, chatty
style pretend to give the secret away,
something after this fashion, at the
close of an entertainment: Ladies' and
gentlemen-You may say this is mag
netism, spiritualism, rheumatism, or
what You please, but you will probably
decide after all that it is simply Heller
ism. This sally, after the curiosity of
the audience was whetted with the ex-
pectation of being able to pluck out the
heart OF the mystery, usually brought
down the house, and everybody left the
theatre with the pleasant sense of hav-
lng been delightfully."- puzzled beyond
neir powers of comprehension.
80 long as Heller could make a for
inne out Of the second-sight business it
not at all strange that the story ofhis
art was never accurately told, and that
many bright minds puzzled themselves
over 1t and never discovered the truth is
eesumony to the remarkable system
"hicn was mastered by him and his apt
pupil MISS Heller. 1t is the purpose of
TINS article, however. to give in brief
such an insight into Heller methods as
VIA maa enable the veriest tyro to at least
.,i1s Understand how the trick was accom-
pisheu, even II he should not have the
natural ability and quickness of percen-
llon 10 master its details sufficiently
wen 70 repeat it before parlor fnll ri
amazed listeners. The disclosures here
I'M IN made come substantially from a
,'-e. ,%eii-6nown young amateur of Brook
iyn, Mr.: Harry S. Livingston. who
learned from Heller's own iips some nj
ms well-known secrets and from F r
:. Dale, who was an assistant of the
magician on the stage, or ..confed.
sfate' as cynical spectators would saw.
NJ sp;lle tiine' and was the assistant OF
nut Livingston for two years. Mr.. Liv.
aIsseon, who has followed the pursuit
" " scientific magic purely from a love
" llie art, and is seen in public only in
connection with entertainments for
ssN sweet eet charity's sake" has in his
SauoOO collection of magical apparatu,
many articles used by Heller in his per.
ssormanees in the old hall in Twenty.
.ouren street, now known as the Madi
: son square Theater. As Heller is dead
aau Miss Heller is reported to be ir
IoI, LONDON dehghting Englishmen of the
~oiiu and American tourists in the role
~ ~ dispenser of beverages that DELIGHT
sne interior man, no harm can eyidentI,
,sh eJ.ns TO any one By plain recital of tht
naO maoie matter. The few magicians whf
D1sssad to possess the gift Of secons