The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-05-11
A ooNJURoR's PEATs,
BY BRANDER MATTHEWS.

we have had with the Indians i'm the |
far west. There are frequent risings |
and revolts, there are constant skirmish-
es and long truces, and there is rapid |
alienation of hostility and friendship.
Every year, in the fall, there are teats |
and entertainments at Algiers, to which |
all the leading Arab chiefs are invited.
Among the Arabs the marabouts, or
native magioians, have great influence
greater than that exercised by the |
medicine men of our Indians. It was
to discount the paltry wonders these
marabouts were able TO do that the
French authorities invited Robert
Houdin to 60 over to Algiers and to
perform his most startling feats before
the assembled chiefs and the most i'm
portant Arabian medicine-men. They
hoped to show the Arabs that, beside
Robert-Houdin's marvellous feats, the
pretty TRICKS of the marabouts we're al
together TOO insignificant to be of
divine origin, as the more ignorant be.
lieved them to be.
Toward the middle OF October, in the
middle of the autumn festival, and
after the Arabs had performed their
wonderful Fantasia on horseback, Rob-
ert- Houdin gave his performance 10
he theatre in Algiers, before all the
chosen Arabs, who came with their
chiefs, tribe by tribe, until the little
auditorium was absolutely packed. II
must have been a most intere sting spec.
tacle to see these children of the desert,
many of whom bad never been inside of
theatre before, seated there in seried
columns, wholly ignorant Of the sur
prises in store tor them In the balcony,
for example, there were sixty chiefs,
each wearing the red cloak which is
me sign of their submission TO the
French authority. All the military
and civic dignitaries of the colony
we're also present in the full pomp OF
official uniform. Interpreters were
scattered through the house to give the
n'tiv,s all needful explanations.
Robert Houdin records that he came
forward solemnly and with heavy
sense of responsibility, for he was not
now merely to amuse, but to astonisb,
20 awe, TO terrify, to impress power
fully the imaginations Of his savage
spectators. And they were as solemn
.s he; they received him with true
Oriental gravity, giving him courteous
attention, but sitting stolid and making
40 sign for long while 1t was only
by picking out an Arab here snd there,
and paying special attention TO- him,
that the performer was able toithsV
the frigidity of the assembly, and to
break the ice of Oriental impassive.
ness. The taking of huge cannon
ball from a borrowed hat was the first
trick which aroused general excite
ment.
AS the Algerians are forbidden by
Mohammed's law to drink wine, Rob
rt-Houdin substituted for his mex
haustable bottle an ipexhaustable b ,wl
FROM which he poured nun perless cup.
of coffee, smoking hot. The irsU cups
we're tasted most timidly, as perhaps
Of evi, origin, but courage soon came,
and there was a general desire to try
the delicious beverage.
| Three tricks Robert Houdln had ar.
ranged specially to impress the Arab
imagination, and these three he re.
served to the end. Then he said tha,
the strange powers they had seen him
Exhibit enabled him to deprive any
man of his strength, and he invited any
| Al alb who dared to step on the stage
A solldly built Arab, with massive
muscles in perfect training, stepped
forward and stood beside the magician
Robert. Houdin held in his hand littl,
box well riveted together, and having
stout handle Holding this box fol
minute swinging on his little finger
Robert Hopdin placed it on the floor
Are You strong7" he asked.
| Yes" answered the Arab, with con
fident carelessuess. '
| care you sure of remaining so al
waysi'
"Always," the native replied.
Lift that little box" said the ma
gician. 1
The Arab lifted it, and said, coldly
'Is that all 7" A".
WATT returned Robert Houdin
Then, making solemn gesture, h
continued, Nov you are weaker thar
A woman = and this TO an Arab is tb,
final degree of weakness. "Try to lif
the box again"
| The strong man seized the box one,
more, oni made vigorous effort I,
lift it. But now the box resisted, ant
despite his utmost exertiOn he coult
not raise it from the floor. Afte
many vain attempts he paused a
though to acknowledge the infuenc
of m1gio beyond bis ken but thi
would be to confess himself beaten, 2,
ne braced himself for a final furiou
fort. But scarcely had he seized th
handle of the box than sudden shoe
shook him. He dropped on his knees
trembling and shrleking with unes
pected pain. Then he rose hastily an
fled from the theatre, throwing hi
cloak about his head, as though t
conceal the shame of his defeat, Will
he faces of the remalrrng Arabs b'
came grave, and they gazed fearful
at Robert Houdin as though he wei
really a sorcerer.
Il The explanation of this startlin
trick is SIMPLE. The little box had a
iron bottom. When it was placed Q
the floor of the stage it rested over
powerful electro ro-magnet. After Il
, Arab had lifted it the first time u
/ electric circuit was completed, and the
no man who ever lived was stron
enough to remove it. The cause
; the Algerian's spasm of agony was
, shock of electricity, which Rober
Houdin by signal had had sel
through the handle of the box from {
, induction coil out of sight behind Il
/ scenes.
Il The second of the special tricks ie
How'd. Robert Houdin announcs
thai he had a talisman which made hi
: absolutely invulnerable, and that
: defed the best shot in all Algiers
: nit him, At this a marabout, who h,
!, shown great excitement all throul
/ the performance, sprang on the stag
; saying: II want to kill you !"
: Robert Houdin handed him a pist,