Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-07-11
KING OF CONJURERS.
How Robert Houdin Won Fame and Fortune.
Chambers Journal

Chambers Journal
In the year 1843, French nobleman,
the Comte de rEscapoller, was one day
passing through street leading out Of
the palace Royale, n which his residence
was situated. His attention was attracted
by clock, tabled "pendule de pre-
cision," which was exposed for sale IN
the window of a watch-maker's shop.
The mechanism of the clock was peculiar,
and the count admired and purchased 1t.
At the same time he entered into CONVEX
saticn with the ingenious inventor, whom
he quickly discovered to be gifted with
remarkable talent in his art. In this way
Robert Houdin, destined to be sub
sequently the greatest conjurer Of his
day, made the acquaintance OF the pat
ron by whose assistance he was enabled
to realize his cherished ambition of ap-
peering before the public as prestldg1-
tateur.
The unskillful manner in which the
professors of the art of slight-of-hard
had hitherto executed the tricks they ex-
hibited and the clumsy apparatus they
made use OF had led him to believe that 1t
would be in bis power to improve consld-
erably upon their performances, In the
intervals of leisure which his narrow cir
Gle of cl1entege afforded him he had oc-
cupied himself in constructing various
mechanical appliances that would help
him in the calling he was desirous OF pur-
suing, should the opportunity present
itself of his doing SO. But hitherto the
want of capital had prevented his p6ttlng
mis- project into execution.
The count, who had some knovlege of
the mechanical art and took warm inter
est in the development, was much pleased
with several of the Inventions shown him,
and later on, when his acq uaintance with
Houdin had become more intimate, he Of
fore6 him the loan of 10000 francs for an
indefinite period in order that he might
have the means of enbarking in his new
enter prise. This generous proposal
Houdin felt it to be his duty to decline
since in the event of the experiment prov
ing unsuccessful he saw no reasonable
prospect of his ever being in position
to repay the money. The count wss hurt
at the refusal of his proffered assistance
and left the shop IN anger. A few days
afterward, however, the count again
visited Houdin to whom he said: MY
friend, although you are unwilling to
place yourself under an obligation TO me,
I am not too proud to solicit favor at
your hands; the circumstances are these:
For months I have been robbed by some
of nv servants. I have discharged sew
.raI whom I suspected and replaced them
0y others, in the hope of getting rid of
the thief, but to no purpose, for the rob-
brries still continue. [ come therefore to
you to beg that you will afford me your
help in discovering the cuiprit."
Houdin replied with a smile, "Nhy,
Monsieur de Comta, this is an affair for
Vidocq rather than for me, I cannot pre-
tend to any particular skill in business
of this kind. In what way do you sug-
gest that my services can be made avail
able?"
GAS mechanician," vas the response.
'For certain reasons l am DESTROYS of not
making the matter public, OF, long
before this, should have put it into the
hands of the police. Can you not inven'
some piece of mechanism that attaced to
the door OF the safe in which I keep my
valuables, will lead to the detection of the
delinq uent?"
This hint suffioed for Houdin. An idea
struck him that demanded a delay
of only "a hours in which to construct an
apparatus that should effect the desired
end. On the evening CT the following
day he presented himself at the counts
house carrying with him the continuance
| he had invented. The safe stood in a
small room. which communicated with the
counts bed-chamber. The door of the
safe was kept invariably locked; the key
of it never left the owners possession,
| and it was obvious that fhe thief had pro-
vided himself with a false key, since there
was no appearance of force having been
employed in picking the lock. Houdin,
having pointed out this fact to the count
proceeded to attach his apparatus to the
inner side of the d DOT of the safe. In
doing this the right hand of Houdin was
protected by stuffed glove, similar to
| that used by boxers. This circumstance
| excited the curiosity of the count and he
| demanded why the precaution was taken.
LET it be assumed" was the reply,
'that the robber has opened the safe.
| Well, by means of my continuance, di-
rectly he has turned the key in the lock
AMI pulled the door open, even single
inch, a pistol shot is fred. At the same
| time on the back of the hand of the
| burglar is indelibly siam ped the word
voleur. You preceive, therefore, the
necessity of my wearing glove"
explain the working of the ma
chinery."
"The pistol shot Is simply to give you
warning of what has occurred in what
soever part of the house you may be at
the time. But scarcely will the door
have been opened when a claw mounted
on wire and working with spring will
| fly out and clutch the hand of the indi-
vidual who has inserted the key in the
lock. The claw is tatooing machine,
and the short sharp needles of which it