The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-02-22

Fig. L..

the benefit of others who decide ON using the
saw. OF course, it will be understood that
this must be used in hand-frame, and not
in machine. For the size of blade, an ordi-
nary No. 2or will be found suitable, thou
gh, from what has been said, it will be seen
that other numbers may be used. Perhaps
it will be as well to say that the narrower
the groove, provided it be sufficiently wide
to admit the elastic, the better, as, in case of
close scrutiny while in the bottle. the cut is
the coin should be held in small wise, and
oil be freely applied to the blade.
This part of the work having been done,
the next thing is to cut the coin into three
portions. This may either be done by
couple of straight cuts, as shown in Fig. 8.
arranged as to form projection and CORES
pending hollow in two, contiguous parts.
Inc S % Of h this IN Isl that
ing the trick, the pieces dc not so easily get
displaced; for it must be obvious that, with
straight cuts, when the coin is distended or
fiat, there is nothing beyond the elastic
band to prevent slidina movement as well
as folding one. With the notched cut the
parts key into each other, and, while folding
can be managed with equal facility, it is not
possible to move the pieces edgeways.
Whichever method be adopted, the actual
cutting is done with fret-saw, and is not
straight be observed The great thing is to
get the penny divided into the three parts of
approximately equal width. A fairly large
blade may be used for this part of the work,
as modern saw kerr is not distinguishable
afterwards. While mentioning this | may
give an Their variation in cutting, by which
the saw is made to follow as much as possible
the outlines of the profile. This, of course,
is much more troublesome to manage, and it
can hardly be considered that the advantage
gained is sufficient to warrant it being done,
a N " rti ilxr0 1n6
SIDE. The coin being now ready, a very
small elastic band must be placed in the
groove, all the parts being in their proper
positions, so that, beyond the sight mark
separating them, the penny looks as usual.
1t will be found that the tension of the band
keeps them close together. The elastic being
sunk, on folding the parts over each other
and releasing them, they will spring out flat.
Tnls Is all the preparation necessary, but a
lew hints 10 connection with the trick will
not be out Of place
The elastic bands are much smaller than
those usually sold at the stationers', and are
Such as those often used by chemists, from
whom have got them. AS the bands soon
get cut by the sharp edges of the coin, it is
always well to have one or two of them in
reserve, and to test the one which may be on
the coin Immediately before using. If this
precaution be taken. it will save the annoy
ance OF the trick falling through three pieces
OF penny instead of one entire coin being
seen inside the bottle At first, the bright
ness OF the metal where it has been cut rem
ders it advisable that freshly prepared
penny should not be used. The Brightness,
however, very soon wears away, and seen
through an ordinary bottle, the cuts will
escape notice.
The precise kind of bottle is unimport-
ant, but It should be sufficiently transparent
to allow the. coin being so plainly seen that
there is no doubt about its being there; and.
on the other hand, it should not be of such
clear, line glass that the coin can be too
infinitely examined. The best shape for the
bottle is that in which the neck gradually
widens instead of coming to an abrupt
shoulder: Having obtained the bottle, it
must e held in one hand, the other con-
tanning both the borrowed and the prepared