The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1891-07-01

Friends Ths Famed Jugglsrs Beneath ,
Contemut- Marvellous Feats Of Snake
Ch.rming-The Fakirs Pushed Even
Him.
Hermann, who is delightful talker,
few friends in Omaha with
some of his experiences in India, which
NAV prove interesting reading.
Naturally ON his first visit to India
Hermann was curious to see something
of the famous jugglers of whom travellers
have told such marvellous tales. Hewent
out of his way to meet any famous per-
former who could only be reached in that
manner. and the result was that between
the time he landed at Calcutta and the
time he embarked at Bombay he had wit
messed about everything of note in the
Juggling line that the country afforded.
The opinion he formed after securing
all they could show him was that, apart
from their skill as snake charmers, in the
basket trick, and one or two other lllu-
sions, the ability Of the entire fraternity
of Indian iugglers is beneath contempt
81 had heard great deal about the
wonderful mango trick, " said this mod
ern Merlin, in which the native jugglers
were said to plant mango seed in the
earth, whence it would be seen to sprout
and gradually grow into a full size mango
tree, blossom and ripen fruit in full view
of the spectators.
"They further declared that the fruit
would be handed around to whomeyer
cared to taste it. Stories to this effect
had been told by SO many travellers OF
repute that l really expected tofind some
merit in the trick. AtAllahabad, Gavin
more. Lucknow, Delhi, and Bombay l saw
native iugglers who did the trick, and
each time they performed it precisely as
| follows: The fakirs, usually five or SIX in
number, would squat ON the ground and
the spokesman would ask the spectators
to select a spot Of earth on which they
desired the trick to be performed. This
being done, he would pick up the earth
with a small pointed instrument in order
to make a soft spot; then putting up a
skeleton frame Of tripod shape he would
throw>a shawl or cloth (without which
the fakir would be like ship without a
4 l,1dder) over it, so as to make asorto OF tent.
One of the conjurers, wearing long
robe with side sleeves, would then pro-
duce mango seed, and placing both
hands and arms under the improvised
tent would plant the seed, his hands anc
J. arms being out of sight under the TEN
during the operation. His comrades
= would then perform some simple trick
with cups, balls, etc., after which TN
cover over the tripod would be removed
and a small sprout would be seen IN tn
side of the mango seed.
when the cover was again throw
over the tripod the fellow with the lon
f. sleeves would once more put his arm
q under the tent so formed. After anothe
. interval of three or four minutes tn
D cover would be again removed and thel
& would be seen a branch of the mang
tree about two feet in height. bearing
few mangoes, some green, Others ripe
= "The secret of this trick is very simp
and 20 shallow that it requires little e.
= ulapation. The man who placed h
~ hands under the cover first inserted u
sprout in the seed, and the next time
drew from his ample sleeves abranchc
from a neighboring mango tree al
} thrust the cut end into the earth, whl'
had previously been softened-
Some one then asked Hermann If heh'
ever seen the trick performed of thrown
a ball of Irvine in the air to form sort
Jack-and. the bean-stock, up which t
n. iuggler climbed out of sight, pulling I
string after him, and that the pistol 81
- of a companion conjurer brought
aerial climber to the earth in fragmen
I'M which, when brought together, became
living, uninjured man again.
wn "No. 1 never saw that trick, repl
Hermann, aand the people who belit
per it can be done must have their bra
ust steeped in hasheesh. You hear OF
trick in India, but somehow l never
vas able to find conjurer who would
nan tempt it. Most of the wonders attribu
Tor to Oriental jugglers have never exis
au- outside of the imaginations OF those v
tell them.
.The feats Of snake charming, HI
ever, are marvellous, and, If tricks, Il
de- utterly defy detection. When l was
late Allahabad fellow came into my re
'uls. with nothing on but breech clout
bout said: 'Plenty big snake here, Sa
'oliy Plenty big snake in the room.
Rage him to go off; that l had seen all
etch snake tricks, and did not want to
at bothered, but he insisted upon 1t
there were plenty Of snakes in the 70
man 80 told him to go ahead and call Il
oy out if there were any.
the He stood up in the middle Of the
ound and began 10 play on sort of fiut
had with him. Now, mind you, t
was no furniture in the room but ;
you bed and two or three chairs. He ha'
PLAYED two minutes before l saw the $
what on the bed rise up till it looked Ii
small tent, ank then An enormous
lence crawled out and coiled itself on the
with its head erect and Its tongue da
e so' out in anger.
I'm an instant saw other snakes CT
re. ing from all corners Of the apartment
'ealed they placed themselves alongside
eld 1t companion. The fakir, still playir
h;s fl,,to 1od tho vvAv To the door an