The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1892-02-12

object After these articles have been
separately shown to and examined by
the spectators, the operator borrows
three rings, which he wraps in paper
and deposits the little parcel before the
eyes of the spectators on the top of a
tumbler placed upside-down on the
table
The ball is then slipped on to the rod
and the adjustable button C is screwed
to the end and the two extremeties are
held in the hands of any spectator that
chooses to offer to do this service (fig. y
In sLch a manner that it seems impossi-
BILE for the bail to be removed without
his consent.
This done the prestidigitator raises
the handkerchief with which he has
covered the ball with one hand and
lifts the ball with the other, both
movements being simultaneous. The
three rings appear which have been
supposed to be concealed in the little
parcel on top of the tumbler V.
As in all similar experiments the
whole affair is very simple, when the
key is known.
While in the act of borrowing the
rings the operator holds his hand a
second wooden ball ID, w: ! resembles
the first in every respect. { .rpt that it
is hollow and opens when the finger is
pressed against the little button y Zig.
y which is invisible to the eyes of the
spectator.
In turning his back upon his audience
as he goes back to the table, he slips
the rings into three small grooves in
side the ball, closes it. and conceals
the latter again in his left hand armed
with the magic wand which. in this
case as in many others, serves as a
very convenient excuse for holding the
hand closed.
The operation is quickly executed
and the right hand appears still to
hold the rings, which are seemingly
wrapped into the sheet of paper. The
wooden ball which has been prepared
with the rings is then dropped into the
pocket by the side of the table. In the
meantime, the magic wand is laid on
the table, where the rod with the end
button and the solid ball have already
been deposited This latter must now
be exchanged for the one which holds
the rings. A little jugglery helps to
bring this about. While the solid ball
is thrown into the air with
the right hand, the prestidigita-
tor following it with his eyes,
which leads the audience to
look in the same direction. he takes
bending to catch the falling one, as if
to prevent it from striking the floor, he
transfers the first to the servant" and
substitutes the prepared ball.
This little operation. which it takes
a much longer time to describe than
to execute, can be performed with neat
ness and dispatch after few minutes
practice, so that it does not occupy
more than a second or two. Performed
with calmness and natural repcse even
the most sharp-sighted are unable to
detect anything irregular.
The ball d is then strung on TO the
rod, which slips at the same time into
the rings. The left hand of the opera
tor, hidden under the handkerchief,
presses into the button. removes the
ball, closes it again and holds it up in
plain view of the spectators Gig. q,
who believe it to be the original one ex-
amined by them. The three rings, to
the great establishment of the audience,
are strung onto the rod. from the ends
of which the hands of the volunteer
spectator have never been removed