Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-29

toward concealing his movements. This is
because the story told during the perform
ance OF each trick not only heightens the
effect marvelously. but also serves to d.
rect attention away from the performer
Just at the moment when his hands are
engaged In some "sleight'
The story or speech which serves to sur
round tricks Is called the "patter," and II
Is most important that this part of the
trick be carefully reheaised. The magician
IS simply acting part from the time he
begins until he makes his final bow, and
all the words and actions of that part
should be practiced over and over again in
order to acquire the ease and grace neces-
sary to finished performance.
The use OF the wand Is also important
Aside from the fact that custom has de-
creed that no slelght-of-hand performer is
properly eq'.ipped without the use of this
little stick. II will be found valuable In dis
gIising many necessary movements of the
hands. Last, but not least, 1t gives ease to
the movements and saves the beginner the
discomfort arising from not knowing what
to do with the hands.
Use of n Table.
Performers of the better class get along
without the use of a special table, but
many Of the best tricks require that some
provision should be made for getting rid
OF or producing some of the articles used.
In the regular magician's table the hidden
shelf at the back called the servante is so
used, but for draw ing room entertainments
black oblong box, twenty inches long,
twelve wide and six Deep can be placed on
the table, and the space back of it used for
a seTvante. The presence OF the box
arOuses no suspicion if the performer opens
II occasionally to take out some artic lie
used in the trick, such as pistol or PACK
of cards. 1t is also we'll to have a portion
of the back made to fall down (see zig. ID,
as Ii may be necessary to get at the inter-
Tor privately. Such a box can also be used
as carrying case for apparatus.
The first trick to be considered is a brand
new one, which has never been done by any
magician, great or small. This fact should
not discourage the beginner, for Ii is a
simple ore. and even If it were more diff
cult, the fact that the young student could
by acquiring it offer a feat which no '.b-
server could by any possibility have seen
before should be sufficient reeompense for
considerable diligence. In this case. the
performer takes pack of cards from the
table, steps forward and says: Ladies and
gentlemen. / will first call your attention to
test In mental telegraphy, or thought
transfsrence. I do this in order TO place
as such a condition is absolutely necess ary
to insure the success of the experiments
which follow. AS 1 require an assistant, /
will ask some gentleman in the audience to
volunteer"
A Case of Mental TeIegrapby.
Having secured some one, you continue:
Now, in the first place, 1 wish you to take
this handkerchief and blindfold me Sc
curely and seat me In sLch a position that
1 could not possibly see the table, even II
the blindfolding were imperfectly DONE"
After you are bllndfolded and seated sat
tsfactorily, you GO on: Now. take this
pack of cards and make three separate
piles on the table Each pile must contain
at least three cards and as many more as
you see it, but all must contain an equal
number Have you made the piles? Thank
you. Now, please say how many shall
finally be left in the center pile" Suppose
the answer Is five) Now, take three
place on the middle one. Then please