The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-01-20

Mans Head on Wlthout Doing 1t.
From the Louisville Courier Journal
The magician or prestidigitator makes
use of the latest discoveries in the varied
branches of science. He does not claim
to perform anything supernatural and
the spectator knows that all the perform
ances rest upon natural laws,
The attractions now offered are so va
ried that mere Straightforward perform
ances and conjurers' tricks have, through
many repetitions, lost their charm for the
public. An innovation, which makes pos
sible some surprising effects, has been in
troduced under the mysterious term of
black art
In this production the walls, floors and
ceiling of the stage are draped entirely
in black velvet. Not a SPOT of the color
shows as the curtain rises. The only light
that shines upon the somber scene comes
from the auditorium, which as usual is
illuminated Suddenly and mYsteriously
the magician makes his appearance;
whence he comes FROM no one can under
stand. His dress consists of robe of
white silk IN the eastern style, held to-
gether by golden belt. Open sleeves al
low the movements OF the arms to be
seen; a richly embroidered turban and
white leather sandals complete his cos
tune. --.,s .s-. v4.
With crossed arms he salaams TO the
audience: suddenly he discovers that his
magic wand is missing, without which the
promised wonders of the evening cannot
be produced. Spirits" he calls bring
me my magic wandP and into his ex-
tended upright hand it appears as mystic
riously as washis own coming. Suddenly
two small tables are seen standing at
each side of the stage. Then be com
mands his spirits to send him. two vases,
which appear at once, one on each table.
The prestidigitator shows that they are
empty. and then requests the loan of
watch for few minutes. The watch is
handed him. 1t is dropped into the vase
on his left, which is raised and turned
toward the audience !. the watchis plainly
seen in it. The vase is returned to the
table. The cOniurer moves across the
stage to the other vase, thrusts his hand
into it and draws forth the watch, which
he hands to the owner with thanks. How
it came there is naturall2 the question
Of all. - - Jt4s s. 1iF1~
Again. he shows ~thst9tbe vases are
empty. Now, ladies' AID gentlemen
he says, permit me to offer you some
refreshments,s7Is proR9;Ss.s 70 produce COT
1 am pouring peas, . suitipg the action to
the word, u snail bring, forth coffee;
and from this vase into which ] now
pour BEANS he turns them in, @you
shall be served with CONNECTIONS. Spirit,
bring me cups and sauCers, cream and
sugar" Instantly there stands at his
side a boy bearing silver salVer, on
which are all the necessary appurten-
ances-cream, sugar. spoons, cups and
saucers-and the prestidigitator pours
steaming coffee from the vase in which
peas had been so literally emptied. my
attendant is already Overladen," he re-
marks. Spirit, another attendant. an
the same mysterious manner and just as
noiselessly a second waiter stands at his
side, and on his tray are heaped dainty
cakes that were quickly produced from
the vase that held the beans; the serv
ants pass among the audience offering the
refreshments, which are pronounced deli
cious. While the favored few among the
spectators are enjoying the lunch, pre-
pared and served in SO novel a manner,
the magician dryly remarks, = L am usually
a neat cook, but this time an accident has
occurred, for which must, beg your par
DON" Explanations of disgust interrupt
him, for he has brought forth from the
vase which served the purpose Of coffee
urn a handful of rats, which, with a
quick motion, are seen to vanish in the
air Into the other vase he also thrusts
his hand and brings forth white mice.
which follow the course of their colored
brethren.
Another scene recalls the sword feats
of the Indian, jugglers. A. large covered
basket appears at the entertainers feet,
and he begs some mother of the audience
to lend him child, which he desires to
stab to death. He promises, however, to
return it to her in perfect health and I'M
SCARED. Very naturally no one is found
willing to trust her little one to the ten
der mercies of such a monster however
fair may be his promises, and he is forced
to again call upon his spirit-helpers. At
his command, the chlld-a beautiful,
fair-haired, dimpled darling--attired in
sacrificial white, stands beside the ma
gician. He passes with her among the
audience, who convince themselves that
she is veritable flesh and blood human
being. Then he places her in the hamper
and adjusts The cover which is Sc
curely bound with strong cords. Sew
eral sharp swords are next handed to
parties in the audience, who test their
keen blades; when returned to the stage
our prestidigitator seizes and savagely
thrusts them through ard through the
basket in every direction, the points APP
pearing on the other side This perform
ance is accompanied by blood-curdling
shrieks that seem to proceed from the
child confined in the basket. Finally her
screams cease and the swords are brought
forth streaming evidently with human
blood. The goods are Embossed. the cover
removed and the child, happy and smil
ing, with not even disfguring scratch,
is lifted out. ....
But the prestidigita tors ambition is not
yet satisfied; his blood thirstiness is
unappeased Not content with murder
he must needs commit suicide With the
terse remark that what occurs to one
may happen To another he raises his
hand to his turban while he bows his
acknowledgement of their applause
to the audience, who are mortified to
see standing before them only the magi-
clans decapitated body. The head is
smiling at them from the table which
stands at the side of the stage.
Baby" pleads the head from the table,
"take away my poor head and giveit to
some lady, The child moves forward
throws a silken cloth over it, and steps
down among the audience When she
thrusts aside the covering beautiful roses
are revealed, which the little one dis
tributes among the spectators.
These startling effects are all due to
optical illusions. The stage, it will be re-
membered, is entirely draped in black and
only lighted from the front, the back be-
ing in deep shadow Therein lies the
secret. The magician. his servants and
the children all wear white, which shows
their figures in bold relief The vases
and the tables are also of light color
ThrOuphout the entire nprfopna a ncp a =