Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1894-10-26

T. i d
house was cranimed. The prestidigi-
tator is not always a popular turn
he lacks piquancy and excitement,
and very often originality; but Alcorez
had got hold of one or two almost
startling feats which current rumor
gave him the credit of perilously
stealing from Tibet At all events
his name on the bill was a feature,
and he always took we'll.
The conjurer himself stood at the
bar waiting his call, and drank spar
ingly with his admirers. He was in
good spirits that night, for on the
following week he was to start on a
big American tour which was almost
certain to result in further engage
meDts and assure his future.
On the stage the Sisters de Leari
were singing the third and last en-
core verse of their great success, I'VE
Get There All the Same" At that
early period they dressed as their
grandmother. Thirty years later
they will make up as nearly as posi-
BILE like their grandchildren. Art de-
mands such sacrifices from its vo-
tarieS.
Alcorez made his final adieus and
went behind to his dressing room.
The Sisters de Leari gave place to a
low comedian, then the curtain went
up on Alcorez's table and appliances,
his name b!azoned in letters of gold
upon black background
At different times and in all places
there are sympathetic audiences and
exacting audiences. Why, and what
controls them, none can say. Simply
they are there and have to be allowed
for. As the juggler bowed, his ex-
perienced eye took in the sea of faces.
and he smiled.
He generally began with very
simple trick that is as easy as it looks
impossible, and older than the NEGRO
u,ancers. He would borrow a watch,
get stranger from mong the audi
ence to come upon the stage and hold
it, and then cause it to disappear and
be found in someone else's possession.
1t is very absurd when you see how it
is done, but it is capable OF endless
variations, and can always be made to
raise laugh, which is the conjurer's
first object.
Tonight Alcorez borrowed the
watch. Almost before he had made
the request man from the front row
| of stalls stepped upon the stage to as
sist him. This alacrity was so unusu-
| al that Alcorez looked at the man
curiously, and wondered that the face
seemed SO familiar to him. A word
from the audience caught the jugglers
ear and he turned quickly to the
stranger.
Sir, are you my friend, my accom-
plice, my servant? A gentleman in
The audience distrusts me. Is it SOP"
Certainly not said the stranger.
'.Have you ever assisted me before
and become familiar with my ways?''
continued the conjurer.
There was just the suggestion of a
pausr but the mo- was firm and en-
phatic, and Alcorez proceeded.
Generally it was easy to reduce the
assistant to the necessary state of
confusion at very early stage, but the
stranger did not indulge in any of the
humorisms by which the volunteers
lay themselves open. Alcorez, a little
puzzled, placed the watch in a hand
lserchief, gave the ends to a stranger
TO hold, and crossed the stage.
There was still an almost unfailing
ruse. Few man-those accustomed
to powder least of all-can face gun
or a pistol without a tremor. This
gives the conjurer a double advan-
t;sge; by means of a weapon he can
bring too observant assistant into