The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1894-10-20


hall, and the
house was crammed. The prestidigi-
tator is not always 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 Thibet. At all events
his name on the bill was 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
mcpts and assure his future.
On the stage the Sisters de Leari
were singing the third and last en-
core verse of their great success, eve
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 it's 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 blazoned 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-
and he smiled.
He generally began with very
simple trick that is as easy as it looks
impossible, and older than the NEGRO
mancers. He would borrow watch,
get stranger from among 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 Alcorcz 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 so?"
Certainly not" said the stranger.
Have you ever assisted me before
and become familiar with my ways?"
continued the conjurcr.
There was just the suggestion of n
pause, but the mo- was firm and en-
phatic, and Alcorcz proceeded.
Generally it was easy 10 reduce the
assistant TO the necessary state of
confusion ut very early stage, but the
stranger did not indulge in any of the
humorisms by which the volunteers
lay themselves open. Alcorcz, a little
puzzled, placed the watch in a hand
kerchief, gave the lis to stranger
TO hold, and crossed the stage.
There was still an almost unfailing
ruse. Few men-those accustomed
to powder least of all-can face gun
or pistol without a trcmor This
gives the conjurer double advan-
tage; by means of weapon he can
bring n too observant assistant into