The herald., 1895-09-02
HERMANN.

l want to tell You little about some
seemingly wonderful tricks which neither
myself nor any other magician has ever
been able to fathom, and which were per-
fJr,ned by q very remarkable prestidiEita-
teur. known as the Fakir of Ava. OF all
the magicians who have ever appeared in
this country he was unquestionably the
best. He first performed in the United
States about 1876. Prior to his advent
Americans had seen. for the most part,
mere jugglers-fellows who burned cotton
in their mouths and then blew ou5 gayly
colored ribbons-but the Fakir of Ava
was a marvellous revelation OF the possi-
bIlities or the magic art. There was a
strong flavor of mystery about the man.
He always endeavored to convey the idea
| that he was an Oriental, and he looked,
indeed, as if such were the case. He had
the dark olive complexion and long
| flowing black hair and beard, and the
| DARK. piercing eyes of child of the east.
He dressed in Oriental fashion. with
long flowing robes of rich material and a
turban, yet his speech was Enthusiastically
that of an English cockney.
1t was long time after | had made
his acquaintance before l could induce
him to give me some insis he into his
life. Then he gave me the brief outlines
of his history as follows: ''You ust
know" he SAID, 'ttat [ was born in Lon
don. my parents being both Hebrews,
and proucly claiming to be able to trace
their descent directly back TO Abraham.
They were small trades-p people and would
have brought me up in the shop, but |
revolted ut the idea, and running away
from home enlisted in the British arm V,
serving with it in India and Burmah.
~ had always had a great fondnesss
for jugglery and ledgerdemain and was
an accomplished amateur IN those arts at
an early age. While in India and Bur
nah l avaled myself of every possible
opportunity to study the tricks of the
native .nagicians, who are unequaled by
those of any other country. From the
Indian magicians l learned not only
many tricks that seem positively miracu-
lous to the uninitiated, but also great
deal OF Hindoostanee patter, of which
make use in my public performances.
"Leavlng the army and returning to
England, I devoted my energies to giving
entertainments i'll magic. 1t was from
the magicians of India that acquired
my key mystery trick, which has done
more to establish my reputation than
anything else do"
The 'key mystery" trisk was perhaps
the most wonderful feat of magic ever ac-
complished in this country. 10 perform
1. the fakir would borrow from some one
IN the audiencte handkerchief, lead
pencil, or any small article, which he
would pack in q wooden box. After the
latter had been sealed he would place it
on table. and ask the person from whom
he had borrowed its contents where 1t
should be sent. On receiving a reply he
would wave his hand and the box would
instantly disappear. A committee. select
ed from the audience would then be sent
tu the destination named for the box. and
there it was invariably found. On one
occasion in New York prominent mer-
chant requested that the box be made to
enter his safe, which was securely locked.
the key being then in his pocket.
"All right" said the fakir, as he wav-
ed his wand. The box disappeared, and
when the merchant and two other gen
temen selected from the audience when
to his Office and unlocked his safe. there
they found it. The solution of this mar
vel-if any one ever discovered it-has
never been given to the world. The
fakir's great success soon gave rise to .
host OF iiuitators. some of whom copied
his dress and even his name. but none
J. NJ ANDERSON.