Evening star., 1896-12-18

for a cool drink in summer or a warm coat
| in winter, and many stranded actor or
actress has blessed him for a much-needed
meal or bed to sleep in railroad ticket
home.
With children he was a special fayorite
For them he seemed to have an unusual
fascination, ard his entertainments were
| never complete without some trick or ilu-
sion intended particularly to mystify and
amuse the youngsters in the audience
His Early History.
There has been a diversity of statement
as to Herrmann's birthplace and family re-
| lations. His own account was that he was
born in Paris in 1874, and that his father
was a physician and a magician who had
the honor of performing with much success
before the Sultan of Turkey. Alexander's
elder brother was also magician of a
good deal of note in his day. He died six
or seven years ago. leaving a considerable
fortune. 1t was at a performance given by
this brother in st. Petersburg that Alex
ander made his first public appearance. He
was then eight years old and he at once
attracted attention by his cIeverness and
deXterity. HIS brother wished to keep him
with him, but his father objected because
he did not want his education interfered
with. The result was that he went with his
brother. who engaged tutors to travel with
| him and look afterith boys instruction.
Alexander ,traveled with his brother for
| six years and then went to the University
| at Vienna. where he remained for only
short time, and then he returned to the
stage. He came to America in 1861 and he
| was naturalized IN 1876 Ever since he
came here he had Travelled about this coun-
try and other countries giving exhibitions
His career here followed close upon the
death of Heller, the greatest magician who
| has been seen in this country within the
memory Of living men. Hermann Travelled
| in America, EngIand Spain, France. Ger
| many, Russia, Siberia, South America,
| India. Australia and indeed pretty much
/ everywhere ~ here an entertainment could
be given. s. -oi -
His Marriage In New York.
| His marriage in 1879 to Miss Adelaide
| Sersey, who had become well known as a
| ballet girl In Boston and New York city.
where the ceremony took place, was an
| event that occasioned much talk. The
mayor officiated. and the groom amused
| the spectators by plucking a roll of green
| backs from his honor's sleeve to pay the
| fee. 1t was lit.'e tricks Of this kind that
| the professor liked to perform. No sooner
| was he introduced to a man than he found
| silver dollars or gold eagles in his hair
| a watch hanging to his ear. And no one
| was offended at his jokes. They were
pected. and every one laughed and won-
dered. no matter how often he had seen the
| trick before.
Hermann met his wife in an ocean liner
coming to this country. and she has aided
1 at MS performances III many ways. Inc
two had home at Whitestone, L. l., and.
besides many fine horses, Hermann owned
| the steam yacht Fra Diavolo. In addition
| to his other accomplishments. he was
splendid Hnguist. speaking French. Ger
| man. Spanish, English, Russian, Italian and
Portuguese.
He made large sums OF money, and lost
some Of them. He said that he had lost
$500. 600 in Wall street. He had an interest
for a time In the Broad Street Theater in
Philadelphia, and he secured lease Of
Dockstader's Theater New York. in 1880.
and announced his intention of giving his
own entertainment in 1t for large part Of
each season. He played only one engage
ment in 1T, however and then found that
he could more prOfitably continue his tours
of the country, appearing in New York only
for short periods and then. But he
found the theater Improbable in every
way, and In a little less than four years he
gave 1t up altogether.
Hermann really enjoyed his tricks of
sleight-of-hand and performed them on all
occasions. He was a constant source of
pleasure to his friends and acquaintances
in this respect.
1t was a favorite trick of Herrmann's to
go into market places and fool the stand
keepers. He would buy living chickens and
| rabbits, cut their throats in the presence
/ of the vender. and then. reattaching the
| eek, return the creatures to the surprised
| dealers without a sign of their recent
amputation showing. He would cut oranges
and APPLES In half and extract coins from
| them. pretending to be very much
prised and delighted over his luck.
Some years ago Hermann was invited to
dine with the Marquis of Acapules. The
marquis had taste for partridges, a weak
ness of which Hermann was aware. 80
when the conversation drifted around to
edibles the old robleman began to rave
about partridges and express wish that
he had provided some
'Oh.s we'll have some anyway" said
Hermann.
'Td like toa knox where we.u get Them
said the noblemafT with q laugh; there's
| lot such a thaAg fh the house."
Nothing easierF said Hermann. rising
and picking up a hat. Just this way"
aid he dugI fhis! hand in the hat and
brought up brace OF fine birds. >
trick which has mystified many people
has been psrfbrm4d twice In this city. by
Hermann. A. half dozen rifles inspected
and loaded by strangers, nave been fired at
him by -NatioatAl Guard men. and each time
he has managed to catch the bullets and
escape without harm to himself. Herr
mann has explained this trick a number Of
times. but no, one has ever been able to
make head or tail Of his explanation. and
! II is resarde&l3as 'she most remarkable in
Much Of Hdtfmaan,s success as sleight-
of-hand man has been due to his PLAUSIBLE
ity. He was ready, witty talker, and al
ways had good story with which to dis
| tract attention when Y was necessary. He
was a great believer in life Insurance and
| Is said to have carried p0fiCieS a aRRrpyafynfy