The herald., 1897-03-21

unduiates like the tall grass on rolling
prairie when the wind is blowing in stiff
fish fashion. There are regular pillows
of cloth Then, here and there, appears
a suggestion Of some object. All at once
the muslin shows a distinct outline of a
wheel. Then the excitement does be-
come intense. why, the man is really
going to do it." is heard on all sides.
The cloth moves more violently. A
click-click sounds clear and distinct
from under the muslin. Then the cloth
shakes vigorously. Suddenly it rises as
If impelled by dozen hands, and almost
simultaneously with that rising there
darts from beneath it the figure of the
juggler, riding a silver-mounted wheel
upon which he makes the circuit Of the
stage several times. Then he alights as
deftly as the greatest of trick riders and
bowling to the audience, says: Mes
danes ct Messieurs, sil vous plait.'
1t is done. The juggler has kept his
word to the letter. And now for the ex-
planation The nawab smiles in his most
charming Indian fashion, as he tells
those who are about him that what he
has done is the simplest thing in the
world, if only it is understood. Any
one of you could do it, am sure he
says. Could they? Let us see. This is
the explanation, condensed from the
elaborate fabric of language which the
Indian juggler rears for the enlighten-
ment of those who have watched him;
In a word, the secret is that the bicycle,
all in pieces, is hung about his body be-
meath the cloak. 1t seems as If 1t would
be a difficult task to do that so that
there would be no knobby projections,
but the Indian Is clever man.
To begin with, the rubber tires are
allowed to empty themselves of air and
are then coiled about the mans waist.
Each of the spokes folds in three pieces.
and thus condensed around the hub of
the wheel, the whole hangs down to-
ward the mans heels like the big PEN
du,um Of a clock. Aluminium is the
metal of which the wheel and the rest
of the machine is constructed as largely
as possible and of course this makes
the hub and spokes much lighter than
would otherwise be the case. This part
of the wheel is secured to the juggler
in such a manner that although II hangs
down, it will not oscillate so violently
as to become visible, or to give evidence
of its presence beneath the folds of the
cloak.
The handle bars are fasteped about
the waist The frame of the machine is
in five pieces, but fits together with snap
locks that make it as firm as If it were
all cast in one piece. The chain iswourd
around his legs and the sprockets are
attached to the same limb. The saddle
is carried over his breast. AS this is
divided so that it spreads out, it enables
the juggler to wear it without danger
of having the presence thereof revealed.
With all this upon him, weighing per-
Eaps altogether eighteen pounds, the
juggler has appeared before those who
have come to see the wonder he ta7
promised. The folds of his cloak so
thoroughly conceal the dismantled bike
that there is not the slightest evidence
of its presence. The usual explanation
is made, ard then comes the enveloping
with the sheet. Instantly the sheet COW
ers him. the juggler loosens from about
him the sections OF the bicycle that make
a complete whole. First of all, he ar
ranges the frame. Then the two wheels
are quickly turned into proper shape
Following this he blows air into the
rubber tires and adjusts them. Then
comes the gearing, the adjustment of
saddle and handle bars, and 10, the
wheel Isl complete and ready for use.
Then the juggler dextrously filings the
sheet from him and at the same moment
mounts the wheel. The rest has been
told.
This is the story of the event that
has interested Paris society, high and
low. 1t Is the revelation of a wonder
and the exemplification of human Gre
dulity so deftly combined that It charms
you while it arouses your Indignation.
AS this indignation is always directed
toward yourself, the 1uggler is in no
wise disturbed. Therefore, the Nawab
of Jellabad and the Rainee of Cham
parar have become both popular and
prosperous. Theirs is the most clever of
all the juggling feats that Paris has
saeu for many long day.