The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-02-21
MYST|F|EO HERMANN,
Howard ThuTston The Only Man
Who Succeeded in Doing So.
Ne Is Giving His Remarkable Performance
at KeIth's This Week.

one of the clever performers a,
| keith's this week presents an antith.
esis that might pass In an Anstev
novel, but which in real life seems too
whimsical for belief. odd as IL may
seem, IL IL fact that Howard Thurs
ton, the King OF Cards" the sc-
knowledged greatest manipulation OF
THE pasteboards," and the man who
mystified Hermann" was educated for.
the ministry, being a graduate OF the
famous Dwight l.. Moody schusol a.,
Northiield, Mass. where for five wears
ne was pupil and came out with hiph
honors.
Mr.. Thurston, who Is a nephew Of
United states Senator John NJ Thurs
TON OF Nebraska, II about 30 years OF
age ana the wonderful digital dextari
~ by which he accomplishes his mysti-
Iylng Tricks has been acquired only hy
the hardest Kind OF practice since no
was lad of but eight years. when he
happened TO run across book of
magic and at cnce became 50 rascsnat-
ed win II that ne began the constant
daily practice, which ne has never re-
lhquished, although while at school at
Northheid he confined 1t To what may
be termed digital gymnastics .lr,nnjny
the actual use OF the cards.
Although earnest and sincere I'm his
studies, he could never escape from
the fascination OF his first Introduction
TO magic. and when he was eradtta,ad
and the subject of his future VOCATION
was discussed he finally Welded IN
the bent Of his early inclinations and
adopted his present calling With all
his cleverness in the handling OF cards
however. he has never played even So
innocent game as whis; or "old
maid. his familiarity with them being
onhned strictly TO tricks OF legerde. |
main.
The distinction which ne claims as !
Ihe only magician VINO ever succeeded |
~ hlystliying the great Hermann has |
rome much 10 establish his reputation. |
)ut the exceptional character of his
NJrk, the novelty and originality OF
lost ci In II xA and the Individuality
" MS methods have enabled him IN |
sustain che reputation thus gained "a
uccessfully that the Hermann incident
no longer used for advertising pur-
'oses, and he stands simply upon his
merits as the adpitted greatest man
pu!ater OF cards among all the great
dgl1ans VINO have entertained Ameri-
an audiences.
Mr.. Thurston Is thrice dairv ,er,o,.,,,
ne at keith's the trick that bsffied
iernlann. ana FOR which the latter paid
high price 10 the young ma gician. II
onsists in permitting persons IN the
udience 10 draw cards from the pack
'hich has previously been shuffied hy
ne oi them. and the names OF which
1ey DO not reveal until the cards have
cen restored 10 the pack. which is
len held In plain sight OF the audience
the conhrers left hand. Then. as
aoh card Is called for, in tur, by the ,
ersons who drew il. the card rises un
II T the pack at least two feet !
l.uneh me ar 10 the magician's right Z
and held there awaiting IL. ,
Not even Houdini. the king OF hand
ms. who created such a sensati tion :
Gently 81 kcith's. did anything more
NstIfying and seemingly inexplicar1,e .
nn this and other tricks OF Thurs ,
n - ana ne bids fair Il close the :
aeA Mi,n record comparing with :
at made by the man who could as
pc from any kind of shackle placed
'On him. n