The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1902-09-19
FAMOUS ILLUSIONS.
o.s SECRETS OF PROFESSIONAL
O"S coNluRERs REVEALED.

nd the z.xs.u,
gnu nm, by a Peep at the Mechanis"
snniud the Scenes
,.rd the scenes view of the ia
EMISSIONS with which conjurers
Ou' mvstifed and delighted genera
.fter generation has peculiar fasci-
ns There are few of us who
w. our own childish illusions SO
|,'r 'rr that we will not part with them
.ho finn of seeing how we have been
Here glsr, are examples of some of the
F. ID known tricks;
r., n box trick is as clever as well
~ nv and as old as any. A heavy,
Wv y. honnd chest is exhibited. An as
a isnt is placed in a large canvas bag,
n a." month Of which is securely fas-
- and the bag is placed in the
Dst which is locked and roped.
tr,o hov is concealed for a few Sec
A. and when it is revealed the occu-
w. is sitting upon it, the closed and
lad hag beside him. The cords and
sals on the box are intact.
This astonishing feat is accomplished
H.. The occupant of the bag has in
.,od wooden plug in the mouth
rtile the tying is being done. When
a | cbost is locked, he pulls it out, slips
\ his hand. pulls off the cords, gets
4, and replaces the cords over the top
4 the sack.
h. tbe time The chest is roped he is
~ The chest has a secret opening,
'srollv at the end, and while it is hid
n he crawls out. A slim man is
'.rollv employed to do the trick.
Tbe vanity fair trick is one of the
.ost battling in the repertory of the
H. art. A woman stands before
(. rca mirror about ten feet high and
'ubced in a heavy frame. About three
In from the floor is q small shelf
heed against the mirror, the bottom
A which is about eighteen inches from
IN floor. The glass having been duly
nspected the Young woman mounts
IA shelf. She then turns to arrange
n hair by the mirror She is asked to
,ce the audience. but again and again
Inns her back. hence the name of the
Ick
FINALLY. losing patience, the perform
4 thrusts q small screen in front of
IA, fires a pistol at the spot where
h was standing, snatches away the
Geen. and She has vanished.
'The top bottom and sides of the mir
b have been in view all the time and
bly the coulter has been hidden for a
Nv seconds
The secret lies in Die fact that the
liver part OF the mirror is made
Dube, the bottom of the upper part
eng concealed by a second sheet of
Drered glass placed in front of it.
'The shelf tits against the line of
lnction, aud enables the mirror to be
zamined by the audience. AS soon as
u screen Is placed the mirror slides
b about q foot into the top of the
rme. The bottom of this mirror is
b away in the middle. leaving hole
bOut eighteen inches square, which
'aS previously concealed from view
the double glass at the Ease.
Through this hole the lady instantly
hIs and escapes by board which
Is been pushed forward from behind
Il scenes While the vanity fair by
hy was going on. The glass then
Hdes down again, the screen is re-
|oyed. and The mirror appears just
solid as il was before.
another OF the most astounding feats
modern magic is that of making a
'rSon or object apparently float in the
\ a couple of ordinary chairs are
Aced on the stage-well toward the
lck, which is draped with black cloth
and upon these is laid a broad, thick
pink. a young lady is then intro
lced and is assisted to place herself
recumocnt position on the plank.
PIE then draws aside the chairs, and
I plank, with the lady on it, remains
Pparently suspended in the air. To
oVe that The plank is not supported,
4 exhibitor takes a large hoop and
lsSes 1t backward and forward over
y around the plank.
'et there is an attachment. AS soon
Inc lady is placed in position on
I board a carriage, placed behind the
'ck curtain and supporting a strong
" par twice bent upon itralf, is
'sned forward by an assistant so that
iron bar which is covered with
uch cloth, comes out through a slit
Tue curtain while the exhibitor is
etendins to mesmerize the lady. The
mas at its end a very strong clip,
!" Tue performer. while making his
'pnolic passes, guides this on to the
nrd' The chairs are then removed,
" 'he board remains suspended by
invisible iron bar.
ne hoop is passed along from one
\ unIll II reaches the bend where
oar pdSSes through the curtain.
\ peflortAef passes it round the end
Tue board and himself walks be-
pu' paSSinS the ring along in the OPP
e,'e direction. Next it is brought
FA again, and the effect is such that
average spectator is convinced that
noop has really been passed over
duy ana the board from end to
AA"otnef very effective illusion. ar
rseu upon the same principle. shows
Heiu ana bust of lady supported
'nreo legged stool resting on
=" laoIe. One can apparently see
Oniy between the legs of the table
'"e oack of the stage. but through
space between the stool and the ia