The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1908-10-30
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Astonished the Natives
Remarkable Performance OF
French Wizard m Aigerro -
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ers who have doubtless witnessed the
performances OF that famous French
prestidigitateur. the late Robert
Houdin. He was never eXcelled, and
seldom equalled. in his calling. lie
was we'll declared 10 be the prince OF
conJurers, for he elevated his occupa-
ton TO a profession, and was an able
mathematician and mechanician.
His ingenuity was unlimited. and II
was absolutely impossible 10 detect the
secret of his innumerable tricks and
performances. Without the least as
sistance he would hold an audience
in delight and amazement for hours.
everything being done with a graceful
facility which showed that Houdin
absolutely enjoyed his business. He
taught his son many OF his original
tricks. but never impaired them 10
Others. while the secret of some OF
the most remarkable performances has
died with their great master. and no
one can ever hope 10 reproduce them.
Probably the first instance in which
a conjurer has been called upon TO
exercise his profession In government
employ was that of Robert Houdin.
He was sent TO Algeria by the French
Minister OF Foreign Affairs to exer-
else the black art in that benighted
country, hoping thus 10 destroy the in
fuence exercised among the Arabs bv
the Marabouts, an influence which was
often mischievously applied BY few
cunning. yet clumsy tricks. these Mar
abouts passed themselves of as
sorcerers. and were held in fear and
veneration by the ignorant tribes.
The French Government desired to
show the Arabs that these would-be
leaders among them were mere i'm
posters. and that their pretended SUI
pernatural powers We're without the
least foundation in truth. The best
way TO do this IL was thought would
be TO send one among them who
should eclipse their skill. and thus
discredit their science and pretended
powers. IL was resolved TO send Rob
ert Houdin, and the wizard was order
ed TO appear at the government Office
in Paris.
Houdin was a little puzzled 10 know
what the Minister OF Foreign Affairs
could want OF him.
The plan and purpose Of the govern
ment were made clear to him and he
entered with spirit into the idea and
its successful application. With every
facility and all needed protection
Robert Houdin sailed for Algeria to
astonish the natives.
Arriving under such favorable au-
spices. he went at once 10 work upon
the object OF his mission. and gaping
crowds followed him everywhere,
thinking him TO be inspired. He sue
ceeded in showing the people that he
no -
ignorant masses OF the population.
and thus threw them into such dis
credit that he succeeded in disarming
them almost entirely of their influence.
Still there was one OF the Marabouts
whom he had not yet met. and who
scofed at the reported power Of this
French wizard. day was therefor
appointed when the two should appear
before the people, and each give evil
dence of his own peculiar powers.
One Of the great pretensions Of the
Marabout was TO invulnerability. At
the moment that a loaded musket was
fired at him. and the trigger pulled.
he pronounced few cabalistic words.
ard the weapon would not go off. Rob
ert Houdin instantly detected the trick
and showed that the touch-hole of the
musket was carefully plugged. This
rendered the Arab conjurer furious,
and he. OF course, abused his French
rival without mercy.
Houdin was perfectly cool. and said:
You are angry with me?'
am" said the Arab.
"And would be avenged?"
Eyes"
1T is very easy"
81 will show you" said Houdin quiet
ly.
The Arab was all attention.
Take a pistol. load it yourself Here
are bullets Put one in the barrel. But
stop"
For what?"
Mark the bullet with your knife. so
that you may know it,"
The Arab did as he was told.
You are quite certain now" said
Houdin. that the pistol is properly
loaded?"
Yes"
Tell me, do you feel no remorse in
killing me thus. even though con-
sent?"
NO"
1T is strange"
You are my enemy. he coldly
answered. and | will kill you"
Wait but a moment"
Houdin then stuck an apple on the
point OF knife. and calmly gave the
word. as he held the fruit raised in
one hand.
Fire."
The pistol was discharged, the ap-
pie few far away and there appeared
in its place. stuck on the point of the
knife. the bullet the Marabout had
marked. The spectators. though
aroused TO intense excitement of feel
ing. remained mute with stupefaction,
while the Marabout bowed before his
superior. saying:
Allah is great I am vanquished."
Great was the triumph OF the French
wizard
Houdin then called for an empty
bowl. which he kept constantly full
q boiling coffee. though but few OF the
Arabs would taste IT. for they were
sure that IL was the devils coffee-pot
whence II came.
He then told them that II was within
his power TO deprive them OF all
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