Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-05

lh1S same trick is performed with a
slight variation. The bar is supported
at each end by a glass of water on a
little stand. The bar is cut without
breaking the glasses or spilling the
water.
Another seemingly impossible feat
is the cutting in two of an apple COW
cred by a handkerchief without injur-
ing the handkerchief in the least Only
the most remarkable and delicate pre-
cision in handling the sword will pre-
vent the cutting of the handkerchief
The apple is placed in a large hand
kerchief, the four corners of which
are brought together and tied. The
bag thus made is suspended in the air
by a string. With a back-handed up
per-cut the professor splits the apple
in two pieces The blade forces part
of the handkerchief ahead of it
through the apple, but the fabric is
not injured.
In cutting an apple in two on ones
hand or the back of the neck even
more delicacy of precision is demanded.
An apple is placed on the hand or the
back of the neck of a person bending
forward With short whip-snap
stroke downward, the professor brings
his sword straight at the hand and
apple as if he would split both wide
open. The spectators hold their breath
and see visions of blood The sword
falls. The apple falls in halves on the
outstretched palm, the skin on which
is not even scratched.
"Of course, the ability to do these acts
was only acquired after many hun
dreds of hours of weary practice" said
Professor Craig. I'm the last trick
have to drive the sword just so far
and not a hairs breadth farther. I do
this act with my brother often, cutting
the apple while it rests on the back
of his neck. Cutting the apple in the
handkerchief was hard to master. If
the sword is given the least bit of saw
motion backward or forward as 1t
strikes the object the handkerchief will
be cut The blade must fly straight
forward and it will never fail to cut
the apple without injuring the hand
Eerchief Cutting the bar of lead with
out tearing the strips of tissue paper
may seem mary elous, but those fa-
milar with the laws of physics will
readily see that it is possible. I have
this heavy broadsword in perfect con-
dition and strike the lead squarely with
all my might.
"There are few expert fencers in Chi
cago. but the art is growing in pop l.
larity A number of society ladies have
taken fencing lessons of me, and sew
eral of them have acquired consider
able proficiency. Among those who
have learned to handle the foil with
skill are Miss Florence Higinbotham,
Miss Ethel Page, Miss Margaret Mitch
ell, Miss Ellen Walsh. Mrs. ]. B.
Chaplin and Mrs. Mackenzie. What
characteristics must a person have to
become a fine swordsman? A quick
and steady eye and hand; all else will
be developed by practice. Fencing Is
one of the finest exercises in the
world. especially for the legs. The art
is very necessary for actors and ac-
tresses. We see some very good fenc-
ing on the stage. A number of actors
and actresses are excellent, but Francis
Wilson is probably the best"
Twenty-Five years ago Craig departed
from England with the famous eXped1-
tion that went to Egypt to the relief of
General Gordon In the terrible battle
with the crazed followers of the Madhi
at Abu Klea Wells, Craig was fight
ing only ten feet from Colonel Barnaby
when that brave British officer met his
tragic death Though the colonel was
slaughtered under his very eyes, Craig
and his comrades were powerless to
render the least assistance. Prior to
the Egyptian campaign Craig had al
ready won fame in the army at home.
When but lad of is he loft his native
home. GLASGOW. and joined the army.
In a short time his magnificent