The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-09-23
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II nad the pleasure Of exposing
a Spaniard, named Agra MesseIla,
in New York not long ago." said
Houdini, breaking the golden flood
OF reminiscence." If he had said
he was conjurer, pure and sim.
pie, would have let him alone.
But he claimed to be able TO look
through metal through strange
physical powers.
He said he could look at the
closed front of a watch and tell
the time given by the hands thus
concealed. / had to show him UP.
And here's the way he did 1t. Take
this watch and set it to what:
ever time you please"
He handed US an aging hunting
case watch, and we twirled the
hands until they stood, ct q
o'clock, snapped shut the front
and handed the timepiece to the
mystifier. He held the watch in
his hand, at arms length, frowned.
at it, smiled and said, question
inglv, Ten otter twelve?"
INC" .wek exclaimed In glee,
hopping from desk to desk in ex-t
Cftenrerft. ~ 1+ss+e.---s - -
AS"Ah, 2 o'clock m" he said, II
had the handsbwrong, hut the poal
sition was right" 80 ~ ri
He returned the watch, still UNI
opened, to Ye Ed, and we con.
fir1ned his statement.
After the haze OF wonderraent
had passed we asked: y
Are you stih interested; In
spirits?"
'sAs much as ever" he said.
I'm not a sceptic. want to
know that life exists beyond the,
grave, but I have uncovered no
proof of this. 1t saddens me
every time / find that with my
knowledge Of magic / can dupli.
cate every manifestation ! have
ever seen. I am still an earnest
seeker after the truth. -
And he looked sadly at US, but
his eyes bore the suspicion Of q
knowing twinkle.
There's that case up In Boa.
ton" suggested Mr.. C--w-g.
''Oh, yes! It's a. woman who
claims psychic properties. the
magician said, "A jury, Of which
am member, have investigated
her. She is beautiful woman.
Sometimes beautiful woman may
sway minds But ] am not at
liberty to tell you how the test
came out until after October 10. :"
"HOw's your library2" we asked.
referring to his library on magic,
the largest Of its kind in the
world.
Growing no wing all the
time. he answered. I've willed
it to. the Congressional Library.
you know"
There were other items Of In
terest. Germany Is producing
clever mechanical works Of magic.
India has run dry-it's full OF old
tricks. The ectoplasm craze has
fallen with dull thud. Professor
Houdini is leaving vaudeville after
this week for a lecture tour at
colleges. Mrs. Houdini 10 fine, and
the professor is still looking for a
place where good regular dinners
are served.
J, Lansburgh and Brother are
sending a. packing case and 12.O00
nails to Keith's tomorrow night,
to see II the elusive wonder
worker can't be caught. And Pro.
lessor Houdini is always anxious
to hear from anyone offering
proof of the existence of com.
municative spirits.
You must come around and see
Mrs. Houdini." said the professor
in closing. And / want you to be
sure to see me get out Of Mr..
.Lansburgh's packing case" =
Thus was another great man In
duced to break into public print,
and another journalistic scalp
added to this valiant pennan's
gallery Of memories, although the
seas Of time beat on the beach
Of the present and a good table
d,hota dinner Is hard to find.