FAMILY FUN

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 15, 11 April 1907, Page 38

FAMILY FUN

What is that from which you -may take away the whole and yet have some left ? — Wholesome.

What is it which, if you even name it, you break it ?— Silence.

What workman is continually on the strike.— A" blacksmith. Who is paid only when he plays ?— the actor. When is butter like Irish, children ?— When it is made into little pats. If you should stumble over a new mat, what science are you— shown to have neglected ? — Pneumatics: Why is a crocodile the most deceitful- of animals ? — JBecause its countenance is most open when taking us in.

What is the smallest bridge on earth ?— The bridge of the nose.

How it is Done. — Not .infrequently the thought- - reader incltrdes some feats of lightning calculation in. his performance, and astonishes . his audiende by announcing that 'My medium will write . on the blackboard the total of a sum which will be written on. a piece of paper by three members of the audience, without on© word or sign from me, and without seeing the figures.' This may be described as the thought-reader's most audacious piece of trickery. Prior to the performance he -decides on" a total which the medium, memorises. When the curtain goes up foe produces a piece of writing-paper and asks three of the audience, in different parts, of the hall, each to write down a line of figures to form a small addition sum. Then he presents the paper to a fourth person, with the request that the latter will draw a line and add the figures up. This is done, - and without hesitation the v medium on the stage writes' the total on the blackboard. . • . . - •' - ■ 'Is that right, sir ? ' as^s- the entertainer! ' Yvon-' derful ! ' says - tne one who figured out the total, and -the audience duly applaud. They little know that the'" figures written • down by the three members ot the audience were not those added -up by the fourth • person, who was simply presented with the other' sadej of the paper, on which appeared another set of .figures which, added together, made the total previously agreed upon ; by the thought-reader and the medium.