FAMILY FUN

New Zealand Tablet, 10 April 1913, Page 62

FAMILY FUN

TRICKS AND ILLUSIONS. (Special to' the N.Z. Tablet, by 'Mahatha.') The Disappearing Coin. —The effect of this pretty little trick is that a coin is placed on the palm of the performer's hand, which is then closed. Upon being opened immediately, the coin is found to have disappeared. In order to perform this, all that is necessary is to cover the third finger nail with soft wax or soap. The coin is placed near the ball of the thumb. When the hand is closed the coin will adhere to the finger nail. A little care will be needed in showing the hand in such a manner that this finger nail is not seen. It would be advisable to practise this—and indeed all tricks— front of a mirror, before performing it in public. A Card-reading Feat.—A pack of cards in case is shown. The performer proceeds to take one card out at a time and correctly names it. The pack may be new and have the duty stamp still affixed. The explanation is very simple. When the performer has satisfied all that the pack has never been opened, he tears a piece from the bottom of the case, which exposes the index of one of the cards. This card he calls out and immediately ' draws it forth. This movement may be repeated until several cards have been named in a similar manner. The performance of this illusion will be rendered much easier if the performer places the case of cards to his forehead each time as if in thought, when he will have no difficulty in reading the index of each card. The Handkerchief and Broken Match.—The effect of the following trick is very mystifying. The performer borrows a wooden match. This he places in the centre of a handkerchief and requests a member of the company to break, through the folds of the handkerchief. Upon unfolding the latter the match—may be marked beforehand—is found intact. In order to perform this all that is necessary is to place a wooden match before commencing the illusion in the hem of your handkerchief where its presence will not be detected. When you borrow a match you ask a gentleman to mark it with a pencil so that he will recognise it again. You then place this match in the centre of the handkerchief and place the half containing the match in hem over it. You then reverse handkerchief and ask a gentleman to break the match. It is the one in the hem which he breaks, the other marked match being held lower down. When he has broken the match shake out the handkerchief and let the marked match drop on to the table. A Simple Card Trick.—The effect of this pretty trick is as follows: The performer shows a cardthe eight of hearts—and after naming it places it back on the top of the pack. Without exposing the front of the card he again takes it up and places it in the centre of the pack. Before pushing it right home he shows the top of the card to prove that it is no other than the eight of hearts which he is putting in. The pack is then squared up and upon nipping the cards the eight of hearts is found to be upon the top again. Some will probably exclaim that you have a duplicate eight of hearts. The conjuror however allows the pack to be examined and everything is found in order. All the preparation necessary for performing this trick is to have a seven of hearts and an eight of hearts on the top of the pack before beginning the trick. When you show the eight of hearts at the commencement of the experiment you really have the seven of hearts behind it. When these cards are again placed on the pack the latter will of course be on top. It is this card which is placed into the middle of the pack. You show a part of the card just before pushing it home, and if you keep one finger over the index no one will suspect that it is,not the eight. The rest of the trick needs no explanation.