The Unbreakable Match.
A man’s handkerchief is opened up and waved about to show how free it is from any trickery. A match is put in the exact center of the handkerchief which is then carefully folded up. Complete silence is asked for in order that all may hear the leader break the match. They listen carefully and admit that they hear the distinct crack of the match as it is broken. The leader shakes out the handkerchief and the match is shown, unbroken.
She repeats the performance, and each time all will admit that they heard her break the match. There are always many theories advanced as to how she does it—by cracking her finger-nails together, etc., etc., and there is always somebody who wants to see the handkerchief. Instead of showing it, however, she shakes it freely and tells them that that ought to satisfy anybody.
Just between us, there is a match pushed far into the hem at all four corners. Each time she is supposed to be cracking the match in the center of the handkerchief, she is very careful to crack one of the corner matches instead!