Hanky Panky

by Wiljalba Frikell

A PRETTY TRICK IN BALANCING.

Put an orange, apple, or other tempting object fifteen inches from the wall, and present it to any one who can pick it up while standing against the wall, or rather while keeping his legs against it. Or, again, challenge whoever has been distinguishing himself in agility to keep upright on the inner leg while sidewise against a wall.

Then—as probably you will be asked to perform some feat yourself after having thus set impossible tasks to others—put a cork in a bottle. Drive a large pin into it horizontally, and, having previously stuck two steel forks opposite each other in a second cork, with their handles inclining downwards, and run the head of a needle into the bottom of this cork, set the needle point on the pin’s head, when the forkified cork will be delicately balanced, and may even be turned round without falling.