A fitting finale to such a juggling act is that in which a potato is placed on the hand of the assistant and cut in two with a sharp sword, without leaving any mark upon the skin. As a general thing, a second potato is then cut upon the throat of the assistant. This apparently marvelous mastery of the sword always brings forth great applause.
Fig. 49.—Cutting a Potato on the Hand.
Among the several medium-sized sound potatoes on a tray are placed two potatoes prepared as follows: Insert a needle crosswise of the potato near the bottom. After showing the sword to be really sharp, by cutting paper and slicing one or two of the potatoes, the performer picks up one of the prepared potatoes and places it on the assistant’s hand; but apparently it does not lie to suit him, so he slices off one side of it, using care to cut away the side just under the needle and as close to it as possible, then places the potato once again on the assistant’s hand. After making a few flourishes with the sword, he cuts through the potato, dividing it in half. (Fig. 49.)
In striking the potato with the sword he makes sure that the sword will come exactly crosswise on the needle; consequently, when the sword reaches the needle it can go no farther, and the brittle nature of the potato will cause it to fall apart, the very thin portion below the needle offering no resistance to the separation. The second potato is then cut in the same manner on the assistant’s neck. There are many other false juggling tricks, but the above will suffice to show that “there are tricks in all trades but yours.”
The Blindfolded Juggler.
While watching the clever manner in which a good juggler passes various articles from hand to hand, how many people ever give a thought to the many hours of practice devoted to even the simplest trick that he performs? To become even a passable juggler, many weary months of constant practice are necessary. There are tricks in all trades, and some of the most successful entertainers in this line can scarcely do a half dozen genuine feats of juggling, yet they are great favorites with the public. It has been truly said that “the tricks that require the most practice are the least appreciated by the average spectator.” It is our intention merely to show how a simple trick has won fame for several well-known jugglers.
This is the trick of juggling blindfolded. An assistant tightly binds a heavy handkerchief over the juggler’s eyes, and then, to make sure that he cannot see, there is placed over his head and shoulders a sort of bag, made of heavy goods, which should exclude all light, even if his eyes were not tightly bound with the handkerchief. Regardless of this, the juggler performs the usual passes with balls and knives. Yet, when the bag is removed, the bandage over his eyes is found undisturbed. (Fig. 50.)
Fig. 50.—The Blindfolded Juggler.