It is of Chinese origin, and the example shown in our engraving was purchased in Chinatown, San Francisco, Cal. The puzzle consists of eight pieces of bamboo or hollow ivory tubes, each containing seven holes spaced equidistantly. Through these holes are seen to pass seven silken cords, each with a bead at the top and a tassel at the bottom. The toy is held by the loop at the top, which serves to hold the upper rod. When it is first picked up, its condition is shown in our first engraving at the left. There are seven of the rods at the top and one at the bottom. Now the lower bar of the upper set is moved down to the bar at the bottom; the two lower bars will appear to be supported by three cords at the center, as shown in our engraving, four of the cords having vanished. If the next bar is brought down, another change is observed, only the two outer cords being seen. This is shown to the right of our engraving. If the next bar is brought down, the end cords have approached the center, and five of the seven cords have vanished. The next rod brought down brings five cords into view, the two end ones and the center one being visible. When the next bar is pulled down, the center and the outer cords only remain; so that, if all the bars between the top and bottom bars are brought together, the seven cords appear to pass entirely through them. Fig. 53 gives a clew to the mystery. The rods are all hollow, and each contains seven holes; and our engraving shows the course of the silk cords. It will be noticed that where a number of cords pass through a single hole, the strand which is formed is much thicker than are the single cords; as they are of different colors, the effect is most pleasing. It will be observed that the strings go clear through the top bar; but in the next bar, although they enter the seven holes at the top, they emerge from three holes at the bottom, three of the strands going through the center hole and two through each of the end holes, and so on throughout the entire number of bars, the strings changing their course, as is clearly shown in our engraving, thus causing the increase and decrease in their number.
The “Surprise” Pen.
Our engraving shows a very clever trick pen which would tend to create great surprise among the uninitiated. Let us suppose that a gentleman is seated at his desk and is busily writing when a neighbor comes in, and he jokingly challenges the latter to try and forge his signature. He hands the pen to his friend, who attempts to write. Immediately there is an explosion, and the paper receives a big ink blot. The writer is apt to be surprised by the report, which is like a pistol shot, and, if a timid person, is apt to be frightened. The noise comes from the pen itself, as it is so constructed that it can be loaded and shot off at will. The person in the secret can handle the pen with safety, but the poor unfortunate will experience a rather unexpected shock to his nerves when he attempts to write with it.
Fig. 54.—The “Surprise” Pen.
The upper part of the penholder, into which an ordinary writing pen is thrust, works on a pivot about half way down its length. This separate part is provided with only one-half a bottom, in order that it may engage the conical head of a piston rod, which ends in a plunger, which sets off the cap secured in the bottom of the penholder. The normal position of the plunger is against the cap of the holder; but it can be raised by means of a projecting pin riveted to the rod and passing through a slot cut in the side of the lower part of the holder. Now, the closed half of the bottom of the pivoted end enters a notch caused by the conical head of the plunger; and the plunger, with its spring, is cocked, as it were, by means of the projecting pin, and is held in place by the bottom of the pivoted section. When the pen is pressed to the paper the pivoted section swings on the pivot, releasing the plunger, which is forced down on the explosive cap by the spring.
The lower end of the penholder is threaded, so that it can secure the end cap firmly in place. The explosive cap is put in the end cap, and it is screwed on the bottom of the holder. Ordinary paper caps for children’s pistols are used. As long as the plunger simply rests on the cap there is no danger of an explosion; but, just before the joker wishes to give his friend a scare, he cocks it by pushing the plunger up with the pin, until the pivoted top engages it.
The “Miraculous Wineglasses.”
As a rule, magicians are very generous fellows, always ready to give their audiences something, such as coins and handkerchiefs, but, just when one thinks they have the gift safely in their grasp, it mysteriously vanishes. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule, one of whom is a very popular English performer.
