THE OBEDIENT HANDKERCHIEF.
This little trick is usually performed in connection with some other handkerchief trick or with some act in hypnotism.
The performer having borrowed a handkerchief from some one in the audience for some trick, before returning same to the owner states that he is going to try and make the handkerchief stand alone. He ties a knot in one corner of the handkerchief, rubs it between his hands, “to endow it with magnetism,” and then places same on the floor. At his command the handkerchief rises or falls, it dances to music, and altogether acts in a very strange manner. He now picks the handkerchief up and carries it forward to its owner.
There are several methods of performing this little experiment, and, while not much of a trick in itself, if well presented it is very interesting. The old method used to be of having a string extending from the floor to the ceiling and thence passing over a small pulley to the back or side of the stage. On the end of the string on the stage was a small bent pin or a pellet of wax. The performer when tying the knot in the handkerchief stuck the pin in the corner of same or stuck the wax to the handkerchief, whichever method was used. His assistant from the side of the stage was now able to operate the handkerchief. This was somewhat of a clumsy method, as it took a little dexterity to release the handkerchief from the string after the performance. The method now usually employed, and on which the details are worked out with care, is to have a fine black string passing from one side of the stage to the other. The performer has an assistant at both sides. When he is to perform this trick they raise the string to the height of his hands, and in tying the knot in the handkerchief he ties it loosely around the string. He now drops it to the floor, and at his command the assistants are able to raise the handkerchief and make it move forward and backward in a very mystifying manner. To heighten the effect the performer passes a chair or a tambourine over the handkerchief, thus showing that there is no connection made from above, which is the method usually supposed to be employed. Now, when he returns the handkerchief one assistant drops his end of the string and the other holds his firmly, and the performer walking down to the front of the stage with the handkerchief, the string is drawn through the knot.
Another method of fastening the string to the handkerchief may be employed where the performer is able to carry the handkerchief to the side of the stage before performing the experiment. In this case he passes a needle to which is attached a thread through a corner of the handkerchief, and then walks to the other side of the stage, where he gives one assistant an end of the string, the other end being held by the assistant on the first side.
There is also another method of performing this, in which the performer passes a solid hoop completely over and around the handkerchief while it is suspended in the air This little contrivance, being one of my own, consists of a fine piece of wire made on the same plan as the apparatus used in suspending a woman in mid-air, which I will explain in the next chapter.
CHAPTER III.
THE FLOATING GIRL.
The following illusion is usually performed in connection with an act of hypnotism, and is very sensational and mystifying. The effect is as follows:—On the stage is a long, narrow couch with back and ends, usually upholstered in some dark material. The legs of the couch are about twelve inches high, and the audience are able to see plainly underneath the couch. The performer introduces a young lady, and apparently hypnotizes her. She then lies down upon this couch and the performer continues to make more passes over her, arranges the draperies of her dress, and sometimes covers her with a small shawl. He then takes a position in back of the couch directly over her and continues his hypnotic passes. To the wonderment of all, she is seen to rise slowly from the couch to a considerable height. The couch is now removed by two assistants, and she is apparently suspended in mid-air. To disprove the agency of any mechanical appliance the performer now has brought to him a solid wooden hoop, which he passes completely over, in back, and again over the suspended girl. His two assistants then bring back the couch, and she slowly sinks back upon the seat of same. The performer now rouses her from her hypnotic sleep, she rises, bows to the audience and retires.
I will now explain how this illusion is usually performed. It can only be performed on a theatre stage or where there is plenty of room underneath, as this is where the working of the trick takes place. There is a false seat to the couch, which consists of a board from four and a half to five feet long and from six to eight inches wide. This board is upholstered in the same material as the couch, and when laying on the seat of the couch cannot be noticed. There is a small slot cut in the back of the couch in the very center, from the top down to the seat. This slot is hidden by the upholstery so it cannot be noticed by the audience.