"You observe that the trick has not yet begun," said Joe, with a laugh, as he blew out the match. "In other words, I am lighting these candles in the ordinary way—just as any one of you would do it, if he needed to. In a moment I will show you how to light the candles in case one is accidentally blown out and you have no match."
Allowing both candles to burn up well, with clear, bright flames, Joe suddenly blew out one.
"Now," he said, "I will show you how to carry fire in your hands from the lighted to the unlighted candle. Watch me closely!"
Joe cupped his hands around the lighted candle, seeming to take the flame up in his fingers. When he removed his hands, which he still held in cup, or globular, shape, the second candle had been extinguished. Both were now out.
"You will notice that I am carrying the flame in my hands from one candle to the other," said Joe, in a loud voice, as he walked across the stage.
For an instant he spread his hands, cup fashion, around the candle he had first blown out. Suddenly he withdrew his hands, holding them wide apart and in full view of the audience, and, lo! the unlighted candle was glowing brightly.
There was a moment of silence, and then the applause broke forth. Joe bowed and said:
"That is how to carry fire in your hands. But please don't any of you try it unless you get the directions from me."
"Tell us how to do it!" piped up a small boy.
"Come and see me after the show!" laughed Joe.