To make the experiment more effective, use colored paper, which shows up against the coin more than white.
The Pocket Vanish.—Take a coin in the right hand and make believe to place it in the left, really palming it. The left hand is closed as if it contained the coin and held away from the body. The right hand pulls back the sleeve slightly, as if to show that the coin has not been vanished in that direction. This movement brings the right hand over the outside breast pocket, into which the coin is allowed to fall unperceived. The coin is now vanished from the left hand in the orthodox manner, and both hands are shown empty.
Should you desire to regain possession of the coin, have the outside pocket made communicating with an inner one on the same side of the coat; when, having shown the right hand unmistakably empty, you produce the coin thence, in a magical manner.
To Pass a Coin Into an Ordinary Matchbox Held by One of the Spectators.—Prepare a matchbox as follows: Push open the sliding portion about one inch. Then fix between the top of the slide and the back end of the box a coin, the greater part of which is overhanging the box, the whole being out of sight of the casual observer. Arranged thus, give the box to someone to hold, with instructions that when you count three the box is to be closed smartly. This will have the effect of jerking the coin into the box.
You may now take a duplicate coin by means of the “Pocket Vanish,” or any other convenient method, counting “One! two! three!” when, acting according to your instructions, the person will close the box, and the coin will be heard to fall inside.
THE OLD TRUNK
This department we believe is destined soon to become one of the most popular features of the magazine. Not only shall we spare no pains upon our part, but we also earnestly ask your co-operation in providing puzzles of all shapes and descriptions to bewilder and tangle the most ingenious of intellects. To each of the first three persons who shall correctly solve all the following puzzles, we will give a year’s subscription to Young Folks Magazine, to be sent to any desired address.
The following are the names of the first three persons to solve correctly the puzzles in last month’s number and who are, therefore, each entitled to a year’s subscription to Young Folks Magazine: