The action of a battery makes the duplicate coin on the table fall into a recess in its edge, while the real ones and the chosen cards, by the same power, are thrust out from the wreath by secret wires with pincer heads.
THE BEWITCHED PICTURE FRAME.
(Le Cadre à l’Assiette.)
Did you ever see such a lovely bit of Sèvres as this plate? Observe the delicacy of the tints and the dainty outlines of the floral decoration.
If I were in the musing mood, I might form quite a lecture on the scenes which this piece of porcelain conjures up: the rise of Dubarry; her downfall—Oh! the plate has slipped through my fingers, and I take it up to find it broken.
Let me see: what is smashed china fit for? I forget—but I wonder, now, if it would not make excellent wadding for a pistol! Let us try. Here is the firearm, which I will load—on the powder I put the fragments of the plate—Time severs many a beauty from her mate—Plenty of room yet. I must add these rings, with which my obliging auditors have furnished me, and this ribbon. A very formidable charge!
Boy! a target!
Call that a target?
Why, it is a black board in a frame. Never mind; it will do, unless I make a butt of you! [Exit the Attendant.]