Page:The American Boy's Handy Book edition 1.djvu/389

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356
Winter.
Image missing
Fig. 222.First position of Handkerchief.

In any attempt at magic or fortune-telling, the success of the experiment depends more upon the manner in which the deceptions are performed than upon the tricks themselves. The magician or fortune-teller must be a person not liable to become flustered and confused at any little mishap. A boy with a cool head and ready invention can smooth over the most palpable mistakes and make his audience believe them all in the programme.

The Bather

is sure to produce a laugh whenever exhibited by a clever person. The preparations must be made in an apparently careless manner, so as not to attract attention. Tie a simple knot in the end of a handkerchief and let it rest against the knuckles of the left hand, while the rest of the handkerchief dangles below, as in Fig. 222; Image missingFig. 223.The Bather. do this as if you were only absent-mindedly playing with your pocket-handkerchief. Wrap the handkerchief around your two first fingers, as in Fig. 223; then, as if you had just thought of it, ask the company if they ever noticed how becoming the bathing costumes are to most people, adding, that to you a bather running down the beach always looks like this—here you make the little figure run rapidly along your lap or the tabletop toward the company (Fig. 223). The ends of the fingers

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