Mephisto's Glass Cylinders

Effect--Two glass cylinders are shown and then placed opposite to each other on the stage. Performer borrows a dozen handkerchiefs and has them all tied together; he then places them in either cylinder, as selected by the audience. Performer now commands the handkerchiefs to vanish, which they instantly do, and appear in the other cylinder which was previously shown empty. These cylinders can also be used for the vanishing and appearing of birds, rabbits, liquors, flowers, etc., etc.

Secret--Have a cylinder of opaque glass about two feet high; also two shells of same colored glass which fit over the genuine cylinder that has bottom in it; also have two pedestals (imitation of marble), which are hollow; these are placed over traps in stage at each side. Assistant under stage has a long rod on one end of which is a wooden disc; this disc is a little smaller than the inside of glass shells. Performer shows shell and cylinder together, then places them on one of the pedestals; assistant pushes up rod from below so that disc is flush with top of pedestal. Performer now places the other cylinder (shell), on the second pedestal. He now borrows some handkerchiefs and has them tied together, these he places in first cylinder and, on command to vanish, assistant quickly lowers rod and disc (cylinder containing handkerchiefs is resting on disc), down, and quickly shoves it up into the shell on second pedestal, from which the performer produces the handkerchiefs. Performer steadies outer shell, by placing his wand across top of it and bearing downwards, meanwhile addressing the audience upon some point of interest, while assistant pushes up inner cylinder. Of course you must have audience imagine that both cylinders have bottoms in them.