A Magician's Hope Chest
By U. F. Grant

The magician calls attention to a box which he says is his "Hope Chest." The front and top doors are opened and it is obvious that the box is empty. The doors are closed. The performer says that he carries his toilet articles in the box when he travels. He opens the top door and produces a comb, brush, razor, shaving mug, shoe horn, necktie, collars, etc.

The box is shown empty again. The magician states that on his most recent trip around the world he saw a beautiful meadow with a brook running through it in England. He liked it so well that he put it in his Hope Chest and brought it home with him. He closes the box, then opens the top, reaches in and produces a picture of a meadow and a brook.

The magician continues that he has a pint of the bonded stuff in the box, but it is quite invisible. Before removing the liquid he passes the box out for examination. On its return he pours liquid out of the box into a bottle.

There is a mirror in the box running from the strip of wood A to the bottom of the back of the box B. A thin piece of nickel-plated brass makes the best mirror. The edges will not show if the box has a mahogany finish. Paste the picture to the back of the mirror with a strip of passe partout around the outside edge to form a frame. Both doors of the box should be opened at right angles. The reflection of the front door and hinges in the mirror makes it appear that you are seeing the back of the box, top door and hinges. The production articles are behind the mirror, and only the top door is open when they are produced. When the picture is produced, the back of the box is turned toward the audience. After this the box may he passed for examination.

To pour liquid from the box, use a bottle with a double funnel in the neck. Tilt the closed box, and apparently the liquid runs from the box through the funnel and into the bottle.