Later Day Tricks
A. Roterberg
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The New Nest of Boxes
THE effect of this trick consists of borrowing a watch, which is wrapped in a sheet of paper, the spectators choosing which of three colors of paper, i.e. red, white or blue, the performer shall use for the purpose. The parcel is then tied with a ribbon, the color of which is likewise selected by the company, and wrapped in a handkerchief, which is given to some one to hold. The performer next calls attention to a corded and sealed box, which has been seen standing on the table during the entire performance, and commands the borrowed watch to leave the handkerchief and appear in the corded and sealed box. Upon shaking out the handkerchief, the latter is seen to be empty. A spectator is requested to cut the tapes surrounding it and discovers in it another box, also sealed and corded. This is opened and in it is found a sealed and corded third box, which after being examined, is opened by a spectator, who discovers in it the borrowed watch, wrapped in the selected paper and tied with the selected color of ribbon.
To understand the modus operandi of the trick a somewhat detailed description of the construction of the boxes is necessary. The smallest box, which is the only one of the three boxes that is prepared, is of about the size of a watch box and opens at the end same as the latter; the spring catch found on every watch box being however omitted. The end simply pivots in the middle (not on the top as in the watch box), two nails being for this purpose driven in the sides of the box. About a half an inch above these are stationed two more nails which simply being dummies, do not penetrate the sides of the box. At a similar distance below the center nails will be found two more nails, which however fit but loosely in their holes. The rest of the box is then studded with similar nails to match its prepared end.
It will be readily understood, that upon partly withdrawing the bottom nails, the end of the box may be opened and any article introduced into it; but when the end is closed and the bottom nails pressed back into their place, the box may be freely examined without any one discovering the preparation, as the bottom nails entered the end and prevented it from being opened. A tape is now tied crosswise around the box in such a way as not to interfere with the working of the end. The latter is then placed upside down in a second larger box, whose only pectiliarity is, that its inside is two inches longer and a quarter of an inch wider than necessary to ensure a snug fit. The prepared end of the small box is left partly open, a small wad of paper placed there preventing it from accidentallly closing. The bottom nails are also partly withdrawn and are kept from sliding into place by additional wads. The second box is then corded and sealed and placed in the largest box in which it just fits; this box is then tied and sealed in a similar way.
The rest of the properties required are several sheets of red, white and blue paper, some pieces of ribbon of different shades, and a large handkerchief with an old watch, which is in running order, sewn in its corner.
The performer borrows a watch and wraps it in the paper chosen by the company, tying this with the selected ribbon as already explained. He then pretends to wrap the parcel in the handkerchief but palms it and instead wraps up the watch sewn in the double corner. This parcel is given to a spectator to keep, who is requested to convince himself of the presence of the watch in the handkerchief by listening to its ticking. In the meantime the conjurer has disposed of the watch by dropping it into his profonde or pochette.
The watch apparently wrapped in the handkerchief is now commanded to leave the latter and to appear in the corded box. After the handkerchief is shaken out and seen to be empty, attention is called to the box, whose fastenings are duly inspected. A spectator cuts the tapes and the performer proceeds to take out the second box, which he gives to another spectator to hold, while he places the largest box on the table. During this time he has obtained possession of the borrowed watch and palmed it in the right hand; transferring the large box from the left to the right hand, thereby enabling him to lay the watch, unseen by any one, behind the large box in the act of placing the latter on the table.
After the tapes surrounding the second box are cut and the latter opened by the performer, who under pretense of removing the paper packing, allows the borrowed watch, which he has meanwhile picked up, to slide into the partly open end of the small box, which contains a little cotton batting to prevent any noise made in dropping the watch into the box. All this of course is the work of an instant only, the performer immediately bringing out the small box after having closed its open end. While carrying it to a spectator with the request to examine it thoroughly, he presses the partly withdrawn nails into their regular place. The spectator, after examining the box as requested and finding nothing suspicious about it, cuts the tapes and discovers in it the missing watch, still contained in the original package.
It will be best to have all boxes constructed of ordinary deal and have all three of like appearance, as in boxes made of fancy woods the nails on the innermost box, which play such an important part in the trick, would appear somewhat out of place.
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