Miracles of Modern Magic
Harry Whiteley
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A Floating Billiard Ball
by Ed. Fielding
AFTER other sleights the performer offers to repeat a pass slowly, for the benefit of those who have not been able to follow his movements. The ball is taken in right hand, the left being about two feet away quite clear from the body. Now the ball floats from right hand to left and back again, and is then at once given for examination. To add to the effect the conjurer can bring his hands nearer together or farther apart at any time during the trick.
The motive power is derived from a lead weight, two inches by one in size, provided with a grooved pulley wheel and guard, and our very old friend--black silk thread.
Two dressmakers' eyes must first be sewn inside performer's trouser leg at the top, about one inch apart, and over the right trouser leg. The thread is now passed by a needle through the waistcoat from the inside, level with the top edge of right-hand pocket, and then again through waistcoat, this time from the outside, about one inch below the previous position. The needle is now taken off thread and teh ends tied together. The double thread is now passed through the eye nearest trouser fly, and put over the pulley wheel on weight, which is dropped down trouser leg.
The thread is next passed through the second eye, and then secured by looping over one of the trouser buttons. In working the trick, while calling attention to the ball (which should be of light wood or ivorine), the first finger of right hand is slipped through the loop of thread from waistcoat and drawn out a few inches. When the left hand places the ball in right, the first finger of left hand goes between the threads, so that when hands are drawn apart a double thread, always taut, is provided, and along this set of lines the billiard ball runs from hand to hand, according to which is elevated.
Immediately the trick is over, and the thread is slipped from the fingers, the concealed weight draws it back to the waistcoat, and leaves the performer free to show both his hands and the ball.
The same apparatus can be used for the floating wand.
By using an indiarubber ball, coloured to match the solid one, a finer thread may be used, enabling the performer to perform it at quite close quarters.
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