Read Ebook: Hanky Panky by Frikell Wiljalba Cremer W H William Henry Editor

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Ebook has 1264 lines and 88235 words, and 26 pages

HANKY PANKY.

FLY AWAY, JACK!

Take two pieces of white paper, about the size of a sixpence, and moisten them well on both sides. Put one on the first joint of each forefinger, just at the root of the nail, and place these fingers on the edge of the table, straight out, while the rest are closed up under the hands.

Then say:

"Two little dickey birds sat on the sill, One named Jack--t'other named Jill! Fly away, Jack!"

Close the right forefinger, and with the middle finger remove the paper and retain it there, while the forefinger is quickly replaced in the first position to show the veritable flight of Jack. Then say,

"Fly away, Jill!"

And repeat with the left forefinger. Then say:

"Come back, Jack!"

And take the piece of paper from the right middle finger upon the forefinger as at first, and replace it on the table.

"Come back, Jill."

The same with the other hand. Then conclude:

"The two little birds are sitting there still!"

DANCE, BOATMAN, DANCE!

Herr Professor Bobine von Rhumkorff amuses little children by holding up his hand, with the thumb and finger thus posed:--

The thumb is made to spring up and down to a lively air and to the words "Dance, de Boatman, dance!" Then the thumb stops while the fingers are set leaping, to the words:

"Boatman's piccaninnies dance, 'cause fader dance all alone by heself!"

Then leave the forefinger capering and sing:

"Eldest son of de Boatman, dance!"

Then all the fingers but the first leap about to the words:

"De whole family dance, 'cause him eldest son he dance all alone!"

So on with the other fingers, the little one being the baby, and the middle one Mrs. Boatman.

Some put on a black glove and make four chalk spots on the fingertip to represent eyes, nose, and mouth.

BUY A BIRD.

Fold each finger over the next, the forefinger undermost upon the thumb, and say:

"Who will buy my birds?"

On one saying he or she will make the purchase, you quickly open your hand and cry:

"They all have flown away!"

LITTLE WATCHMAN.

Hold up the left hand, open.

"This is the thumb!"

Touch the three principal fingers.

"This, this, this a plum!"

Put down forefinger.

"He eats this one!"

Put down middle finger.

"He takes his brother!"

Put down third finger.

"And grabs the other!"

Hold up little finger and wag it sadly.

"And little Watchman's left alone!"

TO CARRY HOT COALS IN THE HAND.

Cover the palm with sand, ashes, or any non-conductor, and calmly put the live coals on it. Which ancient "sell" will be found in the first German mediaeval play, entitled "The Burning Iron," by Hans Sachs, "performed for the first time in Nuremberg in the year 1531." A peasant woman suspects her husband of some crime, and she arranges with her mother that he must pass under the ordeal of the "burning iron"--that is, a piece of iron made red-hot must be picked up with his bare hand, and carried round the room. If his hand remain unscathed, he is innocent; if he be burnt, then he is guilty. The husband promises to undergo the ordeal; but before doing so, manages to place, unseen by his wife, a flat piece of wood upon the hollow of his hand, and with this deception he passes through the ordeal successfully. Mr. Hanky Panky believes this gentleman to have been his "long-lost brother."

THE COIN TRICK, FROM AN HIBERNIAN POINT OF VIEW.

Our brother magician, Signor Blitz, tells us the following tale, which is useful as a warning:--

While conversing in a grocery store with the proprietor, an Irishman came in to make some purchases. The trader was extremely anxious for me to astonish him by performing some feat, which I complied with. Before concluding I requested the loan of a quarter of a dollar from the Hibernian, which he at first refused, and even when the storekeeper pledged himself responsible for it, he reluctantly gave it to me. I desired him to close his hand, and hold the money secure, and I would change it into a five-dollar gold piece.

"Faith!" he muttered, as he grasped the quarter, "it is just as I would like to have ye after doing, but I don't believe you can coin money so aisy. Let me see if you can do it!" he exclaimed.

"It is already done," I said. "Open your hand and see."

The man cautiously relaxed his fingers, and, at the first glimpse of the gold, jumped and hurrahed wildly, as an Irishman only can; but when his curiosity was entirely satisfied as to its reality, he carefully deposited it in his pocket, with many thanks, declaring me to be the most wonderful man in the world.

I here desired him to replace the money in my hand, and I would again convert it to the original quarter.

"Sure, afther Mike being rich, would ye make him poor again?"

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