Pine Bluff Daily Graphic

Put some perfectly clear lime water into a tumbler and through a glass tube breathe into it. The water will become as white as milk. After it has remained undisturbed for a while a deposit of white powder will be found at the bottom of the glass.

Soak a piece of thread in a solution of alum. Attach it to a light ring from the finger of one present; set fire to the thread and burn it to an ash, and yet it will continue to hold the ring if it is not jarred.

Take a small bottle with the neck not more than one-sixteenth of an inch across. Fill it with red wine and place it in a glass vessel two inches higher than the bottle and fill the vessel with water. The wine will rise from the bottle and pass through the water in a small column to the surface while the water will flow into the bottle in place of the wine. This happens because the water is specifically heavier than the wine.

Trouble-Wit.

Take a sheet of stiff paper and fold it lengthwise through the middle: turn down the edge of each fold outward and the breadth of a penny. Measure it as it is folded into three equal parts, making six divisions in the sheet. Let each third part be turned outward and the other will of course fall right. Then pinch it in one-quarter inch deep plaits, like a ruff. Close the paper in its folds, turn each corner inward with the thumb and forefinger, spread the paper, and it will assume another beautiful form. It can be transformed into a fan, a lawyer's desk, a bridge, a dark lantern, a cardinal's cap, a lantern with a rose at each end and a sugar-dish.

Ring Tricks.

Have ready two or three plain gilt rings, worth a dime or so, and when mingling with the children slip one into a boy's pocket: borrow a plain gold ring from some one present, and insist on marking it so it may be safely returned. Call one of the children, or a man or woman, if it is not a children's party, have your marked ring, your counterfeit ring and magician's wand ready. Get leave to slip the marked ring on the wand yourself and dexterously substitute the counterfeit ring held in your hand. Beg the person you have called to throw the ring on the stick out of the window. After a moment's deep meditation tell him he has deceived you, and the ring is at that moment in so-and-so's pocket.

Beg the person into whose pocket you have slipped the first ring to search for it. Be close at hand, take the ring, and, before anyone can examine it and show the lady's marked ring.

Grandfather's Necklace,

This is a trick of classic origin, as it was performed long ago by Greek jugglers. Either large beads or rings may be used in its performance.

Prepare beforehand by getting two ribbons exactly alike and the same length; double each so the ends come together: tie the ribbons at the folds with a thread exactly the same color. Slip on the rings and give two of the spectators the ends to hold. They will believe that each is holding the ends of the different ribbons. Have them hold the ribbons slackly, and then ask each of them for the ends they hold and exchange with them the ends they held before. Take hold of the rings at the center, dexterously break the thread that holds the ribbons and slip off the rings.

Tricks of Gravity.

A trick by no means easy, which depends on the finding the exact center of gravity, is well worth trying. Place a longish stick upon a table, leaving enough over the edge to exactly balance. Have a pail full of water and in it a stick just long enough to rest on the bottom of the pail with one end and to touch the stick on the table with the other. The pail of water can be hung on the projecting stick on the table and will not fall to the ground if the trick is done exactly right.

Take a wine bottle, put in its neck a cork and stick in that a stout needle in a vertical position: put a nick in another cork and fix in it a quarter of a dollar. Fix firmly in this cork, the handles inclining downward, two forks exactly opposite each other. The rim of the quarter may then be placed on the needle point and the quarter, cork and forks will turn weirdly around.

Bottle Imps.

If you can find a glass blower with a touch of talent get him to blow three little imps or harlequins for you. They must be hollow and if of red glass so much the better. If you can't find the glass blower, you may find something in the shops that will do.

Place your little clowns or devils in a spacious wide mouth jar, not entirely filled with water. Fasten over the jar very tightly and tautly a piece of bladder.

Press your fingers on the bladder or tightly tap it and the little figures will perform most amusing antics in obedience to your voice.

To Change a Rose.

A pretty little trick is to change the color of a red rose to almost white and to bring it back again to its own color.

Throw some finely pounded sulphur into a chafing dish or into an earthen pot holding live coals. As the wizard-like flames arise hold the rose in the fumes.

It is best to have one with a long stem, so as to keep from inhaling the fumes yourself; also have the room well ventilated.

In the smoke from the sulphur the rose will turn a beautiful pink white. Immerse it in a glass bowl of clear water and the color may be seen returning to its petals.