To my sometimes perverse way of thinking, this is the best and cleanest way of presenting a newspaper test yet conceived. The method for securing the numbers which in turn are used to indicate a column and ad is most disarming and highly original. In book tests and effects of this nature I have always objected to the introduction of outside and otherwise foreign objects such as cards, dice, counters, numbered papers and whatnot that immediately gave the effect an air of preparedness and trickery.

In the case at hand there is nothing ever seen by the audience except the newspaper and it becomes a means unto itself. That is what gives the entire stunt a veritable air of nonchalance and fairness.

The other important point is the ease with which it may be done and the fact that the performer has little to get ready. He can purchase a paper on the way to his engagement and use it with but two minutes of perusal. Or, if desired to perform the feat impromptu, he may use a paper at hand with no more than two minutes of time in preparation. Professionals greatly appreciate such a point as this.

EFFECT

In effect a copy of the daily newspaper is shown and the performer states he will try a feat of telepathy in conjunction with the want or classified advertising. The paper is opened and one page of these classified ads is torn out, it being given to a member of the audience to hold.

Now the performer says he is in need of a method for having one of the many ads selected in an open and obviously fair manner. So saying, he holds the newspaper in front of him and with one motion tears off the upper right corner of the entire paper. This includes all the pages and also includes, to which he calls attention, all the numbered corners of the paper.

Laying the paper aside, the packet of corners is tossed into a borrowed hat or bowl and mixed well by anyone. The performer asks this person to reach in without looking, to select just one of the corners, crumple it up small and drop it on his (performer’s) hand. The performer hands it directly to the person holding the torn out page and walks to a far corner of the room. This person is told to look at the selected corner. On both sides of this corner will be a number. They are to select either number and use that to count across the page to a column. Then they are to use the other number and count down that column to an individual ad. They are to concentrate upon the wording and subject matter of this ad and call to the performer when ready. He returns and effectively reveals what the ad is all about even if not able to give the wording in its exact form.

The effect never fails to win applause and a lot of wonder through its directness. The method is as direct. Previously the performer has torn out a corner, it being for instance the corner bearing the page numbers 5 and 6. Turning to the page that he will remove later and which contains nothing but classified ads, he reads the sixth ad in column five and the fifth ad in column six. The main thing is merely to know what it is about and not bother to learn it word for word.

METHOD

In his pocket he carries the well known and respected thumb tip. Into this he puts this stolen corner after crumpling it up. Now the effect proceeds as described. The corner selected by the spectator mixing the pieces is placed on the performer’s outstretched left palm while the right hand has secured the tip on the thumb. When going to the person with the page, the right thumb is placed on the left palm and paper, left fingers close, and thumb comes from hand with the stolen slip from tip and this is handed to the spectator as the left hand pockets the tip and other corner while the performer walks away. He watches the spectator from a distance while the counting is done and therefore knows which of the two ads has been selected. Newspapers have columns on both sides of the page and both sides line up with each other.

The mystery is over and a few or great many more people have been mystified.