MR ALFRED ROTHSCHILD'S LITTLE SURPRISE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2667, 26 April 1905, Page 68

MR ALFRED ROTHSCHILD'S LITTLE SURPRISE.

Mr Alfred Rothschild is a great presentgiven. Every Christmas he sends his friends lome-made pates d« foie gras, cheeses and home-grown turkeys, whilst those who can call him "uncle" or "godfather" come off extremely well in the matter of "tips." * — "Mr- Alfred's" (Christmas Party. — Some few years ago Mr Alfred was giving a big Christmas party to which the Prince and Princess of Wales (row their Majesties) were invited. Having secured the services of that eminent conjurer, Mr Charles Bertram, the millionaire, being anxious to make the entertainment really a success, had a talk vith the "man of magic" as to the programme of tricks, etc., he proposed to give.

" Now, look here, Mr Bertram," said Mr Alfred, "I want to give each of my guests a little present. Do you think you could manage to introduce some kind of a conjuring trick by means of which you could distribute the presents in a novel vavV "

-'Why. certainly, Mr Alfred — certainly," replied the distinguished conjurer. "Well, then, here's a small eheoue. I'll leave the presents to you. There'll be about 30 guests to buy things for. And get something nice for the Prince, because he's ■coming, you know* Now, good-bye." And ifjr Alfred was gone.

— A "Small' Cheque.—

When he gpt outside, Mr Bertrim opened the envelope containing the money, and -fc.«nd to his utter amazement that the *'small cheque" was for £800 ! " I never knew until then how difficult it was t<* spend: money," remarked Mr Ber-

tram afterwards. "It took me a whole day driving about all over L»oncion from one shop to another to lay out that cheque; and even when I'd got all the \ resents. I v, as still a good deal to the good."

— The Crowning Triumph of the Evening. —

The grand party night came, and with it the distinguished guests, before -whom the well-known conjurer was to give a display of his migic. He performed many wonderful f ricks, and then came the crowning triumph of the evening. Brooches and bracelets fell, as it were, ficm heaven, dainty bits of jewellery were conjured up from the most impossible places, and gifts of all kinds appeared in aiiSwer to a wave of the magic wand, and were presented to the astonished audience. Everyone had received a gift except the Prince, who was turning to the Princess to remark on the fact, when Mr Bertram suddenly conjured into existence, as it were, a beautiful plain gold cigarette case, which he presented to the Prince.

— The Prince and the Man of Magic. — His Royal Highness had ro sooner- expressed his delight at the gift, than. -Mr Bertram came forward and said :

" Allow me, your Highness, I have forgotten something." Taking back the gift, he made a few mysterious passes over it with his magic wand, and then handed it back to the mystified Prince — with his Highness's initials and monogram blazing in diamonds in the corner!

Tableau !

Of course, the Prince was hugely delighted, and so was Mr Rothschild ; but the conjurer did not enlighten the mystified guests as to how the trick was done, though perhaps a peep inside one of Mr Bertram's pockets might hove explained the mystery — for there reposed a plain gold cigarette case.