Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 April 1892 — HAND-SHADOW MAKING [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HAND-SHADOW MAKING

THE WAY TO BRIGHTEN A DULL EVENING. Fan Older than Uncle Sam, Always New to Some and Welcome to AH—The Tricks Illustrated as They Never Uave Been Before. An Amu*Ui|C Pastime •Hand shadows” may be shown on a Wall or on an ordinary piece of sheeting, but a better plan is lor the operator to stand behind a screen. For this purpose an ordinary folding Tin on horse, about five or six feet high, will answer well. These are generally in three sections, which fold <n canvas hinges. Strain a piece of calle > a;out one and one-half (yards square across the upper part of the middle sect.on. Drape the rest of the linen horse, and your screen is ready for use. A candle should be placed a few feet behind the center of the calieo, and all other lights should be removed or turned down. The hands, when at wor< between the calico arid the candle, will throw shadows on the former, and th, se will be seen by the spectators on the o'her side; while the' operator behind the screen will be out of sight. If the calico is wetted the’ shadows will be more distinct. In some shadows, hats and other accessories are used. These may be cut out of cardboard or stiff brown paper.

Show at side of screen. Move the hands to express the fluttering of the wings. ■

No movement is necessary with this figure.

Open and close the mouth, and move the ears.

The eyeball is shown by slightly raising the left little finger, which may be moved. The eye nifty also be opened and shut, and the right thumb may be brought sharply backward and forward to the hand, which will give a snapping effect. A little practice will so< n enable the dog to show his teeth.

By lowering the third and fourth finlers of the'right hand, and shaking both hands slightly and quickly, a good effect of laughing is given. Then close the mouth and suddenly put forward the third finger of the right hand, returning it quickly, and repeating the Operation several times. This will give a funny effect of protruding the tongue.

A little practice is needed to adjust the fingers properly to give rotundity to the nose. The right thumb, which may be moved, terms the eyeball.

Keep the hands well down. The first and second fingers of the right hand may be held back with the thumb. Keep the right .little linger in front of the

Th« eye ia formed with the right

thumb, which may be moved about, and the mouth may be opened and dosed.

Keep the four legs moving. Be care•ful to keep the lower part of the arms behind the draped portion of the screen.

Raise the thumb of the right hand well, to keep the mouth high up and give additional length to the trunk. The eye should be very small. The trunk may be waved backward and forward and curled up.to the mouth. The fingers forming the trunk should pick up the carrot (formed of cardboard)• and place it in the mouth.

This is very effective if carefully practiced. The rushes can be cut out of stiff cardboard or thin tin, which is held by small catches ’(also of tin or cardboard i placed on each side of the screen, as shown in the sketch. Kneel down, showing the top of the head only above the calico? Place the hands as shown. The swan should dip its head, bring it back, and lift it up as if drinking. It may also peck at the rushes and appear to adjust the feathers on its neck, after which bring down the hand to the head 'and lift the hair, which will have the effect of f, athers. Keep the tail moving at intervals.

The mouth may be made to move. Roll the eye by moving the left thumb.

A small set of rushes, etc., may be made for this. The punt (a piece of cardboard as shown in the sketch) is 1 pressed lightly with the left arm against the screen, and is moved with the help of the right hand nearly to the center of the screen. The angler pulls up his line empty and looks at it. Next a few. articles <of cardboard) may be brought up in turn, placed on the hook by the other hand. An old saucepan is shown in the sketch, and other oojects may be cut out, such as a broken umbrella, a hat, a bonnet, a boot, etc. Finally the alligator may appear on the hook, and, after dragging the punt about a little, may pull the angler down, seize him by the nose, and disappear with him. the punt sinking at the same time. ’The fishing rod, for which a penholder will serve, is held to the third finger by a ring. t

THE BUTTFRFLY.

THE HORSE.

THE DONKET.

THE DOC.

OLD MAN’S HEAD.

SMOKER NO. 1.

SEEN ON THE BOWERY.

THE GOAT.

THE FOX

BUNNY.

ELEPHANT.

BONAPARTE.

THE SWAN.

THE PARROT.

THE ANGLER AND THE ALLIGATOR.