A Trick With Four Matches
Speaking of matches, there is yet one more trick to be played with four of them.
At the non-phosphoric ends of two matches cut a small notch so that they fit into each other. Stretch the matches apart so as to form an angle, and place them vertically upon the table. Then lean a third match against them so as to form a tripod, standing by itself.
The question now is to take up this trivet with a fourth match and carry it to another place without disturbing the harmony of the little construction.
At first sight this seems impossible; it is, however, easily done. You have only to slide the fourth match between the two stuck together, and the one serving as support.
By lightly pressing against the two first ones the third one will slide, and its upper extremity will come between the angle formed by the two others. By taking it up briskly, this extremity will be maintained, and you are then enabled to carry the little tripod to another place.