By Dan Beard
Figs. 69, 70, 71, 72:
How to Make a Sucker
A piece of sole-leather, three or four inches square, is the first thing necessary in order to make a sucker. A sharp knife is the next thing, and a bright boy who can use the knife without cutting his fingers is the third. Let the boy trim the corners of the leather until the edges are circular in form, or, as he would say, round. Lay the leather on a flat surface, and pare or bevel off the edge until it is thin enough to be called a paper edge.
Now the boy may bore a small hole through the center of the sucker, just large enough to force the end of a good strong top-string through. Near the end of the top-string, which has just been pushed through the leather, tie a good hard-knot, and make it big enough to prevent the possibility of its slipping back through the leather. It is now only necessary to pull the string through the leather until the knot fits against the under part of the sucker, and to cut off the superfluous string beyond the knot.
How to Use the Sucker
Soak the leather in water until it is very soft and flabby." Find a loose brick, place the sucker on top of the brick, and, with one foot, press it as flat as possible. Then slowly and carefully try to lift the sucker by the string. Air is heavy, as your school-books will tell you, and it will press so hard all around the leather, that, if your sucker is a good one, you may lift the brick before the sucker will loosen its hold.