The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1857-07-11
The Marvellous Copj.rer.

The Marvellous CoDjarer. ~
The Russians have long exhibited s5s.
markable taste for juggling, and all that
fessors of natural magic, ventriloquists, and
the entire race of mountebanks, who in Kng-
land and France astonish the gaping crowds
at races and county fairs, ever find reedy
welcome and liberal encouragement amoo&
the higher classes Of the Russian cities.
About the beginning Of the present centuey.
q species Of Cagliestro. or rather . supes5or
kind of Wizard of the North, made his -.
pearance at St. Petersburgh, and astonishsd
the natives by his marvellous performance.
His name was Pirnetti, and his fame is yet
retained in memory BY those who witnesned
his unrivaled talents.
The Gar Alexander, having heard Fir
netti much spoken OF, was desirous of seeing
him, and one day it was announced to he
conjurer that he would have the honorsof
giving presentation Of his magical powor
at court, the hour fixed for him to make hls
appearance being Z o'clock. A brilliant md
numerous assembly of ladies and courtiefs,
presided over by the Gear, had met, but the
cOnjurer was absent. Surprised and. dis
pleased, the Gear pulled out his watch which
indicated five minutes after seven. Pirnetti
hat not only failed in being in waiting, but
had caused the court to wait; and Alexan-
der was not more patient than Louis XIV
A quarter OF an hour passed, half an hour,
and no Pirnetti. Messengers who had Ssen
sent in search Of him, returned unsuccessful.
The anger OF the Gar, with difficulty re-
stroined, displayed itself in threatening ex-
clamatons. At length, after the lapse OF an
hour, the door Of the saloon opened, and the
gentleman Of the chamber announced Pr
netti, who presented himself with q calm
front, and the serenity Of one who had moth
ing to reproach himself with. The Car,
however, was greatly displeased; but Pr
netti assumed an air Of astonishment, and
replied with the greatest coOlness
"Did your Majesty command my presence
at o'clock, precisely"
"Just So" exclaimed the Gear, At the
height of evaporation.
swell, then" said Pirnetti, 'let your
Majesty deign to look at your watch, and you
will perceive that am exact, and that il is
Just z o'clock"
The Car, pulling out his watch violently,
in order to confound what he considered .
piece Of downright insolence, was completely
amazed. The watch marked o'clock. The
courtiers drew out their watches, which
were found as usual, exactly regulated oy
that Of their sovereign! Seven o'clock IN
dicatcd with a common accord all the watch
es ond clocks Of the palace. The art OF the
majician was at once manifest in this strange
re,rogression in the march OF time. To an
ger. succeeded aStonishment and admiration.
Perceving that the Car smiled, Pirnettl
TINS addressed him:
"Your Majesty will pardon me. Itwas by
the performance Of this trick that was de-
sirous of making my first appearance before
you. But know how precious truth is At
court; it is at least necessary that your
watch should tell it to you, ARE. Nyou con-
suit it now, you will find that it marks the
real time"
The Gar once more drew forth his watch
it po nted to few minutes past eight;
the same rectifcation had taken place in all
the watches Of those present, and in the
clocks Of the palace. This exploit was fol-
lowed by others equally amusing and surpri-
sing. At the close Of the performances, the
Gar, after having complimented Pirnetti,
brought back to his remembrance that, in
the course Of the evenings smuseDents, he
had declared that such was the power Of his
art that he could penetrate everywhere.
Yes, sire, everywhere" replied the con-
jurer, with modest assurance.
What" exclaimed the Car, "could you
penetrate even into this palace, were to or
der ali the doors to be closed and guarded
'Into :his palace, sire, or even into the a.
partment of your Majesty. quite as easily
as should enter my own h-use," said Pr
netti.
"Well, them" said the Gar, "at midday
to morrow shall have ready in my closet
(, ha nf th;S ayapino'S
thousand roubles. Come and get them
But torewarn you that the door shall be
closed and carefully guarded"
Tomorrow at midday shall have the
honor of presenting myself before your Maj
es,y," replied Pirnetti, who bowed and with
drew.
The gentlemen of the household followed
the conjurer, to make that he Quilted the
palace They accompanied him to his lodg-
ings, and a number of police surrounded the
dwelling from the moment he entered it
The palace was instantly closed, with posi-
tive orders not to suffer, under any pretext
whatever, any one to enter, whether prince
or valet, until the Car himself should COM
mand the doors to be opened. These orders
were strictly enforced, confidential persons
having watched ovor their execution. The
exterior openings to the palace were guarded
by the sodiery all the approaches to the
imperial apa tmcnts protected by high dig
nitaries, whom simple professor OF the art
of ledgerdemain possessed no means Of or'-
bing. In short, for greater security, all the
keys had been carried into the imperial cab
met. A few moments previous to the hour
fixed for Pirnetti's interview with the Gar,
the chamberlain on service brought to his
Majesty dispatch, which a messenger had
handed him through an opening in the door.
1t was reported from the Minister OF Police
that Pirnetti had not left home.
''Ah! he has found out that the underta-
king is impracticable, and he has abandoned
it," observed the Gar, with q smile.
Twelve o'clock sounded. While the last
stroke yet reverberated, the door which com-
municated from the bed room Of the Car to
the cabinet opened. and Pirnetti appeared.
The Gar drew back couple of PAGES
brow darkened-and, after momentory ST.
lence, he said:
care you not aware that you may become
a dangerous individual!"
"Yes, sire," he replied, 81 am only an
humble conjurer, with no other ambition
than that of amusing your Majesty"
"Here," said the Car. ''are the thousand
roubles for last night, ahd thousand for
this days visit"
Pirnetu, in offering bis thanks, was inter
rupted by the Gar, who, with thoughtful
air, inquired of him:
'.Do you count on remaining some time in
ST. Petersburgh
"Sire," he replied, 81 intend setting off
this week, unless your Majesty orders . pro-
longation of my scjourn."
mol" hastily observed the Car, "it is not
my intention to detain you; and. moreover,
continued he with = smile, II should detain
you against your will. You know how to
leave St. Petersburgh rs easily IS you have
found your way into this place"
II could do 80, SIRE" said Pirnetti, "but
far from wishing to Quit ST. Petersburgh