The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1857-01-28
ASHLAND. ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO, WEDNESDAY NOR

4
him to his lodgings, and a number o
! the police surrounded the dwelling from
the moment he entered it. The palace
was instantly closed, with positive ORDER
: not to suffer, under any pretext what
ever, any one to enter, save the priucs
or valet, until the Gear himself should
command the doors to be opened. These
! orders were strictly enforced, confiden'
tial persons having watched their execu-
tion. The exterior openings to the pal
ace were guarded by the soldiery. All
the approaches to the imperial apart
ments were protected by high dignita'
ries, whom a simple professor of the art
of legerdemain possessed no means oi
bribing. In short, for greater security,
all the keys had been carried into the
imperial cabinet. A few moments pre-
vious to the hour fixed for Pirnetti's in
terview with the t3zar, the chamberlain
on service brought TO his majesty a
despatch which messenger had handed
him through an opening in the door. It
was report from the minister of police
that Pirnetti had not left home.
"Aha he has found out that the uu-
dertakiDg is impracticable, and he has
absndoned it,'' observed the Czar, with
smile. a s3sfs5 saF 4.tf gsf
Twelve O'Clock sounded. While the
last stroke yet reverberated, the door
which communicated from the bed room
of the Gear to the cabinet opened, and
Pirnetti appeared. The Gear drew back
couple of PAGES, his brow darkened,
and after a momentary silence, while
fixing suspicious look on Pirnetti, he
said. ..5ls f
Are you ware that you may become
a very dangerous individual ?'' 9-
"Yes, SIRE" he replied :" / am only
an humble conjuror, with no ambition
than that of amusing your majesty
Here" said the Gear, "are the
thousand roubles for last night, and a
thousand more for this days visit"
Pirnetti, in offering his thanks, was
interrupted by the, Gear, who, with a
thoughtful air inquired of him, d'
"Do you count on yet remaining
some time in St. Petersburg ss
"Sire," he replied, g ]. intend setting
off this week, unless your majesty or
ders a prolongation of my sojourn."
"No!" hastily observed the Czar,
"it is not my intention to detain you
and moreover continued he with
smile, I should vainly endeavor to
keep you against your will. You know
how to leave St. Petersburg as easily as
you have found your way into this pal.
ace''
al could do so, SIRE" said Pirnetti !;
I" but far from wishing toquit St. Peters
burg stealthily or mysteriously, am
desirous of quitting it in the most pub
tic manner possible, by giving to the in
habitants of your capital striking ex-
ample of my magical powers
Pirnetti could not leave like an ordi-
nary mortal it vas necessary that be
should crown his success in the Russian
capital by something surprising his pre-
vious efforts; therefore, on the evening
:
preceding the day fixed for his de-
parture, he announced that he should
leave St. Petersburg the following day
at ten o'clock in the morning, and that
he should quit by all the city gates at
the same moment Public curiosity
was excited to the highest degree by
this announcements. st. Petersburg at
that time had fifteen gates, which were
encompassed by multitude eager to
witness this marvellous departure.
The spectators at these various gates
all declared that at ten o'cleck, precise
ly, Pirnetti, whom they all perfectly re-
cognized, passed through. '' He walked
at slow pace aud with head erect. in
order to be the better seen," they said
/" And he bade us sdieu in clear and |
audible voice." These unanimous testi-
monies were confirmed by the written
declaration of the officers placed at ev-
cry gate to inspect the passports of
travellers The inspection of Pirnetti's
was inscribed in the fifteen
registers. Where is this wizard, wheth-
er coming from the north or south, who
could in these degenerate days perform
SO astonishing an exploit?