The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1863-08-29
A NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
4 MOST MARVELLOUS YARN.

lessons OF NATURAL magic, VcDtTuOQulStS
and the entire race of mountebanks, who
in France and England astonish the gaping
crowds at races and county fairs, ever fine
ready welcome and liberal encourage
ment among the highest classes, in the
Russian cities About the beginning of the
present century, a species of Cagliostro, OF
rather a superior kind of Wizard of the
| North, made his appearance at st. Peters
burg, and astonished the natives by his
marvellous performances His name was
! Pirnetti, and his fame il yet retained IN
the memory of those who witnessed his
unrivalled talents.
The Gar Alexander, having heard Pr
netti much spoken of, was deslrous Of see
ing him, and one day it was announced
to the conuror that he would have the
honor of giving representation OF his
magical powers at court, the hour fixed
for him to maks his appearance being sew
en- 0 clock. A brilliant numerous assem-
bly, of ladies and gentleman, presided over
by the Gar, had met, but the conjuror
was absent Surprised and displeased
| the Car pulled out his watch, which in
dIcated five minutes after seven. Pnnettl
I had not only failed in waiting, but he had
caused the court to wait and Alexander
was not more patient than Louis XIV.
A quarter OF an hour passed, half an hour,
ana TO Pirnettl Messengers who had
! been sent in search, for him, returned un-
successful The anger of the Car, with
difficulty restrained. displayed itself, after
| the lapse Of an hour, the door OF the sa-
loon opened, and the gentleman OF the
chamber announced Pirnetii, who present
| ed himself with calm front and the Sc
renity Of one who had nothing to reproach
himself with. The Gar however, was
greatly displeased; but Pirnetti assumed
an air of astonlshment, and replied with
great coolness " Did not your majesty
command my presence at seven o'clock
precisely Z
.Just sol exclaimed the Gar at the
height of evaporation.
well. then said Pirnet, let your ma
jesty sieicE to look at your watch, and you
will preceive that | am exact and that II
is just seven o'clock
The Car pulling out mis- watch violent
ly in order TO coniound what he considered
a piece of downright insolence, was COM
petely amazed. The watch marked seven
o'clock He looked at the clock Of the
saloon, which had been twenty times con-
suited during the space the assembly were
kept waiting; the clock also marke ed and
tiers drew out their watches, which were
found as usual exactly regulated by that
of their sovereign. Seven o clock, indica
ted with a common accord all the watches
and clocks of the palace. The art of the
magician was at once manifest in this
strange retrogressIon IN the march of time
To anger succeeded astonishme ent and adj
miration. Percei3ing thatthe Gar smiled
Prnetti thus addressed him Your maj
esty will pardon melt was by the per
formance of this trick that was desrous
ef making my first apperance before you.
But know how precious truth is a. court |;
it is at least necessary that your yatch
should tell it to you, sire. II you consult
it now, you Will find that it marks the real
time
The Car once more drew forth his
watch-it pointed to few minutes past
eight-the same rectifcatinn had taken
place in all the watches of those present,
and in the clocks Of the palace. This ex
plot was followed by others equally anus
ing and surprising At the close of the
performances. the Gar after having com
plimented Piruetu, brought back to his re-
membrance that. in the course o: the even
ings amusements. he had declared that
such was the power Of his art that he
could penetrate everywhere.
Yes sire, everywhere, replied the con
Juror with modest assurance.
What ? exclaimed the Gar could you
penetrate even into this palace, were | TO
order all the doors to be closed and guard
ed ?
Into this palace, sire. or even into the
apartment, of your maj josty. quite as easily
as should enter my own house, SAID
Pirnetti
w ell, then said the Gar, "a, midday
to morrow shall have ready in my clos,
the price of this evenings amusement
one thousand roubles Come and fetch
them But forewarn YOU that the doors
shall be closed and carefully guarded?
! To morrow at mid day shall have the
. honor of presenting myself before your
I majesty, replied Plrnettl, who bowed and
Withdrew.
Two gentlemen of the household fol
lowed the conJuror TO make sure that he
! quilted the palace then accompanied hin
to his lodgings and a number of the police
surrounded the dwelling from the moment
he entered it. The palace was instantly
( closed. with positive orders not to suffer
under any pretext whatever, any one tc
enter, whethe, he be prince or valet, until
the Gar himself should command th'
!
strictly enforced confidential persons hav
ing watched their execution. The exteri
or openings to the palace were guarded
by the soldiery. All the approaches Il
the imperial apartments were protected b.
high dgnitaries. whom simple professo
Of e.ts of legerdemain possessed no mean
OF bribing. In short, for greater security
all the keys had been taken into the impe
rial cabinet. few moments previous t
tho hour fixed for Pirnetti interview Will
the Gar, the chambernaid on servic
brought to his majesty despatch which
messenger had handed her through al
opening in the door 1t was a report from
the minister Of police that Pirnetti had no
left home.
Aha! he has found out that the under
taking in impractIcable, and he has abar
doned it, observed the Car with smile
Twelve O'Clock sounded. While tn
last stroke reverberated, the door con
municating from the bed room of the Cz'
to the cabinet opened, and Pirnettl az
q peared. The Car drew back a couple
PAGES, his brow darkened, and after me
mentary pause, while fixing a suspic'ou
look on Pirnetti, he said, are you awar
that YOU may become a very dangerou
individual
Yes sire he replied; 4 am only
: humble confuror, with no ambition tha
that of amusing your majesty.
Here said the Gar, arc the thousan
roubles for last night, and thousan
more for this days visit
o Pirnetti. in Offering his thanks, was IN
terrupted by the Gar, who with though
. full air inquired of him, do you count o
a yet remaining some time in ST. Peter
d burghY
: Sire he replied, Il intend setting o
y this week unless your majesty orders PR
). longation Of my sojourE-'..
Nor hastily replied the Gar, 1T IS nc
my intention to detain you; and more
| over cantinund he with a smile. shout