The Shasta courier., 1871-11-18
SHASTA COUR ER,
A Russian Conjurer.

About the beginning of the present CEN
tury a species of Cagliostro, or rather a
superior kind of wizard of the North, made
his appearance at ST. Petersburg, and aston
isbed the natives by his marvellous perform
auces. is name was Pirnetti, and his
fame is yet in the memory of those who
witnessed his unrivalled talents
The Gar Alexander having heard Pr
netti much spoken OF, was desrous of seeing
him; and one da, it was announced to the
conjurer that he would have the honor Of
giving representation of his magical pow
ers at Court, the hour fixed for him to
make his appearance being Z O'Clock. A
brilliant numerous assembly Of ladies
and courtiers, presided over by the Gar,
had met, but the conjurer was absent
Surprised and displeased the Gar took out
his watch which indicated five minutes af
ter seven Pirnetti had not only fai ed in
being 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-and no Pr
nctti Messengers who had been sept in
search of him returned unsuccessful. The
anger of the Gar, with difficulty restrained,
displayed itself in threatening exclamation.
At length, after the lapse of an hour, the
door of the saloon opened aGd the gentle
man of the chamber announced Pirnetti,
who presented himself with a calm front
and the serenity OF one who had done
nothing to reproach himself with. The
Gar however, was greatly displeased !; hut
Pirnetti assumed an air astonishment, and
replied with the greatest coolness Did
not your Majesty command my presence at
I o'clock, precisely 7"
"Just so !' exclaimed the Gar in the
hight Of evaporation.
!" ell then" said Pirnetti, ''let your
Majesty deign to lock at your watch, and
you will perceive that am exact, and that
1t is just O'clock
he Gar, pulling out his watch violent
", in order to confohnd what he considered
piece of downright insolence, was com-
pctely amazed The watch marked I
O'Clock. In turn all the courtiers drew out
their watches. which were found. as usual,
exactly regulated by that of the sovereign.
Seven o'clock indicated with 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
astonshment and admiration. PercevlnS
| that the Gar smiled, Pirnetti thus address
ed him:
"Your Majesty will pardon me. 1t was
by the performance of this trick tnat | was
de>irous 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, sire.
If you consult it now, you will find that it
will mark the real time
The Gar again drew forth his watch
it pointed 10 few minutes past eight the
same reflection had taken place in all ths
watches of those present, and in the clocks
of the palace This exploit was followed
BY others equally amusing and SURPRISING
At the close of the performance, the Gar,
after having complimented Prinetti,
brought back to bis remembrance that in
the course evenings amusements he had
|
art that he could penetrate everywhere.
Eyes, sire, everywhere" replied the con-
iurer, with modest assurance.
"What. - exclaimed the Czar, "could
you penetrate even into this palace if were
to order all the doors to be closed and
guarded p
Into this ralace, sire, or even into the
apartments of your Majesty. quite as easily
as should enter nto my own house, said
Pirnetti.
"Well, then, said the Gar, "at mid day
to- morrow, 81 all have ready in my close
the price of this evening amusement-ont
thousand rubles. Come and get them
But forewarn you that the doors shall bt
locked and carefully guarded"
ITO morrow, at mid day, l shall have the
honor of presenting myself before your Maj
esty," replied Pirnetti, who bowed and
withdrew.
| The gentlemen of the household follow
ed the conjurer to make sure that he quit
ted the palace; they accompanied him t.
his lodgings, and number of police sur
rounded the building from the moment ht
entered it. The palace was instantly
closed, with positive orders not to suffer
under any consideration whatever, any one
to enter, were be prince or valet, until the
Gar himself should order them to be opeu
ed. These orders were stictly enforced
confidential persons having watched theiI
execution. The exterior openings to the
palace were guarded by the soldiery All
the approaches to the Iulperial presence
were protected by high dignitaries. whom
a simple professor of legerdemain had nc
means of bribing. In short. TOR greater Sc
curity, all the keys had been carried into
the Imperial cabinet. A few moments