The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1871-10-19

BHS :. UGcn fUuIu Wot
FIRE, is still calling troops from dlfterentI
points to keep order. All business an and
work are suspended, and every one is intent T
on Sc securing something to eat and place OF OF
shelter The suffering on the north side lsi
heart.rending to witness. Is
Pnnetti-An Incredible Story About e
Russian Conjuror. 3
About the beginning Of the present ccn3S
species of Cagliostro, orrather superiof
kind of wizard Of the north, made his appear!
ane at St. Petersburg, and astonished the;
natives by his marvellousperformances. His
name was Pirnetti, and his fame is yet inthe
memory Of those who witnessed his unriyalll;;.
cd talents.
The Gear Alexander. having heard Pirt
netti much spoken of, was dcsirous to see.
him: and one day it was announced to tho
coniuror that he would have the honor OF
giving representation of his magical pow
ers at court, the hour fixed for him to niaks,;
his appearance being Z o'clock. A brillianti
numerous assembly Of ladies and courtiersi
presided over by che Gar, had met, but the
coniurer was absent. Surprised and displeass
ed, the Gear pulled out his watch, which
indicated five minutes after7, Pernetti had
not only failed in being in waiting, but he
caused the court to wait, and Alexander was
not more patient than Louis XIV. A quar-
ter of an hour passed, half an hour, and no
Pirnetti! Messengers who had been sent in
search of him returned unsuccessful. The,
anger of the Czaf, with difficulty restrained,;
displayed itself in threatening exclaIhations4
At length, after the lapse Of an hour, the
door Of the saloon opened, ,an the getlenan
of the Chamber announced Pirnetti, who
presented himself with a calm front, and the
serenity.of one who had done nothing tosre5
proach himself with. The Gar, however
was grsafly. .displeased but. .Pirnetti ass,lnls
an air Of astonishment, and replied with the
greatest coolness: 'Did not your Majesty
command my presence at I o'clock precisely?
"Just sow exclaimed the Gar, atthc height
of exasperation. "Well, thcn," said Pr
netti, ''let your Majesty deign to look atyour
watch, and you will perceive that lam exact,
and that it is just o'clock"
The Car, pulling out his watch violently,
in order to confound what he considered Il
piece of downright insolence, was completely
amazed The watch marked Z o'clock! In
turn all the courticrs drew out their Watches
which was found, as usual exactly regulated
by that of the sovereign. Seven o'clock! !
indicated with a common accord by all the
watches and clocks of the palace. The art
of the magician was at once manifest in this
strange retrogrcssion in the march of time
To anger succeeded astonishment and ad.
miration. Pcrceiving that the Gar smiled,
Pirnetti thus addressed him:
"Your Majesty will pardon me. 1t was
by the performance of this trick that | was
desirous of making my first appearance be-
fore you But l 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 marks
the real time" The Car again drew forth
his watch-it pointed to few minutes past
8; the same reflection had taken place in the
watches of all those present, and in the
clocks of the palace. This exploit was fol-
lowed by others equally amusing and surpris-
ing. At the close of the performances the
Gar, after having complimented Pirnetti,
brought back to his remembrance that in
the course of the evenings amuscmcnts he
had declared that such was the power of his
art that he could penetrate everywhere.
"Yes, sire, everywhere" replied the conjurcr,
with modest assurance. What" exclaim-
cd the Gar, ':could you penetrate even into
this palace were to order all the doors to
be closed and guarded?" "Into this palace,
sire, or even into the apartment Of your
Majesty, quite as easily as l should enter my
own house" said Pirnetti ''Well, then," :"
said the Gar, sat midday tomorrow I shall
have ready in my closet the price Of this
evenings amusements-1, 900 rubles. Come
and get them; but forewarn you that the
doors shall be closed and carefully guarded u
'To-morrow at midday l shall have the hon
, or of presenting myselfbefore your Majesty
replied Pirnetti, who bowed and with
drew
The gentlemen of the household followed
the conjurcr to make sure that he quilted tho
palacc. They accompanied him to hi!
lodgings, and number of police surround
ed the dwelling from the moment he entered
it. The palace was instantly closed, with
positive orders not to suffer, under any pre-
text whatever, any one to enter, were h'
prince or valet, until the Gar himself SHOULD
f command the doors to be opened. Thes
: orders were strictly enforced, confidential
persons having watched their execution
$ The exterior openings to the palace wer
G guarded by the soldiery. All the approache
; to the imperial apartments were protected b.
J. high dignitaries whom simple professor o
v the art of legerdemain possessed no mean
6 Of bribing In short, for greater security, a
r the keys had been carried into the imperi'
!. cabinet. A few moments previous to tn
hour affixed for Pirneti's interview with tn
Gear the chamberlain on service brought t
s. his Majesty dispatch which messengc