Centre Hall reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1868-1871, 1871-10-13
The Wonderful Conjuror.

those who witnessed his unriyalled
talents.
The Car Alexander, having heard
plrnetn much spoken Of, was desirous
of seeing him an one day IL was an
nounced 10 the eonluror that he would
have the honor Of giving representa-
ton of has magical powers at court, the
hour fixed for him tO make his appear
ance being seven o'clock. A brilliant
aud numerous assembly of ladies and
courIiers, presided over by the Gar,
had mot, but the conluror was absent.
Surprised and displeased, the Car pull
ed out his watch, which indicated five
minutes past seven. Pirneih had not
only failed in being in waiting, but he
had caused the court 20 wait, aud Alex
ander was not more patient than Louis
XIV A quarter of an hour passed, half
nm hour, and no Pirnetti Messengers
who had been sent in search of HIM re-
turned unsuccessful. The anger Of the
Gar. with difficulty restrained, display
cd itself in threatening ordinations.
Az length, after the lapse Of an hour,
the door OF the saloon opened, and the
gentleman, of ths chamber announced
I
calm front, and the serenity of one who
had done nothing 10 reproach himself
with The Car, however, was greatly
displeased but Pitnetti assumed an
air OF astonishment, aud replied with
the greatest GOODNESS, did not your
Majesty command my presence al seven
o'clock precisely ?"
just SO e. exclaimed the Car, al the
height of evaporation.
"Wen, then" said Pirnetti, "let
your Majesty deign 10 look ut your
watch, and you win perceive that | am
exact, and that il Is just seven o'clock" )"
The Gar, pulling out his watch
violently, in order 10 confound what he
considered piece of downright inso-
lence, was completely amazed. The
watch marked seven o'clock. In turn
all the courtiers drew out their watches,
which were found, ms usual, exactly rrgu-
lated by that OF their sovereign. Seven
o'clock indicated with a common nc.
cord all tho watches and clocks Of the
palace. The art Of the magician was al
once manifested in this strange retro
gression in the march Of time. To anger
succeeded astonishment and admiration.
! Perceiving that tho Gar smiled, Pirnetn
addressed him
Your Majesty viii pardon me. II
was by the performance Of this trick that
was deSirous of making my first APP
peaance before you. But / know
how precious truth 10 nd court il il al
least necessary that your watch should
tell il 10 you, sire. III You consult il
now, you will find that it marks the real
time"
The Car again drew forth his watch
it pointed TO few minutes past eight
the same election had taken place in
all the 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
performances the Gar after having com
plimented Pirnetti, brought back 60 his
remembrance that in the course Of the
evenings amusements he had declared
that such was the power Of his art that
he could penetrate everywhere.
Yes, sire, everywhere y replied the
coniuror, with modest assurance.
What I" exclaimed the CEar, could
you penetrate even into this pslacc,
were TO order all the doors to be closed
and guarded p
Into this palace, sire, or even into
the apartment of your Majesty, quite MS
easily as / should enter into my own
house." said Pirnetti.
"Well, then" said the Gar, " at
midday tomorrow / shall have ready IN
my closet the price OF this evenings
amusements-one thousand rubles.
Come and get them. But / forewArn
You that the doors shall be closed and
carefully guarded" !"
"To-morrow at midday / shall have
the honor Of presenting myself before
your Majesty" replied Pirneth, who
bowed and withdrew.
The gentlemen Of the household fol-
lowed the conjuror 10 make sure that he
quilted the pala e they accompanied
him TO his lodgings, and number OF
police surrounded the dwelling from the
moment he entered IL. The palace was
instantly closed, with positive orders
not to suffer, under any prvtext what
ever, any one TO enter, were he prince
or valet, until the Cznr himself should
command the doors TO be opened. These
orders were strictly enforced, confiden-
tial persons having watched their exc
cution. The exterior openings to the
palace were guarded by the soldiery.
All the approaches TO the imperial apart
ments were protected by high digni-
taries, whom simple professor Of the
art Of legerdemain possessed no means
OF bribing. In short, for greater secu-
rity, all the keys had been carried into
the imperial cabinet A few momen.s
previous TO the hour affixed for Pirnetti's
interview with the Gar, the chamber
lain on service brought 10 his Majesty
despatch which messenger had hand
ed him through an opening in the door.
IL was n report from the Minister OF Po-
lice that Pirnetti had not left home
"Aha He has found out the under
taking is impracticable, and he has
abandoned it," observed the Car, with
n smile.
Twelve o'clock sounded. While the
last stroke yet reverberated, the door
which communicated from the bedroom
of the Gar TO the cabinet opened, and
Pirnetti appeared. The Gar drew back
a couple of PAGES, his brow darkened,
and, after momentary silence, he
said Are you aware that you may
become very dangerous individual 2"
Yes, SIRE" he replied "but / am
only an humble conjuror, with no am
bition save that of amusing your Ma
iesty."
Here" said the Car care the
thousand rubles for last night, and
thousand for this days visit
Pirnetti, in offering his thanks, was
interrupted by the Gar, who, with n
thoughtful air, inquired Of him, "Do
you count on yet remaining some time
in ST. Petersburg ?"
Sire" he replied, "I intend setting
of this week, unless your Majesty orders
o prolongation OF my sojourn."
"Nop hastily observed the Gear, sit
in not my intention b detain you and,
moreover" continued he, with smile,
al should yainly endeavor to keep
you against your viii. You know how
TO leave ST. Petersburg as easily as you
have found your way into this palace.
"I could do so, sire, :" said Pirnetti !;
"but far from wishing to quite st.
Petersburg Ftealthily or mysteriously, /
am desirous OF quitting il in the most
public manner possible, by giving 10
the inhabitants of your capital striking
example OF my magical powers
Pirnett could not leave like an ordi-
nary mortal il was necessary that he
should crown his success in the Russian
capital nv Romefhino @urnaaRinO his Dre-