Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-09-30

OF Wizard of The North, made his appearance at
st Petersburg, and astonished the natives by
his marvellous performances. His name was
Pirnetti. and his fame is yet in the memory of
those who witnessed his unrivaled talents.
The Gar Alexander, having heard Pirnett
much spoken of, was DESTROYS OF seeing him, and
one day il was announced to the conjurer that he
would have the honor of giving representation
OF his magical powers at court, the hour
fixed for him to make his appearance
being O'Clock. A brilliant and numerous
assembly of ladies and courtiers, presided
over by the Gar, had met, but the conjurer
was absent: Surprised and displeased, the Gar
pulled out his watch, which indicated five min
utes after Z, Pirnetti had not only failed in
being in waiting, but he had caused the court
to wait, and Alexander was not more patient
than Louis NV. A quarter 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 Gar, with diff
Guilty restrained, displayed itself in threatening
EXPLANATIONS. At length, after the lapse of an
hour, the door OF the saloon opened, and the
gentleman of the chamber announced Pirnetti,
who presented himself with a calm front, and
prOach himself with. The Gear, however, was
greatly displeased; but Pirnetti assumed an air
of establishment, and replied with the greatest
GOODNESS: "Did not your majesty command NV
presence at O'Clock precisely?'' "Just sob
exclaimed the Gar, at the height of exaspera-
ton. ''WeD, them" said Pirnett, s'let your
majesty d,ign to look at your watch, and you
will perceive that am exact, and that it is Just
O'clock"
The Car, pulling oct his watch violently, in
order to cOnfOund what he considered piece
OF downright ins0lence. was completely amaz cd
The watch marked 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 a COM
mon accord by ali 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 astonish-
ment and admiration. Perceiving that the Gear
smiled Pirnetti thus addressed him:
"Your majesty will pardon me. 1t was by the
perfoI nance OF this trick that was DESTROYS of
making my first appearance before you. But L
know how precious truth is at court; it is at
least ne cessry that your watch should tell it to
you, sire. Ii you consult it now. you will find
that it marks the real time" The Car again
drew forth his watch-it pointed TO a few min
utes past S. the same reflection had taken place
in the watches of all 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 Car, after hay
ing cCmplimented Pirnetti, brought back to 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 every
where. "Ies sire, everywhere" replied the con-
Jurer, with modest assurance. "Whati" ex-
claimed the Gar, "could you penetrate even into
this place, where / to order all the doors to be
closed and guarded" "IntO this place sire or
even into the apartment Of your majesty, quite
as easily as i should enter into my own house."
said Piinetti. "well them" said the Car, "at
midday Tomorrow shall have ready in my closet
the price OF this evenings 900
rublts. Come and get them. But forewarn you
that the doors shall be closed and carefully
guarded" Tomorrow at midday shall have
the honor of presenting myself before your mai
esty, replied Pirnetti, who bowed and withdrew.
The gentlemen of the household followed the
conjurer TO make sure that he quilted the
palace; they accompanied him to his lodgings,
and number Of 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 to
enter, were he prince or valet, until the Car
himself should command the doors to be opened.
These orders were strictly enforced, confidential
persons having watched their execution. The
exterior openings TO the palace were guarded by
the soldiery. Ali the approaches to the imperial
apartments were protected by high dignitaries
whom simple professor of the art Of legerde-
main possessed no means of bribing. In short,
for greater security, all the keys had been car
ried into the imperial cabinet A few moments
previous to the hour affixed for Pirnetti's inter-
view with the Gar, the chamberlain on service
brought to his majesty a dispatch which a mes
senger had handed him through an opening in
the door. 1t was a report from the minister of
police that Pirnetti had not left home. "Aha!
He has found out the undertaking is impracti-
cable, and he has abandoned it." observed the
Car, with a smile.
Twelve O'Clock sounded. While the last stroke
yet reyerberated, the door which communi-
Gated from the bedroom of the Gar to the
cabinet opened, and Pirnett appeared. The
Car drew back a couple Of PAGES, his brow
darkened, and, after a momentary silence, he
said: g Are you aware that you may become
very dangerous individual?" eyes sire - he
replied; "but am only an humble conjurer,
with no ambition save that of amusing YOUR
majesty" "Here," said the Car, are the
thousand rnbles for last night, and thousand
for this days visit"
Pirneth in offering his thanks, was interrupt
ed by the Car, who, with thoughtful air, in
quired of him, ''DO you count on yet remaining
Piled. 81 intend setting off this week, unless
your majesty orders a prolongation of my So
journ." "No!" hastily observed the Gear, ait
is not my intention to detain you; and, more
over" continued he, with a smile, 81 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 palace"
from wishing to quit St. Petersburg steathily or
mysteriousIy, i am DESTROYS of quitting IL in the
most pubic manner possible, by giving to the
of your capital striking example
OF my magical powers"
PiTDetti could not leave like an ordinary NOR
tal; 1t was necessary that he should crown his
success in the Russian capital by something sur
evening preceding the day fixed for his departure
he announced that he should leave st. Peters
burg the following day, at 10 o'clock in the
and that he should quit by all the CITY
was excited TO the highest degree by this an
St Petersburg at that time had Is
gates, which were encompassed by multitude
eager to witness this marvellous departure. The
spectators at these various gates ali declared
that at 10 O'Clock precisely Pirnetti, whom they
all perfectly recognized, passed through. "He
walked at a slow pace and with head erect in
order TO be the better SEEM" they said; "and he
bade adieu in a clear and audible voice."
These unanimous testimonies were confirmed
by the written declaration of the Off GERS placed
st every gate 10 inspect the passports of travel
eTs. The inscription of Pirnetti's passports was
inscribed in the - registers. Where is the
wizard, whether coming from the North or
South, who could in these degenerate DAYS per-
foIp 50 astonishing an exploit?
A GOOD CIsTERN.-Excavate in circular form
(fOr economical reasons) to the depth of sixteen
feet or more, wall up all round from bottom ten
feet; at tins point turn an arch for top, leaving
q man-ho6 for the purpose Of cleaning, and con-
tir ue an opening or fiue TO the surface of the
ground. The filter can then be built on the top
Of the arch, or at any convenient point near it,
This filter is also under the surface and con-
tans, first; layer OF charcoal; second, LAYER
Of gravel; third, a layer of charcoal, pounded
fine, not dust; fourth, another layer OF gravel;
then layer of sharp sand. A filter constructed
in this way will arrest all vegetable and solid
matter that may be washed off the roof Rain
water, if caught in this way, then stored sixteen
feet deep under ground, with six feet of earth
above the cistern, can develop no animal life,
because the temperature Is below that which
brings animal germs to life. From sixteen to
fifty or sixty feet below the eartll's surface may
be termed the region of invariable temperature,
which is put down at, say, 80 degrees. Now, If
rain water in winter at 80 degrees, is allowed to