The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1871-10-14
P.isNEIIi,
An Fncte,sit,le story about Russian
tp,siuser.

toniu,er.
About the beginning Of the present
century, ! species of Caglostro, or rath
e. superior kind of Wizard of the
North, made his appearance at st. Pet
elsburg, and astouished the natives by
his marvellous performances His name
was Firnetti, and his fame Is yet IN the
memory of those who witnessed his un-
tivalled talents.
The Gar Alexander. having heard
Pnnetti mnch spoken of, was lesrous
otseelng him; aud one day it was an
nounced 70 the conIurer that lie would
have the honor Of giving a representa-
tlon IF 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 bat the conjurer was absent
Surprised and dIsrleased, the Gar
pulled out his watch, which indicated
five minutes after z Pirnetti had not
only failed III being III waiting, but he
had caused the court to wait. and Gar
Alexander was not more patient than
Louis XIV. \ quarter of an hourpass-
ed, half an hour, and no Pirnetti :
Messengers who had been sent in search
Of him returned unsuccessful The
anger Of the Gar, with difficulty res
trained, displayed itself in threatening
EXPLANATIONS. At length, after the
lapse of an hour the door of the saloon
opened, and the gentleman of the cham
Der announced Plrnetti, who presented
himself with q calm front and the ser
entity of one who had done nothing to
reproach himself with. The Gar, how
ever, was greatly displeased but Pr
nettl assumed I'm all Of astonishmcnt,
and replied with the greatest GOODNESS,
Did not your Malest command my
presence at seven o'clock precisely :"
: Just SO - exclaimed the Gar, at
the height Of evaporation.
/" Well, then, said Pirnetti, &" let
your Majesty dcign to look at your
watch, and YOU will perceive that | am
exact, and that it is Just O'Clock, "
The Gar, pulling out his watch vlo-
lently,i Ii order to confound what he con
sidered piece OF downright nsolence,
was completely amazed The watch
marked seven o'clock In turn AL the
counters drew ont their Watches, which
were found rs usual, exactly regulated
seven q 70
clock indicated with common ac-
cord all the watches and clocks of the
Palace The art OF the magician was
1t once manifest IN this strange retro
erosion III the march Of time To an
Ger succeeded astonshmcnt and admir-
elton. Tcrceiyiug that the Car Alex
ander smiled, Hirnctti thus addressed
him
Your Majesty viii pardon me- IT
was hy the performance Of this trick
that | W3a dcsitous OF making my first
appearance before vou But | know
how precious truth j. at court, ii Is at
least necessary that your watch should
tell It 70 YOU, sire II You consult it
now, ven Will fund that it marks the real
ttme
The CIR acain drew forth his watch
1T pointed to q few minutes past
the same reflection had taken place in
all the watches of those present, and in
the clocks si the palace Tins exploit
was followed lay others equally anus
ING and urrIaIng. 1t the close of the
performances, the Car, after having
comphmentcd PIrnetti, brought back
- his remembrance that in the course
81 the evening amuscmenta hC had de
GiaTcd that such Was the power of his
at that he could penetrate everywhere.
Yes, sire, everywhere replied the
conlurer with modest assurance.
= W hat - exclaimed the Gar, could
YOU penetrate even into this palace, were
to ofier al the doors to he closed
and guarded
Into tins palace, sire, or even into
the apartment of your Majesty quite as
easily IS | should enter into my own
house, SAID Pinetti.
We'll, then said the Car, sat
midday T. morrow, ! shall have ready
u ny closet the price OF this evenings
amusement one thousand rubles
Come and Get them But | forewarn
arefully guarded
Tomorrow ut mid day shall have
the honor Of presenting myself before
yauf Majesty, replied Hirnotti, who
bowed and Withdrew
The gentlemen Of lha l.----~'a-rtr iol-
lowed the coulurCr 10 make sure that
ne quilted the palace they accom-
panied him t. his lodgings, and a mum
Der st police surrounded the dwelling
from the moment he entered it. The
palace was Instantly closed, with posi-
tive orders not t. suffer, under any
pretext whatever, any one 10 enter,
were he Prince or yalCt, until the Gar
himself should command the doors t.
be opened. These orders very strictly
enforced confidential persons having
watched their execution The exterior
openings 10 the palace were guarded
hv the seldiery. All the approaches to
the imperial department were protect
81 hy high dlgutaries. whom a simple
professor OF the art of lcCcrdemain pos
sessed no means of brihing. In short,
Tor greater security, all The keys had
been carried into the imperial cabinet
\ few moments previous To the hour
affixed for Pirnetu's interview with the
Car, the chamberlain on service
brought to His Majesty dispatch
which Il messenger had handed him
through an opening IN the door. 1t
was report FROM the minister of police
that Pirneth had not left home.
: Aha lie has found ont the un-
dertaking is impracticable, and he has
abandoned II, ! observed the Car, with
"A smile
Twelve o'clock sounded. While the
last stroke yet rcvcrberated, the door
which communicated from the bed
room Of the Gar to the cabinet open
60, and Piruotti appeared. The Czal
Alexander drew back a couple of PAGES
his brow darkened. and after a mo