Weekly Trinity journal., 1871-10-14
AN INCREDIBLE STORY.

OF Wizard of the North, made his appearance at
ST. Petersburg, and astonished the natives by
his marvellous performances. His name was Pr
netti, and his fame is yet in the memory of those
who witnessed his unrivaled talents
! The Car, Alexander, having heard Prnetti
much spoken of, was desrous of seeing him :;
and one day it was announced to the conurer
that he would have the honor of giving a repre-
sentotion of his magical powers at court, the
hour fixed for him to make his appearance be-
ing at o'clock. A brilliant and numerous as
sembly 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 minutes after seven.
Piruetti had not only failed in being in waiting,
but he had caused the court to wait and Alex
ander was not more patient than Louis XIV. A
quarter of an hour passed, half an hour, and no
Pernett Messengers who had been sent in
search of him returned unsuccessful. The anger
Of the Czar, with difficulty restrained, displayed
itself in threatening ordinations. At length,
after the lapse of an hour, the door of the sa-
loon opened, and the gentleman of the chamber
]
II calm front, and the serenity of one who had
done nothing to reproach himself with. The
Gar, however, was greatly displeosed but Pir-
notti assumed an air of astonishment and replied
with the greatest GOODNESS, " Did not your MAJ
esty command my presence at o clock precise
| ly."
"Just so |" exclaimed the Gear, at the height
of evaporation.
"Well, then, said Pernctti, "let your Majes-
ty 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 violently, in
order to confound what he considered piece
of downright insolence, was completely amazed.
The watch marked I o'clock. In turn all the
courtiers drew out their watches, which We're
found, as usual, exactly regulated by that of the
sovereign Seven o'clock Indicated with
common accord all the watches and clocks of
the. The art of the magician was at once mani
fest in this strange rerogression in the march of
time TO anger succeeded astonishment and adj
mration. Pcrcevng that the Gear smiled, Pr
netti thus addressed him
g Your Majesty will pardon me. 1t was by
the performance of this trick that | was desirous
of making my FIRST appearance before you. But
know how precious truth is at court it is at
least necessary shat your watch should tell it to
you, sir. If you consult it now, you will find
that it marks the real time"
The Gar again drew forth his watch hit point
ed to few minutes past 8 the same reflection
had taken place in all the watches of those pres
cnt, and in the clocks of the palace. This ex.
plot was followed by others equally amusing
and surprising. At the close of the performance
the Car, after having compmented Pirnetti,
brought back to his remembrance that in the
course of the evenings amusements, he had de-
clared that such was the power of his art that he
could penetrate everywhere.
"Yes, sir, everywhere" replied the conjurcr
with modest assurance.
"What ~ exclaimed the Gear, "could you
penetrate even into this palace, were | to order
all the doors to be closed and guarded p
"Into this palace, sir, or even into the apart
ment of your Majesty quite as easily as should
enter into my own house." said Pirnetti.
- Ntllj lIcu, shlu Tue kHurt nv nllu-uhN To-
morrow, | shall have ready in my closet the
price of this evenings entertanments--on
thousand rubles. Come and get them But
forwarn you that the doors shall be closed and
carefully guarded
"To-morrow at midday | shall have the hon.
or of presenting myself before your Majesty" re-
piled Pirnetti, who bowed and withdrew.
The gentleman 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 in
stantly closed, with positive orders not to suf-
fer, under any pretex whatever, any to enter,
were he Prince or valet, until the Gar himself
should command the doors to be opened. These
orders were strictly enforced, confidential per
sons having watched their execution. The ex-
terror openings of the palace were guarded by
the sodery. All the approaches to the Imperial
apartments were protected by high dignitaries
whom a simple professor Of the art of ledgerde-
main possessed no means of bibing In short,
for greater security, all the keys had been car
ried into the Imperial cabinet. few moments
previous to the hour affixed for Pirnetti's inter-
view with the Czar, the Chamberlain on service
brought to His Majesty a despatch which mes
senger had handed him through opening in
the door 1t was a report from the Minister of
Police that Pirnetti had not left home.
"Ah ha He has found out that the under
taking is improcticabe, and he has abandoned
it !" observed that the Gear with smile.
Twelve o'clock sounded. While the last
stroke yet reverberated the door which commu-
nicated from the bedroom Of the Gar to the cab
met, opened, and Pirnetti appeared. The Gear
drew back couple of PAGES, his brow darkened