The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1871-10-14
A Russian lOlljslrer.

Petersburg, and astOniSlled the natives
by his marvellous performances. His
name was Pirnetti, and his fame is yet
in the memory of those who witnessed
his unrivalled talents.
The Gar Alexander. having heard
Pilnctti much spoken OF, was desiriolls
of seeing him; and one day it was
would have the honor of giving a rep
resentation of his magical powers at
Court, the hour fixed for him to make
his appearance being Z O'Clock. A
brilliant and numerous assembly of Ia
dies and cotlrticrs, presided over by
the Car, had met, but the conluror
was absent. Surprised and diSple;<ed.
the Car pulled ont his watch, which
indicated five minutes after Z. Pirli-
etti had not only failed in being i'll
waiting, but he had caused the
Court to wait. and Alexander was not
more, patient than Louis XIV. n
quafter of an hour passed-lialf an
hour-and no Pirnetti. Messengers
who had been sent i'll search of him
returned unsuccessful. The anger OF
the Gar, with difficulty restrained, dis
played itself i'll threatening eXclani;i-
tions. At length, after the lapse OF an
hour. the door of the saloon opened,
and the gentleman of the chamber All
nounced Pirnetti. who presented HIM
self with calm front and the serenity
of one who had done nothing to re-
proach himself with. The Car, how
ever, was greatly displeased; but Pirn-
etti assumed anair Of fastoniSlnnent and
replied with the greatest GOODNESS:
Ibid not your Majesty command my
presence ut O'Clock precisely?
'..JuSt so. exclaimed the Car, at
I..i, ,rI, # of
.'Well then,' said Pirnetti, : let
your Majesty deign to look ut your
watch, and you will perceive that am
exact, and that it is just o'clock
The Gar pulling out his watch vio-
leitlv. in order to confould what he
considered Il piece Of downright inso-
Ience. was completely amazed. The
watch marked Z o clock. In turnalfthe
conrtiers drew out their watches, which
were found, as usual, exactly regula-
ted by that Of the sovereign. Seven
O'Clock indicated with Il common ac-
cord all the watches and clocks i'll the
palace. The art Of the magician was
at once manifest in this strange retro
grcsSion in the march Of time. TO
anger succeeded astonisllment and all
| miration. Perceiviug that the Car
smiled. Pirnetti thus addressed him:
Your Majesty will pardon me. 1t
was by the performance of this trick
that | was desiriols of making my first
appearance before you. But | know
how precious truth is ut Court; it is at
least necessary that your watch should
tell it to you, sir. Ii You consult it
now. you will find that it marks the
real time"
The Gar again drew forth his watch
it pointed to n few minutes past 8 /;
the same reflection had taken place in
all the watches of those present and
i'm the clocks of the palace. This eX-
plot was followed by others equally
amusing and surprising. AT the close
of the performances, the Car, after
having complimented Pirnetti, brought
back to his remembrance that in the
course of the evenings amusement he
had declared that such was the power
of his art that he could penetrate
everywhere.
Yes sir, everywhere, replied the
conjuror, with modest assurance.
s.What 80 exclaimed the Car,
could you penetrate even into this pal
ace were to order all the doors to bt
closed and guarled?'
s'Into this palace, sire, or even into
the apartment of your Majesty quite
as easily as l should enter into my
own house, said Pirrctti.
''Well, then,'' said the Car, g al
midday tomorrow shall have ready
in my closet the price of this evenings
entertainment-one thousand rrlbles
Come and get them. But / forwarl
you that the doors snail be closed ant
carefully guarded"
'sFo-mOrrow at midday shall have
the pleasure of presenting myself be
fore your Majesty" replied Pirnette
who bowed and withdrew.
The gentlemen of the household fol
lowed the cOnjuror to make sure thai
he q,,itted-the palace; they accompa
MED him to his lodgings, and a number
of police surrounded the dwelling the
moment he entered it. The place was
instantly closed, with positive ortler
not to suffer, under any pretext what
ever, to enter, We're he prince or valet
until the Car himself should command
the doors to be opened. These order
were strictly enforced, confidential per
SONS having watched their execution
The exterior openings to. the palace
were guarded by the soldieTy. All tn,
approaches to the imperial appart
ments were protected by high digilita
ries, whom II simple professor OF tin
of bribing. In short, for greater secll
rity, all the keys had been carried into
the imperial cabinet. A few moment
previous to the hour affixed for Pirn
etti's interview with the Gar, tin
Chamberlain on service brought to Hi
Majesty Il dispatch which messcnge
had handed him through an opening il
the door. 1t was report from tn
Minister of police that Pirnetti had no
left home.
ssAha! He has found out that tn
undertaking is impracticable, and h
has abandOnded it, > observed the Gar
with a smile.
Twelve O'Clock sounded. When tn
last stroke yet reverberated, the doc
which communicated from the bed
room of the Car to the cabinet opened
and Pirnetti appeared. The Cza
darkened, and after a momentary s
| lpnca he said ss re Won ava l,o I'll.