Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-04-11
4 KING OF OONJURERS.
Marvellous Exploits of an italian in
ST. Petersburg.


SaThe Gar Alexander, having heard Pr
netti much spoken of, was DESTROYS of see
ing him; and one day it was announced tt
the conjurer that he would have the honor
of giving representation Of his magical
powers at court, the hour fixed for him tC
make his appearance being Z o'clock. A
brilliant and numerous assembly Of ladies
and couTtiers, presided over by the Gar,
had met, but the conjuror was absent. Sur
prised and displeased, the Gar pulled out
his watch, which indicated five minutes
after seven. Pirnettl had not only fail
ed in being in waiting, but
he had caused the court to
wait, and Alexander was not more patient
than Louis XIV. A quarter of an hour
passed, half an hour, and no Pirnetti! Mes
sengers who had been in seach of him re-
turEed unsuccessful. The anger of the
Gar, with difficulty 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 pre-
sented himself with a calm front and the
serenity of one who had done nothing to
reproach himself with. The Gar, how
ever, was greatly displeased; but Pirnetti
assumed an air Of astonishment,a and req lied
with GOODNESS
"Did not your majesty command my
presence at seven o'clock precisely"
"Just sou exclaimed the Gar, at the
height of evaporation.
'fWell, them" said Pirnetti, let your maj
esty deign to look at your watch, and you
will perceive that am exact, and that it is
just I o'clock"
The ear, pulling out his watch violently,
in order to confound what he considered a
piece Of downright insolence, was complely
amazed. The watch marked o'clock In
turn all the courtiers drew out their watches,
which were found, as usual, exactly regu-
lated by that of the sovereign. Seven
O'Clock indicated with common accord
by all the watches and clocks in the palace.
The art Of the magician was at once mani
fest in this strange retrogression in the
march of time. To anger succeeded as
constituent and admiration. Perceiving
that the car smiled, Pirnetti thus addressed
him:
"Your majesty will pardon me. 1t was
by the performance of this trick that was
DESTROYS of making my first appearance be-
fore you. But know how precious truth
is at court; it is at least necessary that your
watch should tell ito you, sire. II you
consult it now, you will find that it marks
the real time"
The Gar again drew forth his watch-it
pointed to few minutes past eight; the
same reflection had taken place in all the
watches of all those present, and the clocks
of the palace. This exploit was followed
by others equally amusing and surprising.
At the close of the performance, the Gar,
after having cOmplimented PeTnetti, 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.
Eyes, sire, everywhere" replied the con-
jurer, with modest assurance.
"Whatl" exclaimed the Gar, "could you
penetrate even into this palace were l TO
order all the doors to be closed and guarded?
''Into this palace, sire, or even into the
apartment of your majesty, quite as easily
as should enter into my own house." said
Pirnetti.
"Well, them" said the car, cat midday
tomorrow shall have ready in my closet
the price of this evenings amusement
one thousand rubles. Come and get them.
But l forewarn you that the doors shall be
closed and carefully guarded"
"To-morroE at midday shall have the
honor Of presenting myself before your
replied Pernetti, who bowed and
withdrew.
The gentleman of the house followed the
conjurer to make sure that he quilted the
place; they accompanied him to his lodg
ings, and a 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 pre-
text whatever, any one to enter until the
car himself should command the doors to
be opened. These orders were strictly en-
forced, confidential persons having watched
their execution. The exterior openings TO
the palace were guarded by the soldiery.
All the approaches to the palace were pro-
tected by high dignitaries, whom a simple
professor Of the art of legerdemain
no means of bribing. In short,
for greater security, all the keys had been
carried into the Imperial Cabinet. A few
minutes previous to the hour fixed for
Pirnetti's interview with the Car, the
on service brought to His
Majesty dispatch which messenger had
handed him through an opening in the
door. 1t was report from the Minister OF
Police that Pirnetti had not left home.
''Aha. he has found out that tie under
taking is impracticable and has abandoned
it,; observed the Gar with a smile.
Twelve O'Clock sounded. While the last
stroke yet reverberated, the door which
from the bedroom of the
Gar to the cabinet opened, and Pirnetti
The Gar drew back a couple
of PAGES, his brow dsTkened, and, after a
silence, he said: "Are you
aware that you may become a very danger
GUS individually"
ayes, SIRE" he replied; 'but l am only
an humble coDjurer, with no ambition save
that of amusing your majesty"
"Here," said the Gar "are the Thousand
rubles for last night, and thousand for
this days visit"
Pirnetti, in Offering his thanks, was inter
rupted by the Gar, who, with thought
full air inquired Of him, "DO you count on
vet remaining some time in St. Petersburg"
'Sire," he replied, 81 intend setting off
this week, unless your majesty orders a
of my sOjourn."
sNo," hastily replied the car, SIT is not
my intention to detain you; and, moreover"
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 found your way into this pal
ace"
81 could do so, SIRE" said Pirnetti; "but,
far from wishing to quit St. Petersburg
stealthily or mysteriously, am DESTROYS of
quitting it in the most public manner posi-
bic, by giving to the Inhabitants of your
capital most striking example Of my mag
ical powers"
Pirnetti could not leave like an ordinary
individual; it was necessary that he should
crown his success in the Russian capital by
something surprising his previous efforts;
therefore, on the evening preceding the day
fixed for his departure, he announced that
he should leave st. Petersburg the follow
ing day at 10 o'clock in the morning, and
that he should quit by all the city gates at
the same moment. Public curiosity was
excited to the highest degree by this an
nOuncement. st. Petersburg at that time
had fifteen gates, which we're encompassed
by multitude eager to witness this mar
velous departure. The spectators at these
various gates all declared that, at 10 O'Clock
precisely, Pirnetti, whom they all perfectly
passed through. ''He walked
at a slow pace, with head erect, in order to
be better seen" they said, land he babe us