Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1872-12-26
The Pope and the conJurer.
From Appleton's journal.

! From Appletons Journal +. 'H.
When Torrini, the magician, had beer
giving exhibitions in the principal Italiar
cities, at the beginning of the present centu
~, he decided to 60 to Rome, in the hop,
that the patronage of his Holiness the Pop,
would give eclat to his reputation. In thi.
| he was not disappointed. Plus VII, who
was the reigning Pontiff, having heard o1
his performance, did him the honor to
demand his attendance at the Vatican
Being Informed that his audience at this ex
hibition would comprise all the dignitaries
| of the church, the magician devoted unusual
care to the selection Of his tricks but after
fixing on his best ones, he vainly racked his
brain to invent something worthy of his il
lustrious spectators.
While he was thus perplexed, chance:
threw in his way the means TO accomplish
his object. Happening to be in the shop OF
one OF the best watch-makers in Rome the
day before that fixed for the performance,
he heard lackey, in rich scarlet velvet livery,
who had just come In, ask if his eminence
the Cardinal de-'s watch was repaired.
1T will not be ready till this evening" "
replied the watch maker, sand l will do N.Y.
self the honor of personally carrying 1t to
your MASTER" 'u - g.
After the servant had gone, the trades
Htan satu W lOTr1nl:
This is Q superb watch. His eminence
the Cardinal, to whom It belongs, values it
at more than ten thousand francs; for. as it
was made to his order by the celebrated Bre-
guet, he naturally supposes 1t to be unique of
Its kind. Curiously enough, however, it is
only two days ago that a young fellow be-
longing to this city, offered me a precisely
similar watch, made by the same artist, for
one Thousand francs" i..s t'-.I.l 1"1l'
These words made an impression on
Torrini. who, having formed a plan of oper-
ations, said to the matchmaker:
DO you think this person is still desirous
to dispose of his watch ?" "'a %a =,
II have no doubt of it," was the reply.
He is a Young prodigal, who, having
spent all his IA tune, is now obliged to seil
his family wells, and will be very glad to
obtain the and francs" -
''But can he be found ?" ''', '.'.
Easy enough In gaming house, where
he passes all his time.
"Well," said the magician, ~ wish to
procure the watch, but cannot wait longer
than to-day. Please buy 1t for me as soon
as possible, and engrave on 1t his eminences
arms, so there shall be Q precise resemblance
between the two watches, and your profit
shall be proportioned TO the discretion with
which you conduct the transaction"
The matchmaker, who knew Torrini,
probably suspected his object in seeking the
watch, but, being aware that the magician's
discreet management would be assured by its
to his success, had no hesitation in
with his request.
1t will only take quarter of an hour to
go to the gaming house, and / am confident
OF being able to procure 1t for you.
In less than the time named the dealer
came back with the chronometer in his hand.
Here 1t is !" he exclaimed with an cir
of triumph. My man welcomed me as a
providential visitor, and was so eager to dis
pose of the watch that he gave it to me with !
out counting the money. Everything shall |
be ready for you Tonight rDaf 1
That evening the matchmaker brought the |
'wo chronometers to Torrini, who. after |
;arefuI comparison was unable to detect any |
Inference between them. The magician |
low felt confident of making a decided hit |
With his trick, the preparations for which !
we're already expensive. f..
The next day he went to the pontiff's pal |
ice. and, at signal given by his Holiness.
;ame upon the stage. Though Torrini had |
appeared before crowned heads, he had |
never been in the presence of such an an.
rust assembly. In the foreground sat Plus
VI, himself in large armchair, on q dais,
vhlle near him sat tho cardinals, and behind
hem were the prelates and dignitaries of the
'hurch The nervousness that the per-
ormer naturally experienced in the presence
T such exalted personages was allayed by
ne benevolent expression on the face of the
,ope. Reassured by his kindly chances
Forrini commenced: .r...,........-. -.
"Holy father" he said, bowing respect
ully ~ am about to show you some exper-
ments TO which the name of white magic,
as oecn most unjustlY given. This title
Fas invented by charlatans to impress the
multitude, but ii only signifies q collection
t clever deceptions, 'ingeniously contriyed
0 ainuse the imagination. ~" 50 - ,'77l7T
Fieased with the favorable reception of
is address, iTorrini commenced his per-
ofmances in excellent spirits, which were
lcreased by the fiattering compliments of
he Pope. In one of his tFieks-@that of the
urnt writing, which consists of q sentence
two written by one of the company, who.
fter burning the paper, discovers it intact ,
sealed envelOpe-he had the satisfaction ,
procuring an autograph from his Holiness.
= being solicited to write sentence, Plus
il. indited the following: - =
60 81 have much pleasure in stating that
ignor Torrini is an aniiable sorcerer. ~
The paper WAS burned and the skill with ,
hich lives made to appear In Q sealed en- /
nope vas appreciated by the Pope, who q
llye fhe conJurer Permission to keep bis q
itograph- i was, now time TO close the / :
with the trick which the artist 4
~ invented tor the occasion, to crown his n
her exploits Among the difficulties thai !
had " contend with the greatest was to h
tain the cardinals watch without asking T
M directly for ~, To overcome this he had b
course to rpse- Requesting the loan of c
Matcn IRON inc company, several were .
nded as 70 nun, which he returned, with the il
NnNNtt tNa.Nh 4 Al,oA.