The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1872-12-13
THE POPE AND THE CONJURER.

90 hat life has nothing to give me
Half as dear as that long ago day.
THE POPE AND THE CONJURER.
When Torrini, the magician, had beer
giving exhibitions in the principal Ital
ian cities, at the beginning of the pres
ent century, he decided to 60 to Rome
in the kope that the patronage of hi
Holiness the Pope would give eclat to hi.
reputation. In this he was not disap
pointed. Plus VII, who was then the
rigning Pontiff, having heard of hi
performances, did him the honor tc
Command his attendance at the Vatican
Being informed that his audience al
this exhibition would comprise all the
dignitaries of The Church, the magician
deroted unusual care to the selection ot
bis TICKS; but, after fixing on his bes,
ones, vanity racked his brain to invent
something worthy of his illustrious
SPECTATORS. ~
While he was thus perplexed, chance
threw in his way the means of accom-.
piishing 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 a
hickey, in rich scarlet livery, who had
inst came in, ask if his Eminence, the
Cardinal de IS watch was repaired.
ut will not be ready till this even.
eing,p replied the matchmaker. 'and
vii do myself the honor of personally
carrying it to your master"
Alter the servant had gone, the trades
man said to Torrini:
= aThis is a superb watch. His Emil.
nence, the Cardinal, to whom it belongs,
values it at more than 10000 francs;
for, as it was niade to his order by the
celebrated Breguet, he naturally sup
poses it to be unique of its kind. Curl
ousiy enough, however, it is only two
days ago that young fellow belonging
10 this city offered me precisely SINH
lar watch, made by the same artist, for
I,eW francs"
These words made an impression on
Torrini, who, having formed a plan of
/. operations, said to the watch. maker.
do you think this person is still de.
iiroas to dispose of his watch?n
Il have no doubt of it," was the re.
ply. "He is young prodigal, who,
having spent all his fortune, is now
obliged to sell his family jewels, and
viii be very glad to obtain thousand
francs.n
9But can he be found?"
Easily enough-in q gaming.house,
Shere he passes all his time"
SWELL" said the magician, 81 wish to
procure the watch, but cannot wait
longer than to-day. Please buy it for
me as coon as possible, and engrave on
II his Eninence's arms, SO that there
ihall be precise resemblance between
the two watches, and your profit shall
be proportioned to the discretion W tn
which you conduct the transaction"
The watch maker, who knew Torrini,
probably suspected his object in seekin
possession. of the watch, but being
aware that the magician discreet man.
agement would be assured by its neces
aty to his success, had no hesitation in
eumplying with his request.
Hte will only take quarter of an
hogr to 60 to the gaming-house, and ]
- confident of being able to procure
i for you"
In less than the time named the
dealer came back with the chronome
Ter in his hand.
sHere it isi" he exclaimed, with an
an Of triumph. "My man welcomed
me % providential visitor, and was SO
eager to dispose Of the watch that he
gave 1t to me without counting the
money. Everything shall be ready for
you tonight
Thatevening the watch maker brought
TWO ehronometers to Torrini, who, after
careful comparison, was unable to de-
tect any difference between them. The
magician now felt confident Of making
adecided hit with his, trick, the prepar.
anons for which were already expen.
Gse.
The next day he went to the Pontifri
Rels q, and at a signal given by hi
holiness ca2ie upon the stage. Though
toflini had appeared before crowned
neads, he had never been in the pres
ence OF such an august assembly. Ir
ne foreground sat Plus VII. himself, in
siafge armchair, on dais, while neal
nm were seated the Cardinals, and be
nnd them were the prelates and dig
hitries Of the Church. The nervous
=. that the pelfJrmer naturally ex
Hnenced in the presence of such
.sited personages was al,ayed by the
sneyolent expression on the face o.
@e Pope. Measured by his kindly
sances, To rini commenced:
holy Father" he said, lowing re
peclfully, 81 am about to show yor
1me experiments to which the name
y white magic has been most un
My given. This title was given BY
Suafiatans TO impress the multitude
sut 1t only signifies collection Of cleve
esphons, ingeniously contriyed Il
s9use the Imagination.
fiaased with the favorable reception
= ms address, Torrini commenced hi
Penormances in excellent spirits, whicl
sefe increased by the fatteripg com
m"ents of the Pope. In one Of hi
ethat Of the burnt writing, whicl
pSas Of q sentence or two written b
me Of the company, who, after burnin
.ne paper, discovers it intact in sealc,
usesope-he had the satisfaction of pre-
nSnng an autograph from his Holiness
M NJ oesng solicited to write a sente nc
30; VII. indited the following:
have much pleasure in stain
sass eignor Torrini Is an admirable 30