The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1873-02-20
THE POPE AND THE CONJURER

, When Torrini, the magician, had beer
giving exhibitions in the principal Itali
an cities, at the beginning of the present
century, he decided te 60 TO Rome, in til,
hope that the patronage of his holiness
the pope would give eclat to his reputa
ton. In this he was not disappointed
Plus VII, who was then the reigning pom.
tiff, having heard Of his performances
did him the honor to command his at
tendance at the Vatican. Being Informed
that his audience at this exhibition would
comprise all the dlgnitaries otthe Church.
the magician devoted unusual care to the
selection OF his tricks; but, after fixing on
his best ones, vainly racked his brain to
invent something worthy of his ilIustri-
Gus spectators.
While he was thus perplexed, chance
threw in his way the means of accom-
plishing his object. Happening to be in
the shop of one Of the best watchmakers
in Rome the day before that liked for the
performance, he heard a lackey, in rich
scarle: livery, who had just come In ask
if his eminence the Cardinal dos
watch was repaired.
ut will not be ready till this evening,
| L
myself the honor of personally carrying
1t to your master"
After the servant had gone, the trades.
han said to Torrini
This is superb watch. His eminonce,
the Cardinal, to whom it belongs, values
it at more than ten thousand francs; for,
as it was made to his order by the cele
brated Breguet, he naturally supposes il
to be unique of its kind. Curiously
enough, however, it is only two days ago
that young fellow, belonging to this
city, offered me precisely similar watch,
made by the same artist, for one thousand
| francs"
! These words made an impression on
Torrini, who, having formed plan of
operations, said to the matchmaker.
Do you think this person is still desir
Gus to dispose of his watch?"
Il have no doubt of it," was the reply.
'He is young prodigal, who having
spent all his fortune, is now obliged to
sell his family jewels, and will be very
glad to obtain thousand francs"
but can he be found?"
Easily enough-in a gaming. house,
where ne passes all his time"
"Weli," said She magician, II wish to
procure the watch. but cannot wait longer
than to-day. Please get it for me as soon
as possible, and engrave on it his emf
neuCe's arms, so that there shall be a pre-
else resemblance between the TWO watch
es, and your profit shall be proportional
to the discretion with which you conduct
the transaction"
The matchmaker, who knew Torrinl,
probably suspected his object in seeking
possession of the watch, but, being aware
that the maglcian's discreet management
would be its necessity to his success, had
no hesitation In complying with his re-
quest.
at will only take quarter Of an hour
TO go to the gaming-house, and am con-
fdent of being able to secure it for you. y
In less than the time named the dealer
came back With the chronometer in his
hand.
Here it Isl" he exclaimed, with an air
of triumph. "My man welcomed me as a
providential visitor, and was so eager to
dispose of the watch that he gave it tc
me without counting the money. Every
thing shall be ready for You tonight"
That evening the matchmaker brought
the two chronometers to Torrini who, after
o careful comparison was unable to de-
tect any difference between them. The
magician now felt confident of making @
decided hit with his trick, the prepare
tions for which were already expensive
The next day he went to the Pontif's
palace, and, at q signal given by his holt
ness, came upon the stage. Though Tor,
RIM bad appeared before crowned heads
he had never been in the presence of sucE
an august assembly. In the foreground
sat Plus VII. himself,in large arm chair
on dais, while near him were seated the
cardinals, and behind them were the va
rious prelates and dignitaries of the
Church. The nervousness that the per
former naturally experienced in the pres
ence of such axalted personages was al
layed by the benevolent expression on the
face Of the Pope. Rea, sured by his kindly
Chances Torrini commenced:
'Holy father, he said, bowling respect
fully, II am about to show you some ex
periments to which the name of white
magic has been most unjustly given
This title was invented by charlatans tx
, impress the multitude, butt only signi
fies collection of clever receptions, in
geniously contrived to amuse the imagin
alton"
. Pleased with the favorable reception
of his address, Torrinl commenced hi
performances in excellent spirits, which
!, were increased by the fattering compli
ments of rhe pope. In one If his trick
that of the burnt writing, which con
sists of sentence or two written by on
l of the company, who, after burning tn
paper, discovers it intact in sealed en
. lyelop-he had the satisfaction of procur
ling an autograph from his holiness. o
being solicited to write a sentence, Piu
4 r. L. =.