Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1873-02-27
TIE POPE AND THE CONJUROR.

When Torrini, the magician, had
been giving exhibitions III the princi-
pal Italian cities, mt the beginning OF
the present century, he decided to go
10 Rome, in the hope that the patron
age of his holiness the pope would
give eciat to his reputation. In this
he was not disappointed, Plus VII,
who was then the reigning poHtiti, hay
ing heard of his performances, did him
lhe honor to command his attendance
Mt the Vatican. Being Informed that
his audience at this exhibition would
comprise all the lignltares of the
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 illustnous spectators.
While he was thus perpleXed, chance
threw in his way the means Of accom-
phshing ms 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 n
lackey, IN rich scarlet livery, who had
Just come in, ask if his emineuce the
iatulflul nc WHICH WIS Itpdiltu'
alt will not be ready till this even
ing, " replied the matchmaker, "and |
will do myself the honor of personally
carrying it to your master.
After the servant had gone, the
aaadesman SAID 80 Torrlni:
This IS n superb watch. HIS emit
nence, the Cardinal, to whom it
belongs, values it Mt more than ten
thousand francs for. as it was made
So his order by the celebrated Breguet,
he naturally supposes 1t to be unique
of its kind, Curiously enough, how
ever, 1t IL only two days ago that a
young fellow, belonging to this city,
offered me a precisely similar watch,
made by the same artist, for one thons-
and flames.
These words made IN impression on
Torrini, who, having formed plan
of operations, said to the watch ma
kor.
"Do you think this person is still
DESTROYS to dispose OF his watchl"
al have no doubt ofit," was the re-
ply. He is young prodigal, who,
having spent all his fortune, is now
obliged to sell his family jewels, and
aill be very glad to obtain thousand
,rancs
"But can he be found 2"
" Easily enough-in agaming house,
where he passes all his time.
"Wcll, sa4d the magician, wish
81 procure the watch, but cannot wait
longer than to-day Please get it for
ane Ms soon rs possible, and engraye on
Il his emnence's arms, SO that there
shall be Il precise resemblance between
the two watches, and your profit shall
be proportional to the discretion with
which you conduct the transaction.
The matchmaker, who knew Torriui,
probably suspected his object in seek.
ing possession of the watch, but, being
aware that magician's discreet mau-
agcment would be its necessity to his
success, had no hesitation IN complying
With his request
cit viii only take a quarter ot an
hour to so to the gaming-house, and |
an confident Of being able to secure it
for you.
In less than ,he time named the
dealer came back withthe chronometeE
In mis- hand.
.Hera IL is, he exclaimed, with an
SIR Of triumph My man welcomed
7ne as n provideutial visitor, ana was Sc
eager 10 dispose of the watch that ht
raya II 70 me without counting the
money. Every thing shall be eady for
You to right.