Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-01-02
rrbe pops and the Conjurer.

in the hope that the patronage OF his ho-
illness. the pope, would give eclat to his
renntation. In this he was not dlsap-
pointed. Plus VII, who was then the
reigning pontiff, having heard OF his
performances, did him the honor to COM
mand his attendance at the Vatican.
Being informed that his audi6hCe az
this exhibition would comprise al! Inc
dicnitaries of the church, the magician
devoted unusual care 10 the selectlon OF
his tricks: but after fixing on his best
ones vainly racked his brain to invent
something worthy of his illustrious spec
tatOrs.
When he was thus perplexed, chance
threw in his way the means OF accom-
plisbing bis object. Happening to be
In the shop of one of the best OF watch
makers in Rome the day before that
fixed for the performance, he heard
lackey. in rich scarlet livery. who mad
Just come in, ask if his eminence the
Cardinal de----'s watches were re-
paired.
ut will not be ready till this even
ing" replied the matchmaker, land l
will do myself the honor of personally
CARRYING II to yonr master.
After the servant had gone, the trades
man said 10 Torrini:
"This is superb watch. His emln-
ence, 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 Breguet, he naturally
suppOses it to be unique OF its KIND.
Curiously enough, however, 1t IS only
two days ago that young fellow be-
longing to this city offered me precise
.oL, ~ %
ist, for one thousand francs"
These words made an impression on
Torrini, who, having formed plan of
operations. said to the matchmaker
ssDo Won think this person is still de
sirous of disposing of his watch ?"
az have no doubt of it" was the reply.
Gle is young prodigal, who. having
spent all bis fortune, is now Obliged to
sell his family Jewels, and will be very
glad to obtain a thousand francs"
But can he be found p
easily enough-in a gaming house,
where he passes all his time.
"Wel," said the magician, Il wish
to procure the watch, but cannot wait
longer than to-day. Please buy 1t FOR
me az soon "a possible, and engraye on
il his eminence's arms, so that there
shall be 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 TOrrini,
probably suspected his object in seeking
possession of the watch, but, being
aware that the magician's discreet man.
agement would be assured by its neces-
sity TO his success, had no hesitation in
complying with bis request.
ut will only take quarter of an hour
to go to the gaming house, and | am con-
f1d1nt of being able to secure it for
you"
In less than the time named the deal
err came back with the chronometer in
his hand.
"Here it isl" he exclaimed, with an
air of triumph. "My man welcomed
me as providential visitor, and was so
eager to dispose of the watch that he
gave it to me without counting the
money. Everything shall be ready tor
you tonight"
That evening the matchmaker brought
the two thermometers to Torrini, who,
after a careful comparison, was unable
to detect any difference between them.
The magician now felt confident of max
ing a decided bit with his stick, the
preparations for which were already eX-
pensiye.
The next day he went to the pontiffs
place, and, at signal given by his holt
ness, came upon the stage. Though
TorriNi had appeared before crowned
heads, he had never been in the presence
of such an august assembly. In the
foreground sat Plus VII. himself, In
large armchair, on a dais, while near
him were seated the cardinals, and be-
hind them were the various prelates and
dignitaries of the church. The nervous
ness that the performer naturally eXpe-
rienced in the presence of such exalted
personages was allayed by the benevO-
lent expression on the face of the pope.
Reassured by his kindly glances, Torrini
commenced:
"Holy father" he said, bowling re-
specially, Il am about to show yOn
some experiments to which the name of
white magic has been most unjustly
given. This title was invented by char
latans to impress the multitude, but it
only signifies collection of clever de-
ceptiOns, ingeniously Contrived to amuse
the imagination"
Pleased with the favorable reception
of his address, TOrrini commenced his
performances in excellent spirits, which
were increased by the fiattering compli-
ments of the pope. In one of his tricks
that of the burnt writing, which con-
sists Of a sentence ortwO written by one
of the company, who, after burning the
paper, discovered it intact in a sealed
envelOpe-he had the satisfaction of
procuring an autograph of his holiness
On being solicited to write sentence,
Plus VII. indited the following:
StI bava rr111yeb Tnlnoc11rp in no
Signor Torrini is an amiable sorcerer"
The paper was burned, and the skill
with which it was made to appear in a
sealed envelop was appreciated by the
pope. who gave the eoniurer permission
to keep his autograph. 1t was now time
to end the performance with the trick
which the artist had invented for the oc-
casion to crown his other exploits.
Among the difficulties that he had to
contend with. the greatest was to OBJ
tain The cardinals watch without di-
rectly asking for it. To overcome this
he had recourse to a rusp. REQUESTING
the loan of watch from the company,
several were handed TO him, which he
returned, with the excuse, not without
truth. that none of them had any pecu-
liarity of shape that would make it easy
to identify the one selected. He then
SAID
eff any gentleman among you has
watch of rather large size (this was the
popularity of the cardinal's) he will con
fer great favor by lending it to me, as
1t will greatly facilitate my experiment.
need not soy that will be extremely
careful of it, My object is to prove the
superiority, if it has any. and, if not, to
wonderfully improve it.
All eyes were now turned on the car
dinal, who, as was well known, priced
his chronometer on account of its unusu-
al size; the large case, as he said, al
lowing the work to act more freely. He
hesitated, however, to part with his
treasure till Plus VII. said to him:
Cardinal, / fancy your watch will
suit exactly; oblige me by handing it |
to Signor Torrini."
His eminence complied, though not
without numerous precautions. When /
the watch was handed to him, Torrini
assumed to be absorbed in admira-
ton of the works and beautiful