News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1882-04-06

greatest calmness, "you have no occa-
sion to be frightened I merely wish to
prove to these gentlemen the perfection
of your watch"
With these words stamped on the
case, which broke, fsttened, and soon
presented but sbapeless mass. At first
I really fancied the cardinal was going
into a fit; he could scarcely restrain his
passion. But the Pope then turned to
him:
"Come, Cardinal, have you no con-
fidence in our sorcerer? For my part
laugh like a child at it being convinced
there has been some clever gubstitu-
tion."
"Wnl your Holiness permit me to re-
mark" said, especially, "that there
has been no substitution Iappeal to
his Eminence who will reco gnize his
own watch"
And I offered the cardinal the shape
less relics of his watch. He examined
them anxiously, and finding his arms
engraved inside the case, said, with a
deep sigh:
eyes, that is certainly my watch.
But" he added, dryly, 81 know not how
you will escape"
"Well, your Excelleney, 1 am en-
chanted at that circumstance, for it
must enhance the credit of my expert
ment. Now, with your permission,
will proceed"
GOOD gracious me, sir, you did not
consult me before destroying the watch.
Do what you please; it is no concern of
mine"
The identity of the cardinals watch
thus proved, I wished to pass into the
Pope's pocket the one had bought the
previous evening. But I could not
| dream of this SO long as his Holiness
remained seated. Hence sought some
pretext to make him rise, and soon
found one.
A brass mortar, with an enormous
pestle, was now brought in. placed it
on the table, threw in the fragments of
the chronometer, and began pounding
furiously. Suddenly a slight detona-
ton was heard, and vivid light came
from the vessel, which cast ruddy hue
over the spectators and produced a
magical appearance. All this while,
bending over the mertsr, pretended to
see something that filed me with aston
ishment
The Pope, yielding to his curiosity,
approached the table. begged him to
come round to more favorable posi-
ton, and then slipped the watch had
bought into his pocket. By this time
the Cardinals watch was a small lump
of gold, which held up to the specta-
tors.
"Now," I said, 81 will restore this
gold INTO its former shape while it is
passing into the pockets of some one
present"
''Ahal'' the Pope said; "that is get
ting little too strong; but what would
You do, my good sorcerer, if 1 asked
you to choose my pocket"
"Your Holiness need only order for
me to obey"
"well, Monsieur Ia Comte, let it be
So"
''Your Holiness shall be Immediately
satisfied"
I took the ingot in my fingers, showed
it to the company, and it disappeared on
my uttering the word "pass."
The Pope, with manifestations of
utter incredulity, thrust his hand into
his pocket. soon saw him blush with
confusion, and draw out the watch,
which he handed to the cardinal as if
afraid of burning his finger.
At first it was supposed to be a mys-
LITIGATION, as no one could believe in |
such an immediate repair; but when my
audience were assured that I had full
filled my promise, received the ap-
plause SO successful trick deserved.
The next day the Pope sent me rich
diamond snuff-box, while thankin me
for the pleasure had occasioned him.