Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1900-07-18
BY J. Il. Wisely.
Copyright, 1899. by Esrtn W'ordmaR.

Rossini was happy-happy rs a child
on Christmas eve. His national hymn for
The Italian people had been accepted gra
oinusly by the king. who showed his ap-
probation by presenting to the composer
magnificent watch Rossini never tired
Of showing II to his friends. aud they
were enthusiastic in admiration OF its
costly workmanship and the number OF
unrvaled diamonds set in the case.
a royal diamond for every note. ST.
cnors." the master is recorded us saying
L. a gathering of friends. ''and by press
lux spring it plays tho prayer in my
composition Moses"
Six years passed.
One day as the great italian composer
was sitting In n cafe he was asked to
show his tifnepiece. Rossini touched the
device. and while his friends listened and
marycled the watch played in exquisite
harmony the prayer Of the ancient proph-
.t.
A stranger who was seated in "a corner
Of the cafe rose and said. 'Signor. you
have fine watch. but I'll wager large
sum of money that you do not know all
Of its various capacities"
"Signog." said Rossini in surprise, for
six years | have carried this watch In
honor OF my king, and in that time il
never has lost or gained a minute. II
chimes the hours and the quarters, its
dial denotes the minutes and the date OF
the month. and 1t plays. as you have
heard. the prayer in Moses.
The stranger smiled and shrugged his
shoulders. Nevertheless l maintain my
claim. III wager as much as 10000
frsEf t.H tYot Il.
not know fully its mechanical abilities"
The strangers confden, assertion baf-
fed Rossini- For moment he seemed
10 ponder the full meaning OF the offered
wager.
well. IL you have 10000 francs to risk
am willing to call il bet In the pres
ence of these gentlemen. Go on and
prove your claim IL you can"
Nothing is easier for me-" responded
the stranger calmly. THE watch plays
more than one OF your compositions, mas
ter. IL also contains your postscript. and
within it is engraved an inscription which
is worth hundred times the value OF the
entire watch"
In nmaxement Rossini watched the
stranger us he took the tinepiece and
touched several blind springs which open
ed the outer case and showed an inner
casing with the composers portrait in
miniature. while the mechanism played
selection from the opera "Tancredi."
Dec auu diavolo," exclaimed Rossini.
you have won the bet, and IL am a
ruined man. I've offended the king and
lost my watch. You must be magician.
How do you know the secrets OF the
watch?"
The stranger laughed heartily. Don't
take the matter TO heart, signor. l am
Michel Plivee, the maker OF this watch.
and only know its secrets. Take IL
hack. | do not want it. l wagered in
jest. but / am glad that you appreciate
my workmanship, great master"
Plivee explained 10 Rossini the intricate
mechanism, but when the composer in
quired about the inscription on the por-
trait casing to which Pliyee had alluded
the latter requested him not to urge him
Tor an answer.
But the curiosity OF the wizard OF
Pesaro" was reused. aud he insisted on
being shown the inscription.
Plivee was silent for moment, but
finally he took the watch and pointed out
the inscription.
There it is. Look close and You will
ind three numbers-6, 81, 61-on the re-
verse Of the plate. That is all l can tell
You"
What" calculated the master. SIS
that ali: Are these three numbers worth
hundred times more than the watch! 1t
can't be right. What do you mean!'
1t is secret dare not betray yet"
sighed the famous matchmaker.
But kossini insisted now more than be-
Tore on its being interpreted to him. He
wished TO know il he should choose the
hgures for lottery numbers, and he asked
II there was something about 1t that
might be figured out by the employment
OF arithmetic.
But Plivee remained imperturbable and
Would not disclose the secret.
Then when will you tell me the mean
ing Of those mysterious fgures?" asked
Rossini impatiently.
When time is" was the melancholy
answer.
The secrecy OF the meaning OF the fig
ures left q deep impression on the natu-
rally superstitious temperament Of the