Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1859-06-25
The Vicissitudes of a Million.

At the time of our story, there was al auc.
ton store near the Boursr
The NiSc0unt Robert y. dc p was o5
years of age, had an income of 81, 900 livrrs,
wit, good looks, an illuStriOuS name, and could
have made very brilliant marriage. lie ought
to have been the happicSt man in the world
lie only had one regret. lie had nothing to
do. lie was unhappy Mt his happiness. The
constant tranquility Of life fatigucd him. lie
needed little bitter in his cup of perpetual
sweets But heaven refused to grant it to him.
lie resolved to fly to other lands, there to seek
the fatigucs the sutferings, the novelties he
lacked.
So, five years ago, he entered by chance an
auction room, just az they were putting up q
capital portable writing desk.
lie was about to travel, and il was Just
what he needed; so he bought it for three
hundred francs.
1t probably cost more than ten times that
sum- In the interior there were compnrt-
ments for everything, and a plato bore the
name Of Lord n, ono Of the richest peers Of
England. lie was enchanted with his pur.
chase, and carried it home in triumph. Some
days after he set out for Spain; az he went
from Madrid to Catiz he was stopped bv
thieves, who completely dcspOilcd him. The
only thing he missed was his desk. IIc prayed
them to return it. They refused, but their
chief, Don Jose Maria, promised tO send it az
ter him to Cadiz, OF receipt of q ransom.-
Robert promised 300 reals, and gave the ad-
dress of the hotel where he meant to stop ut
Cadiz. lie sent the moncy and got his desk.
In America, in the wills of Mexico, his
desk was carried oil by the Mcxicans. liz
thought it lost. Four months afterwards he
found it in shop in Vera Cruz, and paid 500
francs for it.
In 1852, having returned to France, he
thought Of going to Baden. IIc passed the
summer there, and went to Paris, visiting Co.
lognc and AiX-a Chpclle on his way.
Arrived on the frontier which separates
France from Belgium, he fell into the hands
Of the custom house officers. Some DAYS be.
fore some Skillful fellows hal dcIraudcd the
customs to considerable amount, consequent
ly the officers were ON their guard.
The search was long, and the Viscount be.
came furious.
What do you fear ?" he asked angriy.
"Oh, sir, objects Of great value can be con-
cealcd in small space"
Have the dir Of Smugglcr!"
No, but there are ambassadors who SNUG.
gle without scruplc."
The search continued, md the Viscount was
astonishcd to see the officers open drawers in
his desk, Of the existence Of which he was ic.
Dorant. At last, full Of Impotence, he wished
to reclaim it,
snow that you have seen ALL" said he, "lct
us not prolons this unpleasant investigation. "
"What do you say sir:"
81 say that you have seen all, and know
that have nothing cOntraband"
"Your cOolncss, sir, makes mo pity vou.-
Have you nothing to bring forth {! lr you do
so, you will be freed by paying the dues; il
not, and l find any thing, there will Lc con.
fiscaton and tinc."
But you have seen ALL"
"Perhnps."
"What do you mean by pcrhaps:"
ut is we'll made. Any but myself might
have been deceived"
"But ! swear to you that you have seen
all.
"Why deceive me: am going to prove
the contrary"
"lf yon find any thing else, Ill swear
know nothing oft"
" A poor excuse l warn you DO not bc.
lievc YOU
Let us finish this bad joke"
"Wc will, and so much the worse for YOU. "
And with q nail the officer pressed against
what was apparently little ornal..Gpt, which
flew back, disclosing drawer, in which was
paper parcel. The officer took it out, looked
at it, and put it back.
"That is not cOntraband," said nc, with q
bow, "and with so much money was wrong
to accuse you"
But tho EEcoQnt was stupeficd.
Bank notes! !" cried he bat did not
put them there"
You are very fortunate, sir, if You can for
get million 20 readily"
In fact there was there million of pounds
sterling
The ViscOunt took the notes, counted them.
replaced them, and determined to find the own.
e.. Arrived at London, no sought out Lord
n, whose name was engraved inside. The