The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-05-19
VIclssirUOEs oF 4 WRITING DESK.


At the time of our story, there was oil
auction store in Paris, near the Bourse.
The Viscount Robert n. de p was
twenty five years Of age, had On income oI
10000 livers, wit, good looks, al illustrious
name, and could have made very br ilianl
marriage lie ought TO have been the hap
piest man in the world. lie only had one
regret. lie had nothing to do. lie was
unhappy at his happiness. The constant
tranquility Of life iatigued him, lie needed
little bitter in his cup OF perpetual sweets.
But heaven refused 10 grant i, to him. Ilc
resolved to Nv to other lands. there TO seek
the fa,'gues. the suilerings, the novelties he
lacked.
So five years ago he entered by chance an
auction room, just as they were putting up
capital portable writing desk
He was about to travel, and il was just
what be needed 50 he bought il Tor three
hundred frances
II probably cost more than ten times that
sum. In the interior there were compart-
men,s for everything, and plate bore the
name Of Lord n, one Of the richest
peer, OF England. lie was enchanted with
his purchase, and carried i, home in iri-
umpb. Some days after he set out Tor
SPAN us he went from Madrid 20 Cadiz
he was stopped by thieves. who completely
dsspoiled hun. The only thing lc missed
was his desk. lie prayed them TO return it..
They refused but their chief, Don jose
Maria, promised to send il alter him to
Cadn, on receipt of ransom. Robor,
promised 200 reals, and gave the addrcs. Of
the hotel where he meant TO stop AT Cadiz.
lie sent the money aud got hls desk.
In America. in the wIds Of Mexico his
desk wns carried oil 10y Mcyicans. lie
thought II lost. -Four months afterwards
he tound 1t IN n shop IN Vera Cruz, and
paid 800 francs Tor it.
In 1862. having returned 10 France. he
thought of going TO Baden. He passed
the summer there. and went to Paris, visit
ing Coogns aud AiS-a Chapelle on the
way
Arrived at the frontier shich separates
France IRON Belgium, he fell into the hands
OF the custom house officers. some DAYS
before some skillul fellows had dcirauJ,d
scquop''y the officers were on their guard
The search was long, and the Viscount
became furious.
"What do you fear be asked angry.
"Oa sir, objects Of great value eau be
concealed In n small space.
Have the air Of smuggler"
NO, but there are ambassador who
smugge without scruple.
The search continued. aud Niscount was
as,onsi,d to see the officer open drawers il
his desk, Of the existence Of which he was ig-
norant, Al last, full Of impotence, be
wished TO reclaim il.
Now. that you seen all, - said BE-, " let
Us not proIong this unpleasant investigation. -
What do yon say sir ?"
81 say that you have seen all. and know
that have nothing coDtrsband."
Your cOolDess. sir, makes me pity you.
Have you nothing 10 bring forthi II you
do 80 you will be freed by paying the duc4,
il not, and find anything there will be a
coDiiscation and fine
"Bu, you have s,en oil.
Perhaps"
What do you mean by perhaps
II is well made Any one but myself
NJ ght have bcc0 deceived.
But swear 70 you that you have sen
all"
why deceive me am going 20 prove
the contrary
II you fpd anything eIsc | Il swear !
know nothing pf it,
a poor eKcu- warn you tha' ] d.
NJ, believe you"
1T US finish ,hi. bad Joke.
We viii, aud w much the worse ior
you.'
And with nal, the officer pressed against
what was apparently little ornament
which few back, d'sclosing a drawer, in
which wa paper parcel
The officer :ypk It out. lCokcd al il, aud
pa, il back
This, ia no, contratan1." " said be with q
bow. and with 40 much money was wrong
~ accuse you.
Bg, tb: Vi-cDuni WA. siupeged.
Bank pobs :" cried be Bat did
~, put them tbcre'
You are fortunate, sir, II you can forge'
Il million ~ readily
Ia fact there was there a million Of ,ound'
sterling.
The yiscoun, took the notes, cOuu'e,
,bem. rcplaeni item. and determined 10 iiDf
The gxpef. Arrived at London, h. soogb
Dut IDrj ", who's. name ~as sB
graved INSIDE The n0b'Gnsn affirmed tia
thy money vas DO, hi. lie had given lI
IL m a bonner valet yhfs4e addrr.s b. yay
the ' isc0unt.
1hls valet W. DON q seal,by .b0p-kr-l.
% Pal Mall H. tod the Ni.couh, tia
b. kn.s nDqgh, oi ,be noney bat shils Il
llaiy LAD .old he d'sk 10 c"up' Lnig -
tmanu who vas imnn-'ly rich aud d
abs. -ty,r. 10 the sas
Tis Nt.cDgn, ~ ou' fIr Italy, aud vet
- E,ypnba vhers Com, Se'iimanni live
he r,cDgn ysd The 'i'.s bu' a'o~sd ,ha, b