Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-03-07
y1c1ss1TupEs OF A MILLION.

v1CIssITUDEs OF MILLION.
At the time of our story, there was an auc-
tion store near the Bourse.
The Viscount Robert n de P was twenty
five years of age, bad an income of 25 900 Ii
vres, good looks, an ilustrious name, and
could have made a very brilliant marriage. He
ought to have been the happiest man in the
world. He only had one regret. He had
nothing to do. He was unhappy at his hap
piness. The constant tranquility of life fati-
gued him. He needed a little bitter in his
cup of perpetual sweets. But Heaven refused
10 grant it TO him. He resolved to fly to 9TH
Ell lands, there to seek the fatigues, the suffer-
ings, the novelties he lacked.
So, five years ago, he entered by chance an
auction room, just as they were putting up a
capital portable writing desk.
He was about to travel, and it was just what
he wanted; SO he bought it for three hundred
francs.
1t probably cost more than ten times that
sum. In the interior there were compartments
for everything, and plate bore the name of
Lord N, one of the richest peers OF England.
He was enchanted with his purchase, and car
ried it home in triumph Some days after he
set out for Spain as he went from Madrid to
Cadiz he was stopped by thieves, who COM
pIetely despoiIed him. The only thing he
missed was his desk. He prayed them to re-
turn it. They refused but their chief, Don
Jose Maria, promised to send it to Cadiz after
him, on receipt of ransom. Robert promi-
sed 200 reals, and gave the address of the no.
tel where he meant to stop at Cadiz. He sent
the money and got his desk.
In America, in the wilds of Mexico, his desk
was carried off by Mexicans. He 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 tho't
Of going to Baden. He passed the summer
there, and went to Paris, visiting Cologne and
Aix-la-Chapelle on the way.
Arrived at the frontier which separates
France from Belgium, he fell into the hands
of the custom-house officers. Some days be-
fore some skllful fellows had defrauded the
customs to considerable amount, consequent
y the officers were on their guard.
The search was long, and the Viscount be-
came furious.
ssWhat do you fear ?'' he asked angrily.
s:Oh, sir, objects of great value can be con-
cealed in a small space"
"Have the air Of smuggler ?''
s'No, but there are ambassadors who snug
gle without scruple."
The search continued, and the Viscout was
astonished to sec the officers open drawers in
his desk, of the existence of which he was ig-
norant. At last, full of impatience, he wish
ed to reclaim it.
SNOW. that you have seen all,'' said he,
@.let us not prolong this unpleasant investiga-
tion.'
'sWhat do you say, sir 20
81 say that you have seen all, and know that
1 have nothing contraband.''
"YOur GOODNESS, sir, makes me pity you.
Have you nothing to bring forth If you do
so. you will be freed by paying the dues; if
not and find anything, there will be a confis-
cation and fine.''
''But you have seen all.''
'sPerhaps."
SsWhat do you mean by perhaps2''
"lt is well made. Any one but myself might
have been deceived
ssBut l swear to you that you have seen all.''
"Why deceive me 4? / am going to prove to
ithe contrary
elf you find anything else, I'll swear knew
nothing OF il"
ga poor exenEe. i warn you that 1 do not
believe you"
ssLet us finish this bad joke.''
'We will, and SO much the worse for you.''
And with nail the officer pressed against
what was apparently little ornament, which
dew back, disclosing drawer, in which was
paper parcel.
The officer took il out, looked at it, and put
it back.
ssThat is not contraband,'' said he, with
bow, sand with so much money was wrong
to accuse you.''
But the Viscount was stupefed.
"bank notes." cried he, fbnt did not put
them there"
81 ou are very fortunate, sir, if you can for
get million so easily"
In TACT there was there million of pounds
sterling.
The Vlsconnt took the notes, counted them,
replaced them, and determined to find the ow-
ner. Arrived at London he sought out Lord
a, whose name was craven inside. The no.
6Ieman affirmed that the money was not his
ne had given this desk to former valet of
MS whose address he gave the Viscount.
This valet was now wealthy shopkeeper in
gan Mall. He told the Yiscount that he knew
honght OF the money, but while in Italy, had
sold the desk to Count Luigi Settimanni, who |
was immensely rich, and in whose service he
then-was.
The Viscount set out for Italy. and went to
havenna, where Count Settimanni lived. He
recognized the desk, but avowed that he had
never placed any money in it. He sent the
fi'count, however, to the Signora Laura r.,