Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-03-23
Romantic Changes in the Life of Mill
llnuofre

twenty five years of age; had an income oi
$4,000 livres, wit good looks, an illustrious
name, and could have made very brilliant
marriage. He ought to have been the happi-
est man in the world. He had only one re-
gret. He had nothing TO do. He was un-
tranquility of life fatigued him. He needed
little bitter in his cup of perpetual
sweets, but heaven refused to grant 1t 10 him.
lie resolved TO fly to other lands, there
to seek the fatigues, the suherings, 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 IL was just
what he needed; so he bought 1t for three
hundred francs.
IL probably cost more than ten times that
sum. In the interior there were compart-
ments for everything, and u plate bore the
name of Lord -, one of the richest peers
of England. He was enchanted with his
purchase, and carried il home in triumph.
Some DAYS after, he set out for Spain; as he
went from Ma1rid to Cadiz he was stopped
by thieves, who completely despoiled him
The only thing he missed was his desk. He
PRAYED them to return IL. They refused, but
their chief, Don Jose Maria, promised to send
il after him to Cadiz, on receipt of a ransom.
Robert promised 200 reals and gave the
address of the hotel 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 Mexicaus. He
| thought it lost. Four months afterwards he
found il in shop in Vera Cruz, and paid 800
francs for it.
In 1852, having returned to France, he
thought OF going to Baden. He passed the
summer there, and went to Paris, visiting
Cologne and Aix-la-Chapelle on the way.
Arriving at the frontier which separates
France from Belgium, he fell into the hands
ofthe custom-house officers. Some days before
some skilful fellows had defrauded the Gus
toms to q considerable amount, consequently
the officers were on their guard.
The search was long, and the Viscount be-
came furious.
"What do you fear?" he asked angrily.
''Oh, sir, objects of great value can be con-
cealed ia a small space"
"Have the air Of a smuggler2"
mo, but there are ambassadors who snug
gle without scruple."
The search continued, the Viscount was
astonished to see the officers open drawers in
his desk, ofthe existence of which he was
ignorant At last, full of impatence, he
wished to reclaim it.
"Now, that you have seen ALL" said he,
''let us not prolong this unpleasant investiga-
ton"
"What do you say, sir?'
81 say that you have seen all, and know
that 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 con-
fiscatiOn and fine"
But, you have seen ALL
perhaps"
"What do you mean by perhaps2'
ut is well made. Any one but myself
might have been deceived"
'But swear to you that you have seen
all"
"Why deceive me. l am going to prove to
the contrary" =
lfyou find anything else, I'll swear know
nothing of it,"
poor excuse. | warn you that do not
believe you"
"Let 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 |
flew back, disclosing drawer, iu which was |
paper parcel.
The officer took it out, looked at it, and put
it back.
THAT is not contraband,' said he with a
bow, land with so much money | was wrong
to accuse you.
But the Viscount was stupefed
Bank notesl" cried he. 'But did not put
them there"
"You are very fortunate, sir, if you can
forget a million so readily"
In fact there was there million of pounds |
sterling.
The Viscount took the notes, counted them, |
replaced them and determined to find the |
owner. Arrived at London, he sought out
Lord u, whose name was engraved in |
side. The nobleman affirmed that the money |
was not his. He had given this desk to for |
mer valet of his, whose address he gave the
Viscount.
This valet was now q wealthy shop-
keeper in Pail Mall. He told the Vlscount
that he knew naught 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
Ravenna where Count Settimanni lived. He
recognized the desk, but avowed that he had
never placed any money in it. He sent the
Eisount, however to the Signora Laura
Il, former prima donna of the San
Carlo at whose house, in his gay DAYS, he had
forgotten his desk.
The Signora Laura recognized the desk
and related that she had given it to the Rus
sian Prince, Alexis B, in exchange for
a pearl collar.
The Viscount set out for St. Petersburg.
lie was very happy. He now had something
to do-to lind the true owner of the hidden
money. He placed it on interest, in ordor
that 1t might not run the risk of being lost.
Prince B knew the desk, but declared
That he had never concealed a single bank
note in it. He told the Viscount that on
leaving Italy he had gone to Paris, and had
given the desk to danseuse of the opera,
Louise p, who was not in the habit of
money.
Robert returned TO Paris
There he learned that after life of gal
lantry and luxury, Louise P had died
in misery, aud that her furniture was sold bv
her creditors. 1t was at that sale that he had
bought the desk.
What to do now? lie could only think
that the maker of the desk had placed the
money there, or that it was there deposited
BY the Spanish robbers who stole it.
The maker at London wrote that he knew
nothing of it, and the Viscount learned that
the Spanish robbers had all been hung long
since. 'e
All! perhaps it was deposited in the desk by
the Mexicans. He went to Mexico, whence
he returned two months ago.
He there discovered that one of those into
whose hands it had fallen was a trapper. who
carried on considerable traffic in skins with
the Americans. This was sufficient. lie
must have been the man who concealed the
bank notes. '"'
Inc Viscount continued his search, and at
last found one day at Vera Cruz a pretty
young girl Of seventeen, the daughter of the
Mexican bV a Fran oh ..yn,,,a,, 10 4 - 80