Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-05-01

Learned Indge.

One of the first mummies brought into Europe
from the East gave rise to a most dramatic ad-
venture About a hundred years ago. an anti
quarry, returning from Grand Cairo, brought a
mummy with him, presumed to be at least three
thousand six hundred years old. Our savant,
tired of the diligences in which he had been trav-
cling from Marseilles, took barge at Fontain
bleau, which landed him safe and sound at Port
st. Bernard. Eager TO see his family he had his
effects loaded on a litter, but lett his precious
mummy in the bottom of the boat. The custom
house officer. on opening it, discovered a box of
a strange shape and aspect. Suspecting it to con
tain cOntraband goods, he had it opened What
a spectablei A woman swathed in linen banda
ges from head to foot No doubt this was
wretched victim s.rangle'l ty jealous lover or a
grasping heir. I he cvlamissary of police was
instantly sent for and made his appearance flank
ed by two surgeons skilful himself in arch
aOIOgy. The crime was recognized, report
made of it, and the body transported to the
Morgue, that the friends might come and iden-
tify it. 1t is presumed that none of these
made their appearance. Our learned traveller,
the next day, bethOught himself of his greatest
curiosity He flew to the boat, when the
learned eommissary and three minions Of the
law seized him, and dragged him before the mag
istrate
"Aha, my fine fellow, cried the latter, "we've
got you"
"W1l your Honor favor mewith the reason of
this extraordinary proceeding?''
cit remains for you. sir, to explain the circum
stances of the murder you have committed
Murder that 1 have committed" cried the
savant, aghast.
''Or at least the crime in which you were an
aecomplice.''
Good heavensl' said the learned man, ''your
worship is dreaming"
mo, sir, you'll find me wide awake, to your
cost. The eye of justice never closes Did not
my officers discover the body of your victim,
strangled and shut up in a box2 Here's the re-
port of the discovery, duly sealed, signed and at
tested"
''Is that all?" said the antiquary. with a hearty
laugh.
Hardened ruffint' cried the Judge "Do you
indulge in levity with the shadow of crime so
black hanging over your head2 Now, sir, look
me in the face, and answer the questions shall
put. BY whom was that young girl placed in the
boat in which she was dscovered?"
"By myself, sir" he replied
"Who swathed her with linen bandages from
head to footi''
Il did, your Honor"
Write down, Mr.. Clerk, that he ad,lits his
crime"
"The expression is rather strong SIR said the
antiquary
1.-The deed is heinous," said the judge. "How
old was this girl?"
About nineteen years., was the reply.
"Of what country?" continued the judge.
Memphis, / think, said the antiquary
'When did her death take placer?
About three thousand six hundred years ago.
Prisoner how dare you indulge in this mis-
placed levityl" exclaimed the judge.
81 am not joking, sir. 1 assure you the de-
ceased lived in the reign of one of the Pha-
raohs"
''I'll put the handouts on you rascal :" said the
exasperated Judge.
"Your honor" said the prisoner, sternly, ''this
pleasantly has been carried too far. And let me
say, sir, that you are the most maryellously gno-
rant man that ever sat upon the bench Where
were you brought up that you haven't even sus
pected that for two days you have been holding
an investigation on the pretended murder of an
Egyptian mummy"
"a mummy" explained the judge.
"Of course, sir" said the antiquary, "and il
you had conducted your examination properly
you would know that you are addressing Count
de D, a member of the Academy of In
scriptions and Bellies Lettres."
"My lord,'' said the Judge, "I beg thousand
pardons. hope your lordshp will forget
al will forgive everything" he interrupted
"Give me my mummy, and try in future to OBJ
three or four thousand years in guessing at the
date of persons DEATH"
The magistrate, very much mortified at hi:
blunder, gave up the mummy, but he never hearC
the last of the story.