The hydraulic press., 1861-05-04
The Judge and the Mummy.

The Judge and the Mummy.
Less than Il hundred years ago an an
tiquary returning from Grand Cairo, brought
a mummy with him presumed to be at least
$500 years old. Our savont, tired of the
dligences in which he had been travelling
from. Marseilles, took a barge at Fontaine-
beau, which landed safe and sound at Fort
ST. Bernard. Eager to see his family. he had
his effe is loaded on a litter. but left his
precious mummy in the bottom Of the boat.
The custom house officer, on boarding it,
discovered box of a strange shape and
aspect. Thinking it contained contra aband
goods, he had it opened. What a spectacle! !!
A woman. swathed in linen bandages from
head TO foot! No doubt this was q wretched
victim strangled by a jealous lover or grasp
ing heir. The commissary of police was
Instantly sent for, and made his appearance,
hanked by two surgeons as skillful as him
sef in archaeology. The crime was recog-
nlzed repor: made of it, and the body
transported TO the Morgue that the friends
might come and identify it. 1t is presumed
that none of them made their appearance
Our learned traveller however, in taking an
inventory of his effects the next day, be-
thought himself of his greatest curiosity
He few to the boat, when the learned com
seized him and took him before tae mag
istrate.
"Aha! my fine fellow" cried the Judge
"we've got you."
s.Will your honor favor me with the reason
of this extraol dinary proceediug?'
at remains for you, sir, to explain the
circumstances Of the murder you have COM
mitted!'
"Murder!'
'That is the word, SIR
"The murder that I have committed !"
cried the saudnt, aghast.
'Or at least the crime in which you were
an accompice."
"Good heavens your worship is dream
ing"
"Ah! dreaming, am 1? No sir; you'll
find me wide awake to your cost. The eye
of justice never closes Did not my vigilant
officers discover the body of your victim
strangled and shnt up in box? Here's the
report of the discovery, duly sealed, signed
and attested, sir"
'Is that all p said the antiquary, with
hearty laugh.
'Hardened ruffian," cried the Judge, ''do
you indulge in levity with the shadow of
crime so black hanging over your head
Now sir, look me in the face and answer the
questions l shall put BY whom was that
young girl placed in the box in which she
was discovered p
''Bv mvself SIR"
"Nlr. Clerk, please take down his confess
sion," said the magistrate. "Who swathed
her with linen bandages from head to foot 2"
81 did, your honor
"Write down, Mr.. Clerk, that he admits
his horrid crime
'.The expression is rather strong, sir
"The deed was heinous. How old was this
unfortunate girl ?"
"AbOnt nineteen years."
"Of what country ?"
"Alrmphis, think
"Fancy importing girl such distance to
murder her When did her death take
place?"
"Three thousand six hundred years ago.
"PrSoner. how dare you indulge in this
misplaced levity ?"
Il am not joking, SIR. Iassure you the
deceased lived in the reign of one of the
Pharaohs," instituted the antiquary.
''I'll put the handouts on, you rascal"
"Your honor" said the prisoner, sternly,
"this pleasantly has been carried too far
And let me say, sir, that you are the most
marvelously ignorant man that ever sat upon
jndical bench. Where were you brought
up, that you haven't even suspected that for
two days you have been holding an inquest
on the pretended murder Of an Egyptian
mummy
"A mnmmy?"
"Of course, sir; and if you had conducted
your examination properly, you would know
that you are addressing Count de D., a
member of the Academy of Inscription and
Bellies Lettres."
"Mv lord" said the judge II beg thou
sand pardons. l hope your lordshp will
forget"
81 will forget everything. Give me my
mummy, and try in future to obtain experts
who will come little nearer than three or
four thousand years in guessing at the date
of a persons DEATH"
The police magistrate, very much morti-
ned Mt his hlnnder, gave up the mummy
but he never heard the last of the story.
THE GOVERNORS PosITIoN IN THE CRISIS
An interview with his Excelency, Cover
IT,