Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-06-19
Srlettr6 MlistrlIanp.
A Mexican strataxern.

lady of fortune, in the city of Mexico, when
that city was under Spanish rule. owing to some
combination Of circumstances, found herself in
difficulties and in immediate want OF a small sum
of money.
Don - being her friend, and respectable
merchant, she went 10 him to state her necessities,
and offered him case of valuable jewels as a Sc
curity for the repayment. provided he would ad-
vance her eight hundred dollars. He agreed. and
the bargain was concluded without any written
document, the lady depositing her jewels and re.
eeiving the sum.
At the end of n few months, her temporary diff
fculties being ended, she went to her friends
house to repay the money and receive back her
Jewels. The nlan readily received the money,
but declared to the astonshed lady that as to the
jewels, he had never heard of them, and that no
such transaction had taken place.
The senora, indignant at the merchants treach-
cry, instantly repaired to the palace of the vice
roy, hoping for Justice from this Western Solo
mon, though unable to conceive how il was to be
obtained She was instantly received by Count
Revillagigado who listened attentiyely to the ae-
count OF the circumstances
"Have you no witnessI" said the Count.
sNone," replied she.
did no servant pass in or out during the trans
actionf"
"No one'
The viceroy reflected moment.
F, "Does your friend smokel"
mo sir" said the lady, astonished at the
strange question.
docs he take snuff y asked the yiceroy,
"Yes, your excellency," said his visitor, who
feared that his excellency's wits were wool-gath-
ering.
"That is sufficient" !" said the vieeroy; "retire
to the adjoining chamber and keep quiet; your
Jewels shall be restored
His excellency then dispatched a messenger
for the merchant, who Immediately presented
himself
81 have sent for you," said the viceroy, that
we may talk over some matters in which your
mercantile knowledge may be of use to the
State"
The merchant was overwhelmed with gratitude
and joy; while the viceroy entered into conver
sation with him upon various affairs connected
with his profession.
Suddenly the viceroy put his hand, first into
one pocket, then into the other, with the air of
man who had mislaid something. "Ah," said he
"my snuff-boxl Excuse me for moment, while
i fetch it from the other room.''
"SIr," said the merchant, permit me to have
the honor of offering my box to your excellency.'
His excelency received it, as If mechanically,
holding il in his hand and talking, till, pretending
some business, he went out, and calling an officer
desired him to take that snuff-box TO the mer.
chants house, asking his wife, as from him, By
that token to deliver the bearer jewel case which
he had received from the merchants wife.
Reyillagigado returned to his fair complainant
and under the pretence of showing her some
rooms in the palace, led her into one where
among many objects of value, the jewel cas-,
stood open.
No sooner had she cast her eyes upon it thar
che started forward in joy and amazement. Tn,
Viceroy requested her to wait there little longer
and returned to his other guest.
"Now," said be, "before going further, wisl
to hear the truth concerning another affair II
which you are interested. Are you acquainte,
with The Sonora de-"
ultimately, sir; she is my friend"
"Did you lend her eight hundred dollars a
such dater'
81 did"
did she give you a case of jewels in pledgei'
"Never," said the merchant vehemently 9TH
money was lent without any securty-merely ar
act of friendship; and she has invented a stor,
concerning some jewels, which had not the slight
est foundation"
In vain the viceroy begged him 20 reflect, an'
not, by adding falsehood to treackery, force hin
to take measures of severity. The merchant per
sisted in his denial.
The viceroy left the room suddenly and return
ed with the jewel case in his hand at which un
expected apparition the merchant changed color
and entirely lost his presence of mind
The viceroy ordered him from bis presence
with a severe rebuke of his falsehodd and treach
cry, and an order never again to enter the palace
the next morning eight hundred dollars with fv,
hundred more, which he did, and which were b
the viceroy's orders, distributed among the hos
pitals- His exceliency gave a severe repriman
to the lady for having made a bargain withou
writing