Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-07-22


A lady of fortune, liz the city of Mexico
when that city was under the 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 respect
able merchant, she went TO him to state her
necessities, and offered him case of valuable
jewels as security for her repayment. pro
vided he would advance her eight hundred
dollars. He agreed and the bargain was con.
cluded without any written document, tile
lady depositing her jewels and receiving the
sum-
AT the end of a few months, her temporary
difficulties being ended, she went to her
friends house TO repay the money and receive
back her Jewels. The man readily received
the money, but declared to the astonished lady
that as to the jewels, he had never heard of
them, and that no such transaction had taken
place
The sonora, indignant at the merchants
treachery, instantly repaired to the palace of
the vice king, hoping Tor justice from this
western Solomon, though unable to conceive
how it could be obtained She was instantly
received by Count Reyiagigado, who listened
attentively 10 the account of the circumstan-
ces.
"Have you no witness 2" said the count.
"None, replied she.
"Did no servants pass in or out during the
transaction"
''No one"
The viceroy reflected a moment.
''Does your friend smoke 60
''No, sir said the lady, astonished at the
TRANCE question.
"Does he take snuff" asked the viceroy.
eyes, your eIcellency," said the visitor who
feared that his excellency's wits were wool
gathering.
"That is sufficient" said the viceroy Gre
tire into the adjoining chamber and keep quiet
your jewels shall be restored"
His excellency then dispatched messenger
forsthe 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 graf
itude and joy while the vicer0y entered into
conversation 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 a man who had mslaid something
"Ah," said he, "my snuff box Excuse me
for moment, while fetch it from the other
room"
"Sir," said the merchant, "permit me to
excellency."
His excellency received it as if mechanically,
holding it in his hand and talking, till, pretend
ing some business, he went out, and calling an
officer, desired him to lake that snuff box to
the merchants house, asking his wife, as from
him, by that token to deliver to the bearer a
Jewel case which he had received from the
merchants wife.
Revillagigado returned to his fair complain
ant, and under The presence of showing her
some rooms in the palace, led her into one,
where, among many objects Of value, the
jewel-case stood open.
No sooner had she cast her eyes upon it than
she started forward in Joy and amazement
The viceroy requested her to wait there
little longer, and returned to his other guest
Now" said he, before going further, l
wish to hear the truth concerning another
affair in which you are interested. Are you
acquainted with the Senorale -"
Intimately, sir she is my friend"
Did you lend her eight hundred dollars at
such date 2"
81 did"
ibid she give you a case of jewels in
pledge 2"
,'NeverP' said the merchant, vehemently
"l he money was lent without any security
merely as an act OF friendships and she las
invented a story concerning some jewels
which had not the slightest foundation
In vain the viceroy begged him to reflect,
and not, by adding alsehood to treaChery,
force him to take measures of severity. The
merchant persis ted in his denial.
The viceroy lett the room suddenly, and re-
turned with the jewel case in his hand at
which, unexpected apparition the merchant
changed color, aud entirely lost his presence
OF mind.
Tie viceroy ordered him from his presence,
with a severe rebuke OF his falsehood and
treachery and am order never again to enter
the palace, AT the same time he commanded
him to send him, the next morning, eight hun.
dred dollars, with five hundred more, which he
did, and which were, by the viceroy's orders,
distributed among the hospitals. His excel,
lency gavea severe reprimand to the lady for
having made a bargain without writing.