The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1861-03-22
A LEARNED JUDGE.

AHihA1AtAD OCDuLls
One OF the first mummies brought into Europe
from ne East gave rise to a most dramatic ad-
venture. about hundred years ago, during
the reign OF his immaculate majesty Louis XIV.
OF france, an antlquary returned from Grand
Cano, brought mummy with hin. pI esumed TO
De at least three thousand six hundred wears old.
Our savant, tired of the diIigenees 10 which
he had been travelling from Marsarlps, took a
barge at FontaiHbleau, which landed him safe
and sound at Poft St. Bernard. Eager 10 see
his family, he had his effects loaded d on litter.
but left his precious mummy in the bottom OF
boat. The custom house officer, on boarding it
discovered box of strange shape and aspect
SospeclIng /: 10 contain confa5and goods, he
had 1t opened. What spectacle. woman
Swahed IN lnen band4gAs from head 10 foot
NO doubt tins was wrelched victim stIanglrd
by JEALOUS lover or graSpng helr The com
In'ssarv OF police was Instantly sent for, aud
made ms appearance, fanked by iwn surgeons
as sEIliul as himseIfin archaeology. The crime
was recognized, report made OF it, and the
body transported TO the Morgue, that the friends
might come and identity it. 1t is presumed
that none OF them made their appearance. Our
learned Traveller, however, in taking an nven-
tory of his effects the next day, bethought hum
sell OF hls greatest curiosity. He flew 10 the
boat, when tbe learned commissary and three
mlnions oi the law seized him and dragged him
before the magistrate.
Aha my fine fellow, cried the Judge, we've
got YOU.
Hll your honor favor me with the reason Of
this extraordinary proceeding
1t remalns for YOU, sir, TO explain the cream
stances OF The murder, YOU have commit
ted.
Murder
That Is the word, sir.
The murder that have committed cried the
savant, aghaSt.
Or at least the crime IN which you were an
accompIce.
Good heavens Your worship is dream
ing.
Abs,xI'm 'm;dreaning, ami! No SIT; you will
Ind me awake, TO your cost The eye of JUS
uc~hevrr closes. Did not my vigiIant officer
discover he body of your yic;im slrangIed and
SHUT up ia box Here's the report of The
discovery, duly Sraed, signed and arested
Is That all said the antiquary with hearty
laugh.
Hardened Tuffian cried the Judge Do Won
indulge Ievity with the shadow of crime so
black hanging over your head Now sir, look
me in the face, aud answer the questions shall
Fnt. BY whom was the youdg girl placed in
the box in which she was discovered
BF myself sir.
MIR. Clerk, please take down his confession,
said the magistrate. Who swathed her with
linen hania2es from head 10 foot
did your honor
Wnle down Mr.. Clerk, that he admits his
crime.
The expression IS rather strong.
The deed is henous. How old was the
girl
About nineteen years.
Memphis, think.
Fancy importing girl snch distance to
murder her! When did her death take place
About three thousand six hundred years
ago.
Prisoner how dare you Indulge in this mis-
placed leviy?
l am not joking sir. / assure you the de-
ceased lived 10 the reign of one of The Pha-
rohs
I'll put handouts on you.
Your honor, sand the prisoner sternIy, this
pleasantly has been carried too far. And let
me say, SIT. that you are the Tost marvelouSIv
ignorant man that ever sat upon the judicial
bench. Where were you brought up, that YOU
haven't even suspected that for two days ~yon
have been holding an inquest on the pretended
murder of an egyptian mummy?
A mImmy
OF course sir and if you bad conducted your
examination properly, you would know that
you are addressing Court de d -. mera-
ber OF The Academy OF Inscriptions and Bellies
Lettres.
My lord, said the judge, beg thousand
paTdons. hope your lordshrp will forget
will forget everything. Give M my
mummy, and Try IN future 10 obtain experts who
will come little nearer than three or four
thousand years in guessing at the date Of per-
sons death.