American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1866-11-14
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WClSSITUDES OF A MILLION.

At the time of our story, there was an
auction store near the Bourse.
The Viscount Robert N. de P
was % years of age, had an income of
$4,000 livres, wit, good looks, an illus
trious name, and could have made very
brilliant marriage. He ought to have
been the happiest man in the world. He
only had one regret.
He had nothing to do. He needed a
little bitter in his cup of sweets, but
Heaven refused to grant it to him. He
resolved to fly to other lands, there to
seek the fatigues, the sufsrings, and the
novelties he lacked. m ,.... .... =,
So five years ago, he entered by chance
IN auction room, just as they were put
ting ups capital portable writing desk
He was about to travel, and il was Just
what he Leeded SO he bought it for
| three hundred francs.
It probably cost more than ten times
that sum. In the interior there were
compartments for everything, and plate
bore the name of Lord N one of
the richest peers of England.
He was enchanted with his purchase,
and carried it home in triumph. Some
days after he set out for SBain. AS he
went from Madrid to Capiz he was stop
ped by thieves who completely robbed
him. The only thing he missed was his
desk. He prayed them to return it.
They refused; but their Chief, Don
Jose Maria, promised to send it after him
to Cadiz, on receipt of ransom.
Robert promised two hundred reals,
and gave the address of the hotel where
he meant to stop when at CadiE, Tie
sent the money and got the desk.
In America, in the wilds of Mexico,
his desk was carried off by Mexicans.
He thought it lest. -Four months af-
forwards he found it in shop in Vera
Cruz, and paid five hundred francs for it.
In 1852, having returned to France,
he thought of going to Baden. lie
passed the summer there, and went to
Paris, visiting Cologne and AK la Cha
peile on the way.
Arrived at the frontier, which separates
France from Belgium, he fell into the
hands Of the custom house officers
Some day before some skillful fellow
had defrauded the customs to consider
able amount; consequently the officers
were on their guard.
The search was long, and the Viscount
became furious.
"What do you fear ?" He asked sn-
grily.
ooh, sir, objects of great value can be
concealed in a small space"
Have I the air of uggler ?" he
asked.
."No; but there arc ambassadors who
smuggle without scruple"
The search continued, and the V;s
count was astonished to see the officers
open drawers in hrs desk, of the exist
ence Of which he was ignorant. AT last,
full Of impatience, he wished to reclaim
ii. smas c1j p ee5aa5.95
'aNow that you have seen all, said he,
let us not proloug this unpleasant in
.;vestigation." .1iS@e' 1899 sllk-
= "What do you sayH
ea' say that you have seen all, and
know that ] have nothing contraband."
aYour coolness, sir makes me pity
you. Have YOU nothing 10 bring forth :
If you do SO, you win be freed by paying
the dues; if not, and I find anything,
there viii be beth confscation and a
fne.p Y
But you have seen all"
"What do you mean by perhaps 2
1t is well made. Any one but my
self might have been deceived"
aBut I swear to you that you have
seen all"
aWhy deceive me' I am going to
prove the contrary"
"If you find anything else, I'll swear
! know nothing Of it,"