Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1870-10-21
The Chest of Silver.

SOME years ego the pulpit of st. Peters,
one of the principal German churches in
st. Petersburg, was filled by Pastor Her
man, who, ike most Of the preachers of
that wealthy sect, had amassed con-
siderable fortune, and was much esteemed
and beloved by his congregation. Not q
day passed without numerous applica-
tions to him for assistance of various
kinds, and none were sent away without
word of consolation or more substan-
tial gift.
One day, as he was compelled by in.
disposition to keep his room, o woman
came in and craved his interference. She
had lately removed to st. Petersburg with
her husband, who was a goldsmith, and
who had succeeded in establishing him
self so well that he earned an ample sup
port for both of them but he made her
wretched by his persistent and outrageous
ill-treatment, without the slightest provo
cation or retort on her part, all Of which
she had until now patiently endured.
The pastor expressed his regret that
indisposition prevented him from leaving
the house:
"Bring your husband to me-" said he
eThat will be no easy matter" returned
the woman ''for if he suspects that re-
buke is in waiting for him he will not
come. No; he must know nothing of it
beforehand. But If l tell him that you
wish to buy something from him, he'll
not fail to wait on your reverence"
"That is q lucky thought" aaid the pas
tor, "for I am about to purchase a COM
plete tea-seryice of silver"
Sand he has just finished very beau
tiful one" exclaimed the woman.
The next day the goldsmith came with
his chest, accompanied by the woman.
The pastor was secretly surprised to
see her with him, but advanced to meet
him, saying:
"Ah! the silver tea-set ?"
sYes, your reverence, | have brought
the service, as you desired"
every well" said the pastor. "Be so
good as TO- come with me into ray study"
When they were alone. the good clergy
man began 10 speak urgently on the duty
of husband, and dwelt with Impressive
eloquence upon the sacredness Of the VOW
q, which marrled partners make before the
altar to each other.
His listener seemed very much aston
ished, and several times attempted to in.
terrupt his discourse; but pastor Herman
begged him to hear him to the end.
"What excuse can you make for your
dSlASO lE, III COAGlUeIOAs w AAp
is the cause of it? You look SO mild and
good-tempered, my friend. How comes
It that you are such bad husbandr
,,,t 81 know what you mean to say. You
are usually as meek as lamb, and only
impetuous at certain times; but to go SO
far as to beat your wife?"
, "You have mistaken the person, rev.
erend sir; have never beaten my
wife"
Chow? Do you deny it? Fier'
Because" continued the man, " am
not married"
"Why, your wife is at this moment
waiting in the next room"
s"Why? My wife? Your reverence il
mistaken; I have no wife, That woman
is your own housekeeper; she came to
me with commission from you to bring
service of silver for your inspection"
The pastor began to LOOK uneasy.
"She must be a mad woman" said he
cor thief" said the goldsmith.
They went hastily into the next room :.
but it was emptyl The woman had dis
appeared with the chest of silver, and all
the efforts Of the police to recover it were
: The trick was so well devised and
planned that it would have succeeded
with the most prudent and circumspect
The goldsmith left the silver in the outer
room in charge of the supposed house
keeper at the express desire of the pastor
while the latter confided it to the keepins
of the supposed wife of the former. Hat
the latter been brought into litigation
whose would have been the loss? Un
fortunately the pastor had no thought Q
such an alternative. He felt compassion
q for the poor man, who gained precariou
living by his labor and as he, on the con
trary, was rich enough to bear the injury
he bore it alone.