The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-07-20

story; and the only point of doubt re-
naming was how to circumvent Don
Fernando. Whatever was done to that
laudable end had need be done at once,
before the bird had flown with his prey.
So came to a determination, and acted
upon it forthwith.
I went straightway to the magistrate,
a civil (not polite) authority, whose sal
ary prudent government had fixed at
such low figure, that to increase it by
taking bribes from the suitors to his
jurisdiction was evidently expected
of him. Perhaps it had been consid-
cred that, whatever the amount of his
remuneration, he would still have been
open to corruption, and its smallness
was due merely to praiseworthy desire
to save the public funds.
This functionary burst in upon as
he was smoking MS cigar in one of the
dirtiest rooms possible, and plunging at
once into the dirt and the matter which
brought me there, made iudicious
appeal for his interference, supported
by compliment, corruption, and intimi-
dation, the three levers by which most
readily to move the official mind.
AT length was glad to see his first
distinct refusal, to interfere between
Don Fernando and any one else whom
soever, was shaken and then piled the
assault afresh until the unfortunate man,
who had finished his smoke, and was dy-
ing to go to bed, became reduced into
such state of despair that to get rid of
me he would have pledged himself to
anything. Happily, in that uncultivated
region, the fiction, long since dissipated
in Europe, still prevailed, that one of
Her Majesty's subjects was a sacred be-
ing, whom it was highly dangerous to
treat with injustice, or even neglect. l
did not fail to work upon this idea by
drawing a vivid picture of the British
ministers power, and the reward or dis
grace he could insure to the magistrate
by requisition to the Brazilian Govern
ment. Iplaced before my hearers i'm
agination the important service he
would render by restoring an English
subject so rich prize. In my zeal, l
even ventured to hint at my own close
connection and influence with England's
representative (he expressed his hope
that 1 should amuse myself cup in the
country") before whom, l added, it would
be my instant care to lay the whole of
the circumstances.
1t is but just to record of the magis-
trate that he had at least as much of the
"legal mind as enabled him to take an
exceedingly clear and favorable view Of
that side of the case which held out the
prospect of advantage to himself. 1t
may also have occurred to him that any
1,,l I, 10
do would be cleared Off in simple and
satisfactory manner by shutting his
creditor up. When I left him, it was
with the promise that he would ac-
company me to the store very early the
following morning, and look fully into
the case.
1 did not allow him much waking
time to repent Of his promise on the
next day; but short as was the distance
to the Jews, it nearly proved too long
for the carrying out of my purpose.
The spirited officer Of Justice began to
quake in the most undignified manner
as we approached the potent Jews habi-
tation. But his alarm was causeless /;
we had not got up early enough to catch
Don Fernando, who, making his hay
carried off, now without the slightest
doubt, Pats diamond, and all the pro-
perty of his own which he could easily
move. The prize should be valuable
that made it profitable for him to
abandon utterly his store and the large
stock of goods which was left in it. No
doubt he had watched me to the guard
room over night, and, foreseeing the re-
suit, had levanted in the night.
Pat, the defrauded, was released at once.
He raved a good deal over his feasible
idea of catching up with his enemy on
foot, but the Judge, who was intensely
delighted at the event, which relieved
him at the same time of creditor and
considerable trobble, having arrived at
the conclusion, upon some principle of
equity l did not understand, that the
store and its remaining contents belong
ed equally to himself and Pat, the lat
ter entered into the notion with amaz-
ing ardor and the pair, without the delay
of a moment began their looting, in
which congenial occupation I left them
and San Isidro at the same time.
wrote out full and careful account
of the whole affair, with a close and ac-
curate description of the jew; and 1
afterwards learned that, on its coming
before member of the government, the
police of coast towns had orders to board
ships leaving the ports, and to search
narrowly any one answering my sketch.
Hearing nothing further on the subject,
l had almost Forgotten the diamond
and unlucky Pat, whom from that day
to this, / have never seen.
My mind was made up to return to
England the passage from Rio Janeiro
to Liverpool was taken; and as the
steamer sailed in the early morning, 1
went on board with my luggage over
night. When day broke / was on deck,
to have parting view of the loveliest
scene, believe, the world can show-the
Bay of Rio. 1t was beautiful morn
ing, and leaning over the side, enjoyed
to perfection the fresh cool air. The
deep blue water, gemmed with sparkling
islands, was without ripple, and a
mist clung round the surrounding
mountain-tops, concealing, yet height
ening, like the robe of beauty, their
loneliness.
AS I stood, boat containing lady
passenger came under the ships quarter,
and the mate. with sailor-like politeness,
ran down the ladder, to help her on
board. She was very handsome girl,
of the magnificent animal" order of at
traction.
"Who is the lady?" 1 asked of the
mate, who had come up again after see
ing his charge below.
"She is one of the principal dancers at