The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1872-12-26

Swift Justice.
A merchant left Petersburg to tray-
ell across Europe. In the course OF
his Journey he arrived at wa. ssw.
Being furnished with letter Of intro
duction, lie repaired TO the house Of
one of the chief citizens there, and
was most eourtcously received. He
stayed az Warsaw for week, and
his host spared no pains to make the
visit agreeable, and showed him eve
rytbiDg worth seeing iii the town. In
deed, the visitor Was quite over
whelnsed By an amount oi kindness
rarely shown TO any but friend of
long standing.
Atleugth the pleasant visit drew TO
its close. and after breakfast the guest
expresses his wish TO see some poor
parts OF the town, OF which he had
heard. sBnt,7 said be, Il have with
me q small box of great value that
] do not like to risk il such places.
If it were my own | should not be so
particular, but il was intrusted me 20
deliver 10 person in another town.
1t contains diamonds and other yalu
ables. Would you do me the great
favor OF taking charge OF it for the
day? The host, with his usual urban
ity, willingly agreed 10 this proposal,
and the merchant departed with a
light heart onh his tour OF Inspection, 1
forgot the name, but let us say the
ssSeven Dials,y or Five Points, of
Warsaw.
Next morning after breakfast he
cordially thanked his entertainers for
their Jealous hospitality, and added,
that as ne was about 10 depart, he
would now resume his charge OF the
box, which had never before quilted 1
his person since he had received it
from its owner. The host and hostess
stared at him in we'll acted aihaze-
ment. ..What box ?" asked the host.
II remember no box-do you, my
dear p to his wife. No." she saia,
II have no recollection >of any box
whatever" WHIST was it like :" ask
ed the host .perhaps you left it in
your room." But on the merchant
persisting that it WAS with the hose
himself it had been left, on his
ingto bis turning 10 his hostess and
trying to make her recollect the cir
cumstance, both (aiter appealing TO
each other several times and fortifs-
ing each other III their denia1) became
cold and distant and began hiliting
that something must haYe happened |
TO the merchant, 10 induce him TO
persist in so strange delnsion. As
the host touched his forehead with
significant glance, the poor man re-
nembered that he was in a strange
city the ground seemed to be slip
ping from under his feet; danger TO
himself seeming to loom in The dis
tan1e, and he hastened from the house
in a. Sft.af ftrl1 n hn ho
went, and stated his case. The official
listened imperturably to the whole
story, and then asked:
.You gave up this valuable box to
an acquaintance of weeks standing
without any witness or any written
Acknowledgements
..Hc had been so very kind man
in his positionv
"Bah you man of business! But
have yon no proof that the box be-
longs to you ?"
ssNone whateyer-except the key.
1t is locked and have the key-here
it s." and he produced a small key
from an inner pocket.
The official seemed lost in thought
for some time, and theRsaid, "WeI, j
will do the only thing I can for you.
The Archduke Constantine the Gov
ernof of Poiand) is q stern, harsh man,
but he is known for his rigorous JUS
tice, and If he believes your story be
will do his best for YOU. l will take
you to him at once"
No time was lost, and the merchant
soon found himself in the alchduke's
presence, and was desired to relate
his story. Whea it was concluded,
the Archduke, after few moments
reflection. rang bell. An official ap-
peared. s.Send for M naming
the treacherous host. Ii was quickly
done, and the Archduke without pre-
amble or question, said to the guilty
man; "Sit down at the writing table
and write as shall dictate you.n The
man took his seat and took up the
pen; the Archduke began debating.
sMY DEAR WIFE:
sAll is found Out
NO." saidthe man, spriaging from
his seat, Il WON'T write that.
ssThen you are guilty. was the
proRpt answer.
Puzzled and foiled, he resumed his
seat and wrote as he was desired.
my DEAR VIE:
.sAll is found out. Send the box
by the bearer"
Then he signed 1T with his own
name. by the Archduke's order, and
messenger was dispatched with it.
The messenger found the lady at her
toilet; when she read the missive she
turned ashy pale, trembling violently.
Then leaning forward, she drew the
box from "a recess in her toilet table,
and handed it to the bearer, who,
swiftly returning, placed it in the
hands of the Archduke. He immedi-
ately handed il to the merchant, de-
string him to unlock it; that being
done, he asked whether the diamonds
were all there. Y es, tho box had not
been opened, they were exactly as the
merchant had left them.
Again the Arehduke rang the bell.#
and 10 the attendant who entered, he
said designating the guilty man,
"Take him to Siberia : be is not TO so
TO his own house again"
Leap year is drawing TO close.
Young ladies had better look well be-
fore e,they take to the fatal trapeze.