Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1873-04-11

ing furnished with letter of introduce
ton, he repaired to the house of one Of
the chief citizens there, and was most
courteously received He stayed at War
saw a week, and his host spared no IS
to make the visit agreeable, and showed
him everything worth seeing in town -
Indeed the visitor was quite overwhelmed
by the amount of kindness rarely shown
to any but friend of long standing.
At length the pleasant visit drew to a
close, and after breakfast the guest ex-
pressed his wish to see some poor part
of the town But" said he, g" have
with me Il small box of great value that
| do not like to risk in such places. If it
was my own, should not be so particu-
lar, but it was entrusted to me by a
friend, who requested me to deliver it to
person in another town. 1t contains
diamonds and other valuabes. Would
you do me the great favor of taking charge
of it for the day? The host with his
usual urbanity, willingly agreed to this
proposal, and the merchant departed with
a light heart on his tour Of inspection. Fl
forgot the name, but let us say in the
Seven Dials or the Five Points of War
saw.
Next morning, after breakfast, he
cordially thanked his entertainers for
their Jealous hospitality, and added that
he was about to depart, and would re-
ceiye his box which had never before
quilted his presence since he had received
it from its owner The host and hostess
stared at him in well acted amazemcnt.
What box 2" asked the host, . |
remember 10 box-do you, my dear 2
turning to his wife. {" No" she said,
- have no recollection of any box
whatever" q What was it like Y asked
the host; "perhaps you left it in your
room" But on the merchant persisting
that it was with the host himself it had
been left, on turning to his hostess, and
trying to make her rccollect the circum-
stances, both (aftcr appealing to each
each other several times, and fortlfying
each other in their denials) became cold
and distant, and began to hint that some
thing must have happened to the mer-
chant, to induce him to persist in so
strange delusion. AS the host touched
his forehead with significant glance, the
poor man remembered that he was in a
strange city; the ground seemed to slip
from under his feet, danger to him
self doomed in the distance, and he hast
ened from the house in alarm. Straight
to the police he went, and stated his case.
The official listened hnpcrturbedly to the
whole story, and then asked, " You gave
up this valuable box to an acquaintance
Of week standing without any witness
or any written agreement =
" He had been 50 very kind, and-a
man in his position"
" Bah you man Of business F. But
have you no proof that the box belongs
TO YOU p
None whatever except the key. 1t
is locked and have the kcy--here it is, "
and he produced small key from an in
ner pocket.
The official remained lost in thought
for some time, and then said, /" Well |
will do the only thing | can for you
The Archduke Constantine (thc Govern
or of Poand) is a stern, harsh man, but
he is known for his rigorous justice, and
if he believes your story, he will do his
best for you | will take you to him at
once.
No time was lost, and the merchant
soon found himself in the Archduke's
presence, and was desired to relate his
story. When it was concluded, the
Archdukc, after few moments rehcc-
ton, rang bell An official appeared.
" Send for M" naming the treachcr-
Gus host. Ii was quickly done, and the
Archduke, without preamble or question
said to the guilty man, Sit down at that
writing-tablc, and write as | dictate to
you" The man took his seat and took
up the pen; the Archduke began dicta-
ting:
My dear wife--All is found out :"
"No," said the man, springing from
his seat, - | won't write that.
Then you are guilty" was the prompt
answer
Puzzled and foiled, he resumed his
scat and wrote as he was desired.
My dear wfe--all is found out
Send me the box by the bearer"
Then he signed it with his own name,
by the Archduke's order, and messen-
ger was dispatched with it. The mes
senger found the lady at her toilet; when
she read the message, she turned ashy
pale, trembling violently Then lean
ing forward she drew the box from the
recess in her toiet-table, and handed it
to the bearer, who, swiftly returning
placed it in the hands Of the Archduke,
lie Immediately handed it to merchant,
desiring him to unlock it. That being
done, he asked whether the diamonds were
all there. Yes, the box had not been
opened they were exactly as the mer-
chant had left them.
Again the Archduke rang the bell,
and to the attendant who entered he said,
designating the guilty man /: " Take
him to Siberia he is not to 90 to his
own house again"
A capital letter--onc containing re-
mittancc
Keep a good conscience, let it cost