Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-03-01
SWIFT JUSTICE.

travel across Europe. In the course OF
his journey he arrived at Warsaw. Be
ing furnished with letter OF introduc-
tion, he repaired TO the house Of one Of
the chief citizens there, and was most
courteously received. He siaid at War
saw for a week, and his host spared no
pains TO make the visit agreeable, aud
showed him everything worth seeing in
the town. Indeed, the visitor was quite
overwhelmed by an amount Of kindness
rarely shown to any one but friend Of
long standing. n.lD
AT length the pleasant visit drew TO its
close, and after breakfast the guest ex-
pressed his wish to see some poor parts
of the town, of which he had heard.
"But," said he, ~ have with me small
box Of great value that | do not like to
risk in such places. If it were my own
! should not be so particular; but it was
intrusted to me by friend, wbo re-
quested me to deliver il to a person in
another town. 1t contains diamonds and
other valuables. Would you do me the
great favor Of taking charge Of it for the
day.? The host, with his usual urban
ity, willingly agreed to the proposal, and
the merchant departed with light heart
on his tour OF inspection-l forget the
name, but let us say in the Seven
Dials, or Five Points " Of Warsaw.
Next morning after breakfast he cor
daily thanked hiskind entertainers for
their jealous hospitality, and added that
as he was about to depart, be would now
resume his charge of the box, which had
never before Quilted his person since he
had received it from its owner. The
host and hostess stared at him lin well
acted amazement "What boxY asked
the host. II remember no box, do you,
my dear2" turning to his wife. No"
she said, 81 have no recollection Of any
box whatever" "What was it likeY
asked the host; perhaps you left it in
your ROOM" But on the merchant in
sisting that it was with the host himself
it had been left, on his turning to his
hostess and trying to make her recollect
the circumstance, both latter appealing
to each other several times, and fortify-
ing each other in their denial), became
cold and distant, and began hinting that
something must have happened to the
merchant, to induce him to persist in so
strange delusion. AS the host touched
his forehead with significant glance,
the poor man remembered he was in q
strange city; the ground seemed to be
slipping from under his feet; danger to
himself doomed in the distance, and he
hastened from the house in alarm.
Straight to the police he went and stated
his case. The official listened impertur-
badly to the whsle story, and then asked
lyon gave up this valuable box TO an
acquaintance of a weeks standing,
without any witness or any written ac-
knowledgmentY ~
He had been SO very kind, "a man in
his position
Bah you man Of business But
have you no proof that the box belongs
to youT :,
None whatever, except the key. 1t
is locked, and / have the key; here it
is, and he produced small key from
an inner 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 (the Gov
ernor of Poland is stern, harsh man,
but he is known for his rigorous JUS
t;ee, and if he believes your story he
will do bis best for you. will take you
to him at once"
No time was lost; and the merchant
soon found himself in the archduke'
presence, and was desired to relate his
story. When it was concluded, the
archduke, after few moments refec-
tIon, rang bell. An official appeared.
"Send for M" naming the treaoh-
erous host. 1t was quickly done, and
the archduke, without preamble or ques
ton, said to the guilty man, Sit down
at that writing table and write as ! shall
dictate to you" The man took his seat
and took up the pcni the archduke began
debating:
"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 promp'
answer. .
Puzsled and foiIed, he resumed his
pen and wrote as ho was desired
my dear wife: All is found out. Send
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 missive she turned
ashy pale, trembling violently. Then
leaning forward, she drew the box from
the recess in her toilet table, and handed
it to the bearer, who swiftly returning
placed it in the hands of the archduke.
! lie Immediately handed it to the mer.
chant, desiring him to unlock it; that
being done, he asked whether the dia.
monds were all there. Yes, the box had
not been opened; they were exactly as
;he merchant had left them.
Aga;a the archduke rang the bell, and
TO the attendant Who entered, he sad
designating the gpilty'uan, Take hn
TO Siberia; he is not TO 90 to his Owl
1 4 ~