The Placer herald., 1873-01-18
SWIFT JUSTICE.

A merchant left St. Petersburgh to travel
across Europe. In the course of his journey
ha arrived at Warsaw. Being furnished
with letter of Introduction, he repaired to
the house of one of the chief citizens there,
and was most courteously received. lie
stayed at Warsaw for week, and bis host
spared no pains to make the visit agreeable,
and showed him everything worth seeing in
the town. Indeed, the visitor was quite
overwhelmed by an 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 expressed
his wish to see some poor parts of the town,
of which he had heard. "But," said he, 81
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 inrusted to me by friend, who
requested me to deliver it to person in an
other town. 1t contains diamonds and other
valuables. Would you do me the great
favor of taking charge of it for the day 2"
TIE host, with his usual urbanity, willingly
agreed to this proposal, and the merchant
departed with a light heart on his tour Of
nspection--I forgot the name, but let us say
in the "Seven Dals or "Five Points" of
Warsaw
Next morning after breakfast he cordially
thanked his kind entertainers for their zeal
Gus hospitality, and added that he was about
TO depart, he 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
| hat how
asked the host; 81 remember no box; do you,
my dear?' turning to his wife. "No," she
said, 81 have no recollection of any box
whatever" "What was it like ?" asked
the host, "perhaps you left it in your room. .
But on the merchant persising that it was
with the host himself it had been left, on his
turning to the hostess and trying to make
her recollect the circumstances both (after
appealing 10 each other in their deniaD be-
came cold and distant, and began limiting
that something must have happened to the
strange delusion As the host touched his
forehead, with significant glance, the man
remembered that he was in strange city;
the ground seemed to be slipping from under
his feet; danger to himself loomed in the dis
tance, and he FASTENED from the house III
alarm. Straight to the police he went and
stated his case The official listened imper-
turbahly 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 acknowledge
ment ?"
''IIe had been so very kind; a man in his
position"
"Bah You a man of business But have
you no proof that the box belongs to you p
"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
Constance Ohe Governor of Holland) 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 Are dukes presence,
and was desired TO relate his story. When
it was concluded the Archduke, after a few
moments reflection, rang a bell. An official
appeared; "Send for NJ" naming the
guilty host. 1t was quickly done, and the
Archduke, without preamble or question,
said to the guilty man: "St down at that
writing table and write as | shall dictate to
vou." The man .cok his seat and took up
lhe pen. The A,ehdukc began debating:
"MY DEAR WIFE:-All is found out
"No," said the man, sprnsins from his
seat, 81 won't write that.
"Then you are guilty." was the prompt
answer.
Puzzled and foiled, he resumed his seat
and wrote as he was desired.
"MY DEAR WrE:-Al is found ont.
Send the box by the bearer.
Then he signed it with his own name, by
the Archdnke's order, and messenger found
the lady at her toilet; when she read the
missive she turned ashy pale, trembling vlo
lenily. Then leaning forward, she drew the
box from recess in her toie-ta lie and
handed it to the messenger who, swiftly re-
turning, placed it in the hands Of the Arch
duke. lie Immediately handed it to the
merchant, desiring him to unlock it; that
being lone, he asked whether the diamonds
were there all there. Yes, the box had not
been open; they were exactly as the mer-
Giant had left them.
Again the Arclduke rang the bell, and to
the attendant who entered he said, pointing
to the guilty man: "Take him to Siberia; he
ia not to go to his own house again.
"------
A boy, six years old, living in Brooklyn,
having been much lectured by his father on
,ba h. h.bv;sbness of crving when any calamity