Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-01-02
Swift Justice.

4 MERCHANT left st. Petersburg to travel
across Europe. In the course Of his
Journey he arrived at Warsaw. Being
furnished with q letter Of introduction,
he repaired to the house of one of the
chief citizens there, and was most court
e0uslv received He stayed at Warsaw
for week, and his host spared no pains
to make the visit agreeable, and showed
him everything worth seeing in the town.
Indeed, the visitor was quite over
whelmed by an amount Of kindness rare
ly shown to any but a friend of long
standing
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, or which he had heard
But" said he, Il have with me small
box of great value that I do not like to
risk in such places. II it were my own
| should not be so particular; but it was
intrusted to me by a friend, who request
ed me to deliver it to a person in another
town. 1t contains diamonds and other
valuables Would you do me the great
favor of taking charge Of it tor the day
The host, with his usual urbanity, will
ingly agreed to this proposal, and the
merchant departed with light heart Oh
his tour Of inspection, forget the name,
Give Points," Of Warsaw.
Next morning after breakfast he cor
daily thanked his kind entertainers for
their Jealous hospitality, and added, that
as lhe was about to depart, he would now
resume his charge Of the box, which had
never before quilted his pelson since he
had received it from its owner. The
host and hostess stared at him in we'll
acted amazement. "What boX?" asked
the host. II remember no box-do You,
my dear?" turning to his wife. "No,"
she said, II 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 per
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 (after appealing
to each other several times, and f0rtify-
ing each other in their deniaD became
cold and distant, and began limiting that
something must have happened to the
merchant, to induce him to persist in so
strange n delusiOn. AS the host touched
his forehead with significant glance,
the poor man remembered that he was in
strange city; the ground seemed to be
slipping from under his feet; danger to
himself doomed in the distance, and he
fastened from the house in alarm.
Straight 10 the police he went, and stated
his case. The official listened imperturb-
ably to the whole story, and then asked:
" 1ou gave up this valuable box to an
acquaintance of a weeks standing with
out any witness or any written acknowl-
edgment?'
He had been so very kind; a man in
his position"
Bah! You man of busnessi But
have you no proof that the box belongs to
you?'
None whatever-exceot the KEY. It
is locked, and | have the key-here il is, ~
and he produced small key from an in
ner pocket
The official remained lost in thought
Tor some time, and then said, "Well,
Vii do the only thing can for you The
Archduke Constantine (the Governor of
Poland) is a stern, harsh man, but he is
Known for his rigorous justice, and if
ne believes your story he will do his
best Tor 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 Arch
duke, after few moments reflection,
rang q bell. An official appeared.
Send for NJ" naming the treacher-
Gus host. 1t was quickly done, and the
Archduke, without preamble or question,
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 pen; the Archduke began
debating:
Ny DEAR WIFE:
All is found out"
No." said the man, springing from
MS seat, q | won't write that"
Then you are guilty" was the prompt
answer.
Iuzzlcd and foiled, he resumed his seat
and wrote as he was desired.
My DEAR WIFE:
All is found out. Send the box by
the bearer"