Middletown transcript., 1873-02-22
Swift Justice.

A merchant left st. Petersburg to trsv.
el across Europe In the course Of bic
journey hc arrived At Warsaw. Bsiag
furnished with letter Of introduction, b
repaired to the house Of one Of the chief
citizens there. and was most courtsously
received lie stayed at Warsaw fss .
week, and his host spared no pains 10
make the visit agreeable. and shoseL him
everything worth seeing in the town. fn-
deed. the visitor was quite overwhelmed
by an amount Of kindness rarely shown to
any but friend Of long stand ng.
At length the pleasant visit drew TO it,
close. aud after breakfast the guest ex-
pressed his wish TO SEQ some p,or parts of
the town. Of which he had heard '.Rut,"
said be. II have with me a small box Of
great value that do not like to risk IN
such places. Ii il were my own should
not be so particular; but il was intrussed
to me by a friend in another town ls
contains diamonds aud other v.luables.
Would you do me the great favor Of TAX
ing charge Of il for the day r The host.
with his usual urbani,y. willingly agreed
to this proposal, aud the merchsnt de-
parted with a hgh. heart on his tour Of
inspection. | forge, the name. but let 10
say in tho "Seven Dial-," OF Five
Points Of Warsaw.
Next morning after breakfast he cor-
daily thanked his kind entertainers for
their jealous hospitality. aud added that
as be was about TO depart. he would now
resume charge Of the box, which had
never before quilted his person since he
had received il from its owner. The host
and hostess stared at him in we'll. acted
amazement. What box r asked the
host. Il remember no box--do you,
my dear 7" turning to his wife. No."
she said, 81 have no recollection Of any
box whatever" What was il like 2"
asked the host, perhaps you left il in
your room But on the merchant pcr-
sisstiug that it was with the host himself
it had been left, on his turning to bis
hostess and trying to mako her recollcct
the circumstances, both CATER appealing
TO each other several times and for,ifyiny
each other in their dcnial) became cold
aud distant, and began hinting ihn, some
thing must have happened to the ner-
chant. TO induce him 10 persist in 80
"a bN'hsi'Hs ~ INV Ubtt tpufflru
his forehead With signli1an, glance. the
poor man remembered that he was in
sifanga city; the ground seemed Ia be
slipping from under bis f.er: danger to
himself doomed in the distance, aud bo
hnstened from the house IN alarm. Straight
10 the police he went. and stated his case.
The official listened inper,urbably to the
whole story and then asked you gaye
np 'his valuable box to an acquain,ance
ot weeks standing without any witness
Of any written neknnw wledgemeni -
lie hal been 20 very kind, a man in
his position -"
Bah yaa raan Of business But
have yon 10 proof that the box belongs TO
you!
None whatever exccp, the key. II
Is lpckcd, and have the key-herc it is
aal he produced small key from an iu-
uer pocket
Tho official remained lost in thought
for .omo time and then said: We'll. |
will de the only thing | can for you The
Arthlnke Constantine fthc Governor If
Palanl@ is stern. harsh man. but he is
known for his rigorous justice. aud il he
believes your story be will do bis best for
yaa | will take sou to him at once"
No time was lost, anl the merchant
saun found himself ia Tho Archduke's
Tre.oure, and was de.iroi to relate his
story When it was concluded. the Arch
duke, after few moments rvhcc,t,p.
rang bell. An official appeared send
f5r VI -, naming the ircachsrous host.
l. sas quickly done, and III, Archdukc.
without preamble or question. said to tho
guilty man "sit down aud write ~
>hall dictate to you The man took his
seat aud took up the pen; the Archduke
began debating:
"Ny Dear Wife: All is found out"
No, said the mau; springing from
III scat, II wont write that. =
Then you are guilty" was the promp.
answer
Pltzlel and foiei he rcrumcd h. seat,
and wrote as he 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 Archiukc'- order, and messen ger
vas dispatched with it The messenger
, found the lady at her toilet: when she
+ read the mi.sivc she turned ashy pale,
trembling violently Then leaning for.
+ ward she drew the box from the recess
Z in her toilet.tablc, hanlrd il to tho bearer,
sho swiftly returning. placed il in the
hands Of the Archdake. lie Immediately
, handed it to the merchant, desiring him
/ to unlock IL; that being done, be asked
whether the diamonds we're all there
! Yes, the box had no, been opened; they
r were exactly AS the merchant had leii
/ them.
a Again tho Archduke rang the bell, and
$ to the attendant who entered. he said
II designating the guilty man. Take his
o to Siberia; he is not to 60 to his owa
i house again.