The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-03-10
Swift Justice.

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travel across Europe. In the course o
his Journey he arrived Mt Warsaw. Be
ing furnished with letter OF introduc
ton, he repaired to the house Of one o
the chief citizens there, and was mos
Courteously received. He stayed a
Warsaw for week, and his host spared
no pains to make the visit agreeable,
and showed him everything worth see
ing in tho town. Indeed, tile visitor
was quite overwhelmed by an amount
of kindness rarely shown to any but O
friend Of long standing.
At length the pleasant visit drew ia
its close, and after breakfast the guest
expressed his wish to sec some poor
parts Of tho town, of which lie had
heard. "But," said he, AZ have with
me small box of great value that do
not like tS risk in such places. II il
were my own, should not be 80 par.
ticular, but il was intrusted to me by n
friend, who requested mo to deliver il
to person in another town. 1t con.
tains diamonds and other yaluables.
Would you do me the great favor Of
taking charge of it for tho day?' The
host, with his usual urbanity, willingly
agreed to this proposal, nnd the nicr.
chant departed with light heart on
his tour Of inspection, | forgot tho
name, but let us say in the "Seven
Dials, or Five Points OF Warsaw.
| Next morning, after breakfast, he
cordially thanked his kind entertainers
for their Jealous hospitality, and added
that, MS hc was about to depart, hG
would now resume his charge OF thC
box, which lad never before quilted
his presence since he had received 1t
from It's ewner. The host and hostess
stared at him in wcll.acted amazement.
"Wlat box" asked hc host. ~
remember no box-do you, my dear?"
turning to his wife.
"No," she said, / have no recollcs-
tiOn OfRny box whatever"
"What was it like ?" inquired the
host "porhaps you left it in your
room"
But on the merchant pcrsisting TINT
it was with the host himself it had been
left, OIL turning to his hostess, and try
ing to make her rGcollect the circum-
stances, both (nfter appealing to each
other several times, and fortifying each
other in their denial, became cold and
distant, and began limiting that some
thing must have. happened to tho mer-
chant, to indnce him to persist in so
strange delusion. AS tho host touch
cd lis forehead with n signiflcant
glancc, the poor man remembered that
ho was in n strange city tho ground
seemed to be slipping from under his
feet danger to himself loomed in tho
distance, and lie hastened from the
house in alarm. Straight to the police
hO went and stated his cAsc. The of
fetal listened imperturbedly to tho
whole story, aud then asked:
"You give up this valuable box to mn
acquaintance OF n weeks standing with
ont any witness or any written nc
acknowledgements"
"Ho had been so very kind n man
in his position"
"DaLl you n man of businessl but
you have no proof that the box belongs
to you?"
1t is locked, and 1 have the kcy-llcro
it is, md lie produceda small key from
his inner.pocket.
Tho official remained lost in thought
for some time, and then sail:
"Wcll, l will do the only thing | can
for you. The Archduke Constantine
tho Governor of Poland, is q stern,
harsh man, but he is known for his
rigorous justice, and il he believes your
story, he will do his best for you. l
will tnkc 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 rcaec-
ton, rang bell. An official appeared.
"Senl for NJ" naming the treach-
crous host.
1t was quickly done, and the arch
duke, without preamble or question,
said to the guilty man:
"Sit down at that writing-table, and
write as l shall dictate to you."
The man took his seat and took mp
the pen; the archduke began debating:
"My 1eas wifo--all is found out"
"No," said the man, springing from
his seat, al won't write that"
"TllCn you are guilty" was the
prompt answer.
Puzzled and foiled, hc resumed his
sent and wrote MS he was desired.
"NIy dear wife-all is found out.
Send tho box by the bearer"
Then ho signed it with his name, by
the archduke's order, and messenger
was dispatched with it. Tho mcssen-
ger found the lndy ut her toilet when
she rcal tho missiye she turned ashy
pale, trembling violently. Then lean-
ing forward, she drew tho hox from the
recess in her toilet-table, and handed it
TO tho bearer, who, swiftly returning,
placed It in the hands OF the archduke.
lie Immediately handed it to tho mer-
chant, desiring him to unlock it; that
being done, he asked whether tho din
monds were all there. Yes, the box
lad not been opened; they were exact.
" MS tho merchant had left them.
Again the archduke rang the bell,
and to the attendant who entered he
said, designating tho guilty man: