The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1873-03-28

Swift Justice.

A merchant left st. Petersburg to travel
across Europe. In the course of his jour
ney he 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
He stayed at Warsaw for week, and his
host spared no pains to make the visit
agreeable, and showed him everything
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 its
close, and after breakfast the guest express
ed his wish to see some poor parts of the
town, of which he had heard. But" said
he, II 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, who requested me to de-
liver it to 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 urbanity, willingly agreed to his
proposal and the merchant departed with
a light heart on his tour of inspection,
forgot the name, but let us say in the "Seven
Dials," or give Points of Warsaw
Next morning. after breakfast, he cordi-
ally thanked his kind entertainers for their
Jealous hospitality, and added that, as he
was about to depart, he would now resume
his charge of the box, which never before
quilted his presence since he had received
it fran its owner. The host and hostess
tor of
What box 2" asked the host. 81 re-
member no box-do you, my dear9" turn
inS to his wife.
mo-" she said, have no recollection of
any box whatever"
"What was it like 2" inquired the host ;
perhaps you left it in your ROOM"
But on the merchant persisting that it
it was with the host himself it had been
left, on turning to his hostess, and trying
to make her recollect the circumstances,
both (atter appealing to each other several
times, and fortifying each other in their
denial became cold and distant, and be-
gan limiting that something must have
happened to the merchant, to induce him
to persist in SO strange q delusion. AS the
host touched his forehead with a signiii-
cent 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 dis
lance, and he hastened from the house in
alarm Straight to the police he went and
stated his CASE The official listened i'm
perturbedly to the whole story, and then
asked:
"You gave up this valuable box to an
acquaintance of a week standing without
any witness or any written acknowledge
ment 2"
"He had been so very kind a man in his
position"
"Bah you man of business! but you
have no proof that the box belongs to your
"None whatever except the key. IT. is
and he produced small key from his in
ner-pocket.
The official remained lost in thought for
some time, and then said:
"Well, 1 will do the only thing can for
you. The Archduke Constantine-th Gov
enor Of Poland, is stern, harsh man,
but he is known for his rigorous justice,
and fine believes your story, he will do
his best for you. l will take you to him
at once.n
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 archduke, after few
moments reflection, rang bell. An official
appeared.
"Send for NJ" naming the trcachcr-
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 dictating
"My dear wife-all is found out"
mo" said the man, springing from his
seat, II won't write that"
"Then you arc guilty" was the prompt
answer.
Puzzled and foiled, he resumed his scat
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 name, by the
archdukc's order, and n messenger was dis