The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1873-03-25
Swift Justice.

travel across Europe. In the course of
his journey he arrived at Warsaw. Be
ing furnished with letter of introduc-
ton, he repaired to the house Of one of
We chief citizens there, ard was most
courteously received. He stayed at
Warsaw for week, and his host spared
no pains to make the visit agreeable,
and showed him every thing worth see
ing in the town. Indeed. the visitor
was quite overwhelmed by an amount
of kindness rarely shown to any but a
friend of long standing.
At length the pleasant visit drew ta
| its 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 intrusted TO me by friend,
who requested me to deliver it to per-
son in another town. 1t contains dia-
monds and other valuables. Would
you do me the great favor of taking
charge of it for the dayP' The hest,
with his usual urbanity, willingly agreed
to this proposal, and the merchant de-
parted with light heart on his tour of
inspection, l forgot the name, but let us
say in the t'Seven Dials," or "Five
Points," of Warsaw.
Next morning, after breakfast, lie
cordially 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 had never before quilted his
presence since he had received il from
its owner. The host and hostess stared
at him in well-acted amazement, "What
box ?" asked the host. 81 rememberino
box-do you, my dear?' turning to his
wife. "No," she said; Il have no re-
collection of any box whatever" "What
was it like y inquired the host; "per-
haps you left it in your room" But on
the merchant persisting that it was with
the host himself it had been left, on
turning to his hostess, ard trying to
make her recollect the circumstance,
both latter appealing to each other sew.
eral times, and fortifying each other in
their denial) became cold and distant,
and began limiting that something must
have happened TO the merchant, to iu-
duce him to persist in so strange de-
lusion. As the host touched his fore
head with significant glance, the poor
man remembered that he was in a
strange city; the ground seemed to be
slipping from under his feet: danger to
himself looned in the distance, and he
fastened from the house in alarm
Straight to the police he went and sta
ted 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 weeks standing
without any witness or written acknowl-
edgement2"
"He had been SO very kind, man in
his position"
"Bah! you a man of business! But
have You no proof that the box belongs
to you W
'.None whatever-except the key. II
is locked and I 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 I can for YOU
The Archduke Constantine 1.-THE Gov
ernor of Poland is 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 Archduke's S
presence and was desired to relate his
story. When it was concluded, the
Archduke, after few moments rehec-
ton, rang bell. An official appeared.
"Send for NJ" ]" naming the treach-
erous 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 Arch
duke began debating.
"My dear wife-all is found out
NO." said the man, springing from
his seat, II 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 wife-All is found out
Send the box by the bearer
Then he signed it with his own name,
by the Archduke's order, and a messen.
ger was dispatched with it. The mes
senger found the lady at her toilet !;
when she read the missive she turned
ashy pale, trembling violently. Then
leaning forward she drew the box from
the recess in her toilet table,an handed
| it TO the bearer, who swiftly returning,
placed it in the hands.o the Archduke
He immediately handed it to the mer-
chant, desiring him 10 unlock it; that
being done, he asked whether the dia-
monds were all there. Yes, the box
had not been opened they were exactly
as the merchant had left them
Again the Archduke rang the bell,
and to the attendant who entered he
said, designating the guilty man, "take
him to Siberia; he is not to 60 to his
own home again."
A Hint 10 the wounded.
AnroDoeo 70 tl,o H,o1;+ NT.L;lo, 49,.