The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-02-22
Gpetsing State gn,irnal.
SATURDAY EvEN'G. FEB. %, 1873.
swim Justice,

swift Justice.
A merchant left st. Petersburg to trav.
ell across Europe. In the course of his
journey he arrived at Warsaw. Being
furnished with letter of introduction, be
repaired to the house of one of the chel
citizens there, and was most courteously
received. He stayed at Warsaw for a
week, and his host spared no pains to
make his visit agreeable, and showed him
everything worth seeing in the town. In
deed, the visitor was overwhelmed by an
amount of kindness rarely shown but to a
friend Of long standing.
AT last the pleasant visit drew to its
close, and after breakfast the guest ex-
pressed wish to see some poor parts of the
town, of which he had heard. "But," said
he, II have with me a box of great value
that do not like to risk in such places.
If it were my own should not be so partic-
ular; but It was intrusted to me by q
friend, who requested me to deliver it to a
person in another town. 1t contains da-
monds and other valuables. Would
you do me the great favor of taking charge
Of it for the day?o
The host, with his usual urbanity, will
ingly agreed to this proposal, and the
merchant departed with light heart on
his tour Of inspection, forget the name,
but let us say In the "Seven Dials," or
"Five 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 had never be-
fore quilted his person since he had received
it from the owner. The host and
hostess started at him in well-acted amaze
ment. "What box? ?" replied the host.
II remember no box /; do you, my dear ?'
turning to his wife. "No," she said, 81
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 persisting that it was with
the host himselfit had been left, on his
turning to his hostess and trying to make
her recollect the circumstance, both latter
appealing to each other several times, and
terrifying each other in their deniaD became
cold and distant, and began limiting that
chant to induce him to persist in so strange
a delusion. As the host touched his fore
head 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 to the
police he went and stated his case. The
official listened imperturbably to the
whole story, and then said:
You 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 are man of business But
have you no proof that the box belongs to
your"
"None whatever, except the key. 1t is
locked, and 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, swell, | will do
the only thing can for you. The Archduke
Constantine the Governor 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. I 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 Archduke, after few
minutes reflection, rang bell. An officer
appeared. "Send for M" naming the
treacherous host. It was quickly done, and
the Archduke, without preamble or ques-
ton, said to the guilty man: "Sit down at
that table, and write as | shall dictate to
you." The man took his seat and took
up the pen. The Archduke began dicta-
ting:
" My DEAR WIFE:
/" All is found out"
mo-" said the man, springing from his
seat. g 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:
/" NY DEAR WIFE:
All is found out. Send me the box
by the bearer"
Then he signed it with his own name, by
the Archduke's order, and messenger was
dispatched with it. The messenger found
the lady at her toilet; when she read the
missiye she Il turned ashy pale, trembling
violently. Then, leaning forward, she
drew the box from recess in her toilet ia
BILE, and handed it to the bearer, whs swift.
~ returning, placed it in the hands of the
Archduke. He Immediately handed it to
the merchant, desiring him to 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, de-
signaling the guilty man, Take him to
Siberia he is not to 60 to his own house
again.