The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1874-09-19
The Boo Of Diamonds.

Amerchant left st. Peters burg To ira vel across
Europe. In the course of his journey lie arriv-
ed at Warsaw. Being furnished letter
Of introduction, he repaired to the house OF one
| OF the chief citizens there, and was most cour
teously received. He stayed at Warsaw for
week, and MS host spared no pains to make the
visit agreeable, and showed hun everything
worth seeing IN the town. Indeed the visitor
was quite overwhelmed by an amount of kind
ness rarely shown to any but friend of long
standing.
At length the pleasant visit drow to 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 Ike to risk IN such places. II it were my
own should not be so particular, but it was en-
trusted to me by friend, requesting me to de-
liver 1T 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 this proposal, and the merchant de
parted with light heart on his tour of insp pee
ton to- forgot the name, but let US say the
"Seven Dials," or the olive Points of Warsaw.
Next morning, after breakfast, he cordially
thanked his kind entertainers for their Jealous
osptalIty, and added that, as he was about to
depart, he would now resume his charge of the
box, which had never before quilted his pres
ence since he had received it from its owner
The host and hostess stared at him in we'll
acted amazcment
"What box ?" asked the host al remember
no box do you, my dear?" turning to his wife.
"No," she said, al have no recollection of any
box whatever"
"What was it lke?" 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 turn
ing to his hostess, and trying to make her reco-
lect the circumstances, both latter appealing
to each other several times, la their aanial) be
came cold and distant, and began limiting t5et
| something must have happened to the merchant
to induce him to persist in so strange delu-
sion AS the host touched his forehead with
significant glance, the poor man remembered
that he was i'll a strange city, the ground seem
ed to be slipping from under his feet; danger
to himself doomed up in the distance, and he
FASTENED from IT, house in alarm. Straight to
tne ponce went, and eteted hls
The officer listened imperturbably to the
whole story, and then said, "You gave up this
valuable box to an acquaintance OF q weeks
acknowledgement"
Gle had been so very kind; man in his
position"
"Bah you a man of business! But you have
| no proof that the box belongs to your"
"None whatever-exceptt the key. It's lock-
ed, and have the key here it is" and he pro-
duced small key from his inner pocket.
The official remained lost in thought for some
time and then said, "Well, 1 will do the only
thing 1 can for you. The Archduke Constan
tine, 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. 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
a few moments reflection, rang bell. An
official appeared.
"Send for NJ" naming the treacherous host
1t was quickly done, and the Archduke, with
out 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 up the pen
the Archduke began debating, "My dear wife,
all is found out"
NO." said the man, springing from his seat,
81 won't write that"
"Then you are guilty" was the prompt an
swer.
Puzzled and foled, he resumed his scat, and
wrote as was desired.
"My dear wife, all is found out. Send the
box by the bearer"
Then he signed it with his name, by the Arch
dukes order, and the messenger was despatch
ed with it.
The messenger 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 tho recess in her toilet
table, and handed it to the bearer, who swiftly
returning, placed it in the hands of the Arch
duke. He immed lately handed it to the mer-
chant, desiring him to unlock it that being
done, he asked whether the diamonds were all
there. Yes, the box had not been orened =
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 be is not to
go to his home again"