The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-04-09
TRUCKING A RASCAL.
A Mexican Story.

"1oAico uurlhg the late days OF the OccH-
patton of Mexico by the Spanish, owing
TO some combination of circumstances.
found herself in difficulties, and in i'm
mediate want of a small sum of money
Don - being her godfather and re-
spectacle merchant, she offered him a
case OF valuable jewels as a security for
repayment, provided he would advance
her eight hundred dollars. At the end of
few months, her temporary difficulties
being ended, she went to her godfather's
house to repay the money and receive
back hei jewels. The man readily re-
ceived the money, but declared to his as
tonished god daughter that as to the Jew
els, he had never heard of them, and that
no such transaction had taken place.
The sonora, indignant at the merchants
treachery, instantly repaired to the palace
OF the vice-king, hoping for justice from
this Western Solomon, though unable to
conceive how it could be obtained.
She was instantly received by Revilla-
glgedo, who listened attentively to her
account of the circumstances.
"Had you no witnesses2" said the count.
"None," replied she.
"Did no servant pass in or out during
the transaction"
mo one"
The vicerey reflected moment.
"Does your godfather smoker"
''No, sir" said the lady, astonished at
this relevant question, and perhaps the
more so as the counts aversion to smok-
ing was SO well known that none of his
smoking subjects ventured to approach
him without having taken every precau-
ton to deaden any odor of the fragrant
weed which might Turk about their
clothes and person.
"Does he take snuff" asked the
viceroy.
eyes, your excellency," said his visitor,
who probably feared that for once his
excellency's wits were wool gathering.
THAT is sufficient" said the viceroy;
''retire into the adjoining chamber, and
keep quiet-your jewels shall be re-
stored"
His excellency then dispatched mes
senger for the merchant, who Immediate
ly presented himself.
II have sent for you," said the viceroy,
that we may talk over some matters in
which your mercantile knowledge may
be of use to the state.''
The merchant was overwhelmed with
gratitude and joy; while the viceroy en-
tered into conversation with him upon
various affairs connected with his profess
sion. Suddenly the viceroy put his hand
first in ono M ,l-of %hon @bc o<bor
the air OF man who has mislaid some
thing.
"Ah!" said he, 'my snuff-box. Excuse
me for moment while I 60 and fetch it
from the next ROOM"
"Sir," said the merchant, "permit me
to have the honor of Offering my box to
your excellency."
His excellency received it as if me-
chanically, holding it in his hand and
talking, till, pretexting some business, he
went out, and calling on an officer,
desired him to take that snuff box to the
merchants house, asking his wife, as from
him, by that token, to deliver to the
bearer case of jewels which he had there.
The viceroy returned to the apartment
where he had lett his fattered guest, and
remained in conversation with him until
the officer returned, and, requesting
private speech of the viceroy, delivered
to him a jewel case which he had re-
ceived from the merchants wife.
Revillagigedo then returned to his
fair complainant. and, uLder pretence of
showing her some rooms in the palace,
led her into one where. among many OBJ
jects of value, the jewel case stood open.
No sooner had she east her eyes upon it
than she started forward with JOY and
amazement. The viceroy requested her
to wait there little longer, and returned
to his other guest.
"Now," said he, "betore going further,
I wish to know the truth concerning an
other affair in which you are interested.
Are you acquainted with the Sener-
ultimately, sir--she is my god daugh-
ter"
ibid you lend her eight hundred dol
lars at such date?"
II did,"
"Did she give you case of jewels in
pledge?"
'Never!'' said the merchant,
~. "The money was lent without Sc
curity; merely an oct of friendship, and
she has invented story concerning some
jewels, which has not the slightest foun-
dation.'
In vain the viceroy begged him to re-
fleet. and not, by adding falsehood to
treachery, force him to take measures of
of severity. The merchant with oaths
persisted in his denial. The viceroy left
the room suddenly, and returned with
the jewel-case in his hand; at which un-
expected apparition the astonished mer-
chant changed color, and entirely lost his
presence of mind. The viceroy ordered
him from his presence, with severe re-
buke for his falsehood and his treachery,
and an order never again to enter the
palace. At the same, time helcommanded
him to send him, the next morning.. eight
hundred dollars with five hundred more;
which he did, and which were, by the
viceroy's orders, distributed among the
hospitals. His excellencY is said to have
added severe reprimand to the lady for
having made bargain without writing.