The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1882-09-02
4 Curlous SNUFF Box.

Shortly after the breaking out of the
French revolution, its advocates de-
nounced our Premier as IAN enemy to
the human race'-that man, $50 easy to
live with, who sung the song about him.
self, called, BILLY Pitt, the Tory" His
secretary one day told him that for
eigner, who spoke English tolerably
well, had twice or thrice asked to see
him, but not looking like proper ap-
plicant, had been sent away, the great
mans time being too precious for him to
admit every stranger who. on frivolous
pretexts, might seek to crafty an idle
curiosity. This person, however, had
said he should return in an hour; the
secretary, therefore. thought it his duty
to inform Mr.. Pitt of such intention,
and asked his further orders in the
affair.
Have the goodness, said the minis
ter, ito open the top left hand drawer in
that cabinet. and bring me its contents. !"
These were pair of pistols and a
morocco case; opening the latter he pro-
duced snuff box. in which was set a por-
trait.
rs that like our visitor9" asked Pitt.
1T is the man, sir, answered the sec
retary.
"Ha, have expected him for some
days; he is sent over to asssssinate me !;
SO, when he calls again let him be shown
up
''Sirp' exclaimed the attached re-
tainer. twill You expose to danger your
life on which so much depends?"
"There will be no danger, I thank
you; but you may be within call, if you
please"
Accordingly the Frenchman, on his
return, was ushered into the room
where William Pitt sat alone-a loaded
pistol In one hand. the miniature IN the
other.
Monsieur Mehee de la Touche," said
Pitt, calmly, syou see am in every way
prepared for you, thanks to an agent
employed by this government. Attempt
my life and your own instantly pays the
forfeit. In any case, I shall have you
secured and given over to the law"
The intended assassin stood paralyzed
and dumb at this cool reception.
"But," continued Pitt, there is
another acknowledgement safety and
high rewards are in your power. Sell
your services to Great Britain; make
your market of whatever secret informa-
ton you can procure that may guard us
against the Vaccinations of yoar coun-
try; be, in fact, one of the necessary
evils which policy forces us to use in
desperate cases; do what no honorable
man could do to save yourself from
speedy death. Your conscience is
stained by proposed murder; comply,
perchance, with these conditions and you
shall be as literally paid as you must,
by all parties, be justly despised."
The clever miscreant ioyfully accepted
these terms, and for many years earned
the bribes of spy Chambers Journal.
PAUL's PRAyER.-A lady at Greenfield
had company for tea afew evenings since.
on which occasion her two little boys
were invited to await the chances of the
second table, in which arrangement they
readily acquieseed. But the visitors,
belonging to the order q. Z. S. G.
fingered over the ruins of shortcake and
pot-cheese, to indulge in an entertaining
and somewhat protracted feast of reason,
etc., and the evening shadows had begun
to thicken when member of the house
hold discovered the elder of the boys iit
was his seventh birthday crouched upon
the doorstep outside, nursing the rem
nant of his patience. and asked him:
.Where is PauI?" With deep drawn
sigh the lad responded: 81 don't know !;
I s'pose he's somewhere prayin the Lord
for his supper.