The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-03-07


Impossible, monseigneur," said the
jeweler: 81 have only six of this pattern
in stock. STILL" he added, after a mo-
ment's reflection, 81 might perhaps be
able to manage it. May ask how soon
your highness intends leaving Paris?"
''In fortnight from today"
"That will be quite sufficient. The six
snuff boxes shall be distributed immedi-
ately. In a few days six more will be
ready, and think can promise the re-
naming five before the time fixed for
vusr highness' departure"
On the following day the six boxes,
each accompanied by a supplementary
letter, written by NORM and signed by
the pasha, were duly transmitted to the
privileged individuals heading the list
Toward the end of the week the jeweler
reappeared according to promise with a
second installment of another half dozen,
which were also forwarded to their des-
tination; and before the fortnight had
expired five more snuff boxes were in his
highness' possession.
The pasha expressed himself perfectly
satisfied with the prompt execution of
his order. sit is evident" he said, "tSiat
the recipients of my gifts are highly
pleased, for I have received the most
flattcring letters from all of them except
one."
Except one, did your highness sayY
anxiously inquired Dorr.
"Yes. My secretary informs me that
one of the gentleuen at whose house my
present was left is absent from Paris,
which accounts for his silence, and that
he is not expected back until Sunday, the
day after my intended departure. But, :"
continued the pasha, show is this, NJ
Dorr? You have brought me only five
boxes. Where is the sixth? 1t is abso-
lutely essential that no one ON my list
should be neglected ..
"Your highness may rest assured that
your orders will be implicitly obeyed,' >
replied the jeweler. eff NJ. NORM will
kindly acquaint me with the name and
address of the person for whom the box
is destined it shall he delivered to him
Wednesday without fall
Exactly similar to those, of course?"
Il can safely guarantee, monseigneur,
that there will not be q shade of differ
ence between them"
VERY good,' said the pasha; 81 rely
On your punctuality. My secretary will
pay you the $4,000 francs, and on my
next visit to Paris you will probably
hear from me again. Au revoir, NJ.
Dorr."
If any one endowed with the peculiar
faculties of Asmodeus had penetrated
some ten evenings later into the small
room forming the back shop and private
sanctum of the well known jeweler of
the Rue de Ia Paix he would have been
enlightened as to certain supplementary
adjuncts to the ordinary business carried
on by NJ. Dorr. He would have seen
that estimable tradesman seated at a
table on which were lying six gold snuff
boxes bearing suspicious resemblance
to those recently purchased by his high
ness the pasha, and carefully polishing
each in turn with silk handkerchief.
''They all come back to me again,
every one of them," muttered NJ Dorr,
with self satisfied chuckle, while deli
cately removing a speck of dust from
the last of the half dozen. ''No one ever
keeps them long, for snuff boxes are
locked up capital, and everybody, from
Napoleon downward, knows the value of
ready money. They discover my name
inside the box and naturally bring it to
me, and, as treat them literally, am
safe to see them again. A very fair
fortnight's work, must say" he added,
consulting an open account book, in
which the following statement was leg
IDLY inscribed:
To sale of eighteen gold snuff boxes
at 1000 francs EACH. ............ 10000
Deduct from above commission to
secretary (''Sharp fellow, that, by
the way" parenthetically solilo-
quized NJ. Dorr) at so francs per box 800
To repurchase of eighteen gold snuff
boxes from their owners at 1000
francs each. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. $1,000
$50, 900
Total net profit ............ 85,1OC
''Not to MENTION" pleasantly summed
up the jeweler, THAT the snuff boxes
are ready for a second edition of the lit
tie game whenever another pasha hap
pens to come this way."-Charles Her
vey in The Argosy.