The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-02-21

IMI few years ago. there was
HI found among his papers a
large sealed envelope. upon
which was written In his own
hand; The enclosed paper | wish
my relatives TO cause TO be published
in the Berlingske Tidende. or what.
ever paper shall at this time be the
official organ OF the Danish govern
ment.
The paper, which, as far as ! know,
has not yet been published In the
Berlingske Tidende. read thus:
For tho purpose OF enlightening our
courts OF law. lawmakers and moral
lists, /. Mayor Hoist. wish TO confess a
theft which | committed when | was
40 years old. just one year after his
majesty had made ME mayor OF the
city where | only short time ago,
celebrated my twenty-Afth anniversary
as its Official head.
The governor OF the province. the
Late chamberlain. Lille. had given a
stag dinner. and after the coffee. the
chamberlain, Baron Ooernehjelm, the
commissioner OF health, Colbein, and
/ sat down TO play game OF whist.
We were all in excellent humor. hav-
ing consumed considerable wine at the
table, and cordials and brandy after
ward. During the game. we further
eral hot brandies, and after awhile
the baron became quite Intoxicated,
and as usual, more laxative. Today
he was very proud OF the way In which
he had proven himself an exceedingly
smart horse dealer, and he laughingly
told us how he had sold pair Of
old nags to a minister on his estate,
for at least 200 crowns more than
their value. To illustrate this tale,
he produced well-filled wallet, and
triumphantly showed us the roll OF
bills he had got from the poor minis
ter
Just now the baron was putting a
fat Havana cigar and was playing his
cards like fool
was comparatively sober. although
had been drinking quite a little,
and my brain was absolutely clear, 80
that l knew exactly what ! said and
did
1t was my turn to deal. and as l
pushed my chair back a little from
the table, discovered accidentally a
hundred crown bill on the floor I'M
derneath the table. l did not doubt
that the baron must have dropped 1t,
when he showed us the contents OF his
wallet.
Now, struggle began within me.
was on the point OF picking up tho
bill and giving II to its owner, when
was suddenly seized with an ire
sistible desire TO put II into my own
pocket. had at that time nothing
but my salary as mayor, which was
just enough to enable me to live com
paratively comfortable as a bachelor,
though | had TO figure very close not
to run In debt. l had, besides. some
debt from the time when l studied
law, and 100 crowns meant quite lit
tie to me. Just then l thought that
IL took the bill. it would come III
very handy to pay for a new over
coat, which / needed rather badly,
and besides I felt strange desire to
experience the feeling OF being sue
cessful thief.
1t did not take me but moment
to plan a way to pocket the bill with
out attracting attention.
Before starting to deal, / took
fresh cigar. cut off the point, and as II
by accident. dropped my pocket knife
on the floor, making 1t fall close To
the bill. Mumbling something be-
tween my teeth, bent down, and In
picking up the knife, put the Dill
into my right shoe.
1t only took moment. and as IL
nothing had happened, lit my cigar,
dealt the cards and the play contin-
ued for some time.
AT last, the moment came when
we were TO settle. The baron had iost
between 20 and 80 crowns, and he
took out his wallet to pay, displaying
his While wealth OF bills on the
table.
ut looks as II our friend. the baron.
was a millionaire" / said with
smile. TOO bad we did not make
him lose little more than that tribe.
Just then I raised my glass and asked
the surgeon to give my best regards
to his wife. was still holding the
glass in front of my lips when heard
the baron exclaim: How strange,
am 100 crowns short"
Calmly emptying my glass, ] SAID:
II am sure. baron, you have bceh
tluffing little. Probably You only
cheated the minister out OF 100
crowns, or perhaps the good brandy
you lave been diaking affected your
ability to count"
Everybody, including the baron,
laughed, but a little later. having
counted his bills once more. he ex-
claimed: mo, as sure as am hy-
ins. | am 100 crowns short. Chamber
lain, will you be kind enough to
count these bills? When / left my
hotel | had with me eight 100 crown
bills, and 900 crowns In tens. and all
that can see now Is seven 100 crown
bills"
The chamberlain smiled, picked up
the bills and counted them, and shall
never forget the peculiar expression
that came into the faces OF the gentle
men as he declared: mo. really,
there are only seven 100 crown bills.
But my dear baron, are you really
sure there ought to be eight
Now, | know that | am little UNI
der the weather" the baron replied
.shut \ uvouId taka n solemn oath that