Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1848-07-27
miscellaneous.
A R0BBER CHIEF
N HEEIGHTEENTH CENTURY
FROM sHARPE's LONDON MAGAZINE.

Among the remarkable personages of the last cen
tury was the celebrated Tor shall we not rather say
the notorleus) Carouche, Robber Chief who al the
head OF his daring band OF followers lied all Frasce
with his deeds OF violence, and carried even into
the streets Of Paris. His reckless audacity was mix
ed with degree OF gaIantry and of devotion which
sotened the harsher features OF his character and in
vested him with certain kind of popularity even a.
,aoag those WAC were held in constant terror by his
name.
Monster Argenson was an Incompatible Lieuten-
ant General OF Police, but IN defiance oil all his viglence
ttarlouehe appeared IN the midst OF Paris; and at
Ihls unweleome apparlton, many families who had
mol The resource OF courty residence at Versailles,
prepared 20 take refuge IN their country ctateGur al
though the severity Of the winter made such reno
val both dlSagreeable and ncouvepent. They found,
however, that safety 10 be secured By fight,
for Cauouche, the head ofioryor City men, attacked
The Cardinal OF Geyres as lie was passing through
the outlets OF ParIs on his way to- bourges 1t is
that he dealt gently with the Cardinal, having deprived
hlm only OF ms Episcopal cross and Ponutical ring.
together with ten louis ors, Which were found in his
purse pasiy Of robin red breast, and two Aagons Of
OF Iohay, which he had won from friend al pcquet.
We may observe here, by way Of parenthesis that
this worthy Cardinal. although prodigously scrupu-
ous, was somewhat addicted TO good living he would
on account play for money. lest he might lose that
which Tlehlujy belonged to The poor neither would
he indulge himself By purchasing expensive food
wine; bui his conscience was quite at when he
played atpquet Tor some recherche dish, for IA
g0n OF SChlfaZ which cost twelve or fllen louis. Il
he was unucky as to loose, he paid his debt oil
honor BY giving volume OF his ecclesiastical man
daes and pastoral instructions, Of which be always
carried about with him forty or fifty copies superbly
and illuminated. These hltle self receptions Were
thoroughly understood among his friends, who readi-
ly fell IN with his humors because he not only
the dainty, but also the charitable of prelaes-
the most candid and good-heafled Of men,
To return to his adventure with Cnnouohe. The
bandits refused 10 akeanyhng from the Able de Ger
veie, the Cardinals Secretary saying that he was
too handsome youth TO be robbed and that they had
not audacly enough 10 commit so great a crime.
''Since you very kind and courteous TO Mon
ser PAbbe," saidhis Emjnence "you ouehtat least,
to leave him half tho pastry, and llagon of this
Hungary wine"
.-Afosl gladly viii share them with NJ. PAbbe."
replied Carouche; al he Will do us the hoa0r to join
our party. ana 10 pariake."
Bot tie A hbe FASTENED 10 offer his excuses FOR de-
Ching 50 polite an invitation; and thereon followed
,uutua oaplimeats and regrets which doubtless were
mote amusing 10 the bandits than 10 those whom hey
were deSpodmg. and who longed for their departure.
One of the robbers pretended 10 suspect the Able
was fair lady disguised IN a caSsock.
'Rj,sh and unhappy being! !" exclaimed the Cardi-
nal; 'do you tkuow ,hatsuch concealmeni would
he an act o. saerllege on my part And how do you
dare to take me FOR gully debauchee %
Cnrtouche gave his eomrade so furious blow, that
be struck him to The ground. "
''lherei that will teach thee 10 treat our preiaieS
disrespec,iulIy - said he. reddenng with anger.
'See how this rascal presumes 10 attack the Card
nal of BoUrges knowest thou moi that he refuses
tythes from those thaare in distress ?" continued Car
looche, loaming with rage, and kicking the poor
wretch who lay sprawlng on The ground
SO full ofteuor the good people o! Paris al this
time that no one yeatured out al night, without be-
ing accompanied by five or six well armed men; and
those whose attendants wereetther few cowardy,
attached themselves 10 the better appointed equpage,
oftheir friends The Partisan police continually
on The qci uiec and white their interchangeable chief
was on his nightly patroe, Carouche entered his
house. and rifed il so thoroughly Of every article OF
value thai the worthy officer obliged to eat his
soup with pewter spoon. The major of the French
Guards did notknow which way 10 lurn. so numer
Gus and pressing were the applications made 10 him
for sennes and escorts, many OF which he was obliged
10 refse In short, since the days OF the Fonde, Pa
rs had not been filed with such Perpexi,y and fear
While this extraordinary man was thus battling the
vigilance of some, and deiylng the authority otolhers
il was affirmed that the influence OF one lady's name
was all powerful with Carouche aud his myrmidons
The Marquis de Bauilremont distributed passes which
were always respected by the bandits and the secret
OF her power soon became known.