Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-03-15
MADEM0ISELLE JABIR0USKA.
A STRANGE STORY.

Dish the details OF most extraordinary mar
rative, the authenticity of which is unques-
toned, and which we think will somewhat
startle our numerous readers. For many
years NJ. de la Reynie had discharged, to
the satisfaction of the public, the duties of
lieutenant general of the police, when sud-
denly most remarkable panic was produce
ed throughout Paris, by the unaccountable
disappearance of several individuals. Dur
ing period of four months, twenty-six
young men of from seventeen to twenty
years of age had disappeared, leaving their
families inconsolable for their loss Mystic
rious and contradictory rumors were circu-
lated in regard to the matter in the Faubourg
Saint Antoine, which had been deprived in
this manner of four or five fine young men,
the sons of respectable citizens
The Duke of Gevres communicated the
circumstance to the king, who, when the
lieutenant of police had been ordered into
his presence, expressed his indignation and
regret in the strongest terms at the contin-
ued repetitons Of practice which was I'M
doubleday followed by the violent death Of
the victims, as none of them afterward re-
appeared. La Reynie, in despair at the re-
Duke and distress of his sovereign, returned
with Responding heart to Paris. On arri-
wing there, he sent for one of the officers Of
his establishment, named Lecoq, a man of
considerable adrotness and address, and one
who had been of service to his superior OH
many trying occasions Lecoq appeared,
and NJ. de la Reynie explained to him his
embarrassment, described the dissatisfaction
of the king, aud made such promises of rec
ompense, that Lecoq, eated at the prospect,
and sympathizing with the general anxiety
to discover a clue to the mystery, exclaimed,
Enough, sir, | see that, in order to get
you out of this scrape, must not shrink
from the example of the patriarch, who
} would have sacrificed his own son on the
altar. But give me eight days, aud at the
: end of that time | trust shall be able to
render you satisfactory account of this
} matter"
Lecoq did not explain himself further
and La Reynie, who regarded him as his
better angel, dismissed him with gesture,
which signlfied that he me him the most
unlimited powers to carry his project into
effect At this time it was common among
the police of Paris to communicate with one
: another by mute signs-a sort OF telegraph,
the key of which was confided only to a
, limited number of the initiated. Lecoq
5 was not married; but he had Il natural son,
on whom he lavished all the tenderness of
his nature, and whose education he had
t himself superintendent. This youth was
D called by his companions PEveille (Wide-
awake.) He was ABOUT sixteen years old,
of fine and handsome exterior, and bore
4 himself more like man of five and twenty
; than mere lad. L'Eyeiile, whose real
name was Exupere, received from the boun-
ty of his father all that could ilatter the
vanity of young man. His appointments
were of the first order, and his graceful per-
son was set off with clothes of the most
I costly aud fashionable manufacture. But
l he was permitted to venture out but little,
Lecoq knowing too well to what dangers
! fine young men were exposed in the streets
: Of Paris; and in all his promenades he was
logged by the spies of his aifectionate ia
ther.
On the day of the interview between La
} Reynie and Lecoq, the latter, on returning
home, shut himself up with his son. The
!, conference was long, and few hours after
ward, the neighbors were more than ever
struck with the appearance of PEvelle, as
he left the house of his parent in his most
brilliant attire LEvele, in addition to
the beauty of his person, was gifted in an
l eminent degree with keen perceptions,
5 courage, prudence, aud knowledge of the
q world. The secret conversation which he
e had held with his father had reused his am
bition and he had readily seen how much
honor and profit would accrue 10 him, if he
y could aid in unravelling, for the benefit of
the lieutenant of police, the mystery of the
disappearance of so many young men,
Having, consequently, alfred himself as be-
came the son of wealthy parents, he prone
: naded the fashionable streets, the quays, the
Tuleries, and the Paais ROYAL.
Lecoq had conjectured that the young
: men, whose disappearance had excited So
e much sensation, had fallen into the snare of
some intrigue of gallantry; and that the
v bait by which they were decoyed had been
:, pretty woman He had also forseen that
= in exposing his son to an encounter with
Il this female, whoever she might be, he ran
- the risk of subiectng him to a similar fate
but 'Evelle had been duly placed upon
h his guard, and his father relied much upon
g his tact, prudence, and self possession.
= On the fifth day, the young dandy, in all
II the bravery of his new attire, was walking
in the garden of the Tulleres, when he en-
e countered a female of extraordinary beauty,
a who passed quite near him. She walked by
h herself, but seemed to be followed, at re-
e spectfu distance, by sort of governess.-
II The age of the young lady might be from
d twenty-five to twenty-five. She was ele-
IS gantly dressed and her air and figure pre-
y scented model of grace. L'Eveille eyed
e with interest her dellcately rounded figure
r and spirited features His glances were
e not lost and looks of unequivocal tender
ness were exchanged for his own. The
Il presentiment came over him that he was on
., the road to an adventure. "Can this be
:. the GIRL" he asked himself, " for whom
|, have been watching2" To reassure himself
"a he slackened his pace, went on again, and
a then returned, and finally sat himself down
~ on one of the banks facing the Champs
Elysees.
- He had not been long in this position be-
~ fore he saw the elderly female, who accom-
," panied the young lady, stroll toward him
and after making one or two turns, seat her
ne self on the bank by his side. Solicitations
were at once interchanged, as politeness de
re manded. Conversation ensued, and ou