Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-09-03
CRIME DETECTED
AN ANECDOTE OF THE PARIS POLl

AN ANECDOTE OF THE PARIS POLICE.
Previously to the year 1889, but at
what precise date | cannot say, the city
ofParis possessed as guardian ofits safety,
and chief minister of police, a man rare
talent aad integrity. At the same period
the Parish of st. Germans,i in the quarter
of the Hue St. Antoine, had for it's Cure
kind venerable old man. whose life was
spent in doing good to both the souls and
bodies of his fellow creatures, and whose
holy consistency and dignifed courage
caused him to be loved by the good, and
respected by even the most abandoned
characters. One cold dark winters
night, the bell at the old Cures door was
rung loudly, and he, although in bed, i'm
mediately arose and opened the door,
anticipating a summons to some sick or
dying bed.
A parsonage richly dressed, with his
features partly concealed bya large false
beard, stood outside. Addressing the
Cure in courteous and graceful manner,
he apologiZed for his unreasonable visit.
which, as he said, the high reputation Of
monsieur had induced to make.
A great and terrible, but necessary
and inevitable deed" he continued, -. is to
be done. Time presses, a soul about to
pass into eternity implores vour ministry,
If you come you must allow your eyes to
be bandaged, ask no questions, and con-
sent to act simply as spiritual consoler
of dying woman. If you refuse to ac-
company me, no other priest can be ad-
mtted, and her spirit must pass alone,'
"Aftcr "a moment of secret prayer"
the Cure answered, | will go with
you.
Without asking any further explanation,
he allowed his eyes to be bandaged, and
leaned on the arm of his suspicious visit
er. They both got into the coach, whose
windows were Immediately covered by
wooden shutters and then they drove off
rapidly. They seemed to 60 long way,
and make many doublings and turnings
ere the coach drove under wide archwav
and stopped.
During this time, not a single word
had been exchanged between the travel
crs, and ere they cot out, the STRANGER as
sured himself that the bandage over his
companions eyes had not been displaced,
and then taking the old man respectfully
by the hand, assisted him to alignt and
to ascend the wide steps Of a staircase as
far as the second story. A great door
opened, as if of itself, and several thickly
carpeted rooms were traversed in silence
At length another door opened by the
guide, and the Cure felt his bandage re-
moved. They were in solemn looking
chamber; near bed, half yelled by thick
damask curtains, was small table, sup
porting two wax lights, which fceblv illu-
minated the cold death-lke apartment.
The stranger Che was the Duke de-)
then bowling to the Cure, led him towards
the bed, drew back the curtains, and said
in q solemn tone:
minister Of God, before YOU is a
woman who has betrayed the blood of
her ancestors, and whose doom is irrevo-
cably fixed. She knows on what condi-
tions an interview with You has been
granted her /; she knows too that all sup
plication would be useless. You know
your duty, NJ. lie Cure; leave you to fulfil
it, and will return to seek you in half an
hour"
So saying he departed, and the agitated
priest saw lying on the bed a young and
beautiful girl, bathed in tears, battling
with despair, and calling in her bitter
agony for the comforts of religion. No
investigation was possible, for the un-
happy creature declared herself bound by
terrible oath to conceal her name; be-
sides, she knew not in what place she was.
Il am" she said, 1.-the victim of Sc
cret family tribunal, whose sentence is
irrevocable More / cannot tell. for
give mine enemies, as trust that God
will forgive me. Pray for me -
The minister of religion invoked the
sublime promises of the gospel to soothe
her troubled soul, and he succeeded
Her countenance, after time, became
composed, she clasped her hands in ear
nest prayer, and then extended them
towards her consoler.
As she did so, the Cure perceived that
the sleeve of her robe was stained with
blood.
"My child" said he, with trembling
voice, "what is this o.
Father, it is the vein which they have
already opened, and the bandage, no
doubt, was carelessly put on"
At these words sudden thought struck
the priest He enrolled the dressing, al