The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1857-03-26
CAROLINA SPARTAN.
THE THREE NUMBERS.

1n0 auuaiS Oi tne ponce OF All countries
present the darkest pictures. Take any
civilized government-and the greater the
civilization the greater the crme-examine
its records, not forgetting those of dreadful
acts which, though known to the author.
Ties, have escaped the punishment of hu-
man laws, read, and shudder. No one can
long hold Office which brings him face to
face with crime, without coming TO the
painful conclusion. however unwillngly,
that there is nothing possible that man-ay,
or woman either--wili not do. If a pas
sion be once permitted to take a firm hold
of the human mind, there is no gulf, how.
ever deep. into which that PASSIONS slave
may not be dragged.
Ii has been said Of the police Of France
that its officers are better informed than
those who sit in the confessional; for the
guilty, whether OF vice, baseness. or crime,
do not tell their own story-which very
few relate without adding, almost uncon
sciously, some favorable coloring-but have
u told for them by agents Of every rank of
life, who are on the watch, and seem to
have the receipt of fern-seed, aud walk in.
visible. The French police was, and is sci.
dom at fault. Under some of its chiefs it
seemed omniscient. The universal know.
ledge and precision of the police at Paris,
under the ieu,enancy Of NJ. de Sartnes,
were exemplified by story that made some
impression at the time. A provincial mag
istrate of experiences and talent, who was
dining with the lieutenant, expressed his
doubts rs to the efficiency of the system,
aud declared his conviction that the ma.
chinery was far from being SO complete as
M. de Sartines believed it 10 be- His host as
sured him that he was mistaken; but, warm. q.
ed by the good wine, he rouudly asserted
that he would he in the capital withou, the
knowledge Of M. de Sartines. The con,ro.
versy ended by the guest backing his opin.
ION with wager, which M. de Sar,ines ac
repted; and the magistrate departed, SAYING,
81. he took leave of his host, that he was as
s re Of the louis which were staked, as ifhe
nslj them in his purse. ave shall see,"
said Nj. de Sartnes.
The magistrate left the city soon after.
wards, and remained for some time in the
country. He then took every precaution,
disguised himself, aud arrived alone, late at
night at an obscure hotel in the outskirts
OF Paris. After taking slight rejection
he went to bed. Next morning, before he
rose, he received from NJ. de Sartires din
ner invitation for that day.
But though the guilty seldom escaped,
instances were not wanting of perpetrators
OF the most atrocious crimes eludinp the
grasp OF the police to whom they were
sometimes, though very rarely, unknown,
TIL after they were beyond the reach of any
human tribunal. One Of these rare instan.
ces we shall now narrate.
In the year 1907, working shoemaker
named Picaud, lived at Paris. On Sun
day, and dressed in his best holiday suit,
the young and very nearly handsome bach.
elor presented himself to small coffee
mouse keeper, his equal in rank and age
but richer, and unfavorabiy known for his
envy of all who prospered around him.
Matthew Loupian, like Picaud, was born
at Nismes, like him mad come to try his
fortune IN the great city, and had set up
his establishment near the Place Saint Op.
perfume, where he had very good custom
lie was widower, and had two children
somehow or other few Frenchmen have
more-left to him by his deceased wife
Three of his neighbors and friends, all
from the depdrtcment du Gard, were with
him.
Whats all this?" said the master of the
house. "Eh, Picau.. How fine you are;
one would declare that you were going to
dance las treiiaas"
II AMI going to do better, my Loupian: I
am going to be married"
"And whom have you chosen 10 plant
the matrimonial apPendages on you headl"
said one Of the auditors, named AIIut.
"Not the second daughter Of your moth
er-in.Iaw, for in that family they do it so
clumsiIy that yours have broken through
your hat"
The rest looked, and beheld cons;dera-
BILE solution of the continuation of the front
OF the crown of the hat of Alut The laugh
was loud and long, and with the gay shoe
maker. Truth wounds, and AluL did not
laugh.
Joking apart" said Loupian, "who is
your intended, Picaud!"
LA de Yigouroux."
"What! The rich Margaret"
"Tbe same"
But she has hundred thousand francs"
cried Loupian.
al will pay he. in love and happiness:
and invite you all, gentlemen, to the mass,
which will be said at ST. Leu, and to tho
dance afterwards, which will take place ut
the Bosquets de Venus, rue aur Ours"
The four friends could hardly mutter
their thanks, SO confounded wero they by
the good fortune of their comrade.
"When are you to be married." inquired
Loupian.
Next Tuesday"
"TQesdayt"