The Placer herald., 1857-12-12
The Tragedy of Rue de la Harpe.
A WARNING.


In the Rue de la Harpe, at Paris, which is
a long, dismal, ancient street in the faux
bourg of ST. MARCEL, is a space or gap in the
line of building upon which formerly stood
two dwelling houses instead of which now
stands melancholy memorial, signifying,
that upon this spot no human habitation
shall ever be erected-no human being ever
must reside.
Curiosity will of course be greatly excited
to ascertain what it was that rendered this
devoted spot so obnoxious to humanity, and
yet SO interesting to history.
Two attached and opulent neighbors, resi-
ding in some province, not very remote from
the French capital, having occasion to 90 to
town on certain money transactions, agreed
to travel thence and to return together,
which was to be done with as much expedi-
ton as possible. They were, | believe, on
foot, very common way, even at present,
for persons of much respectabiity to travel
in France, and were attended, as most pedes-
trians are, by a faithful dog.
Upon their arrival at the Rue de la IIarpe,
they stepped into the shop of peruqier to
be shaved, before they would proceed on
their business, or enter into the more fash
ionable streets. SO limited was their time,
and so peremptory was their return, that the
first man who was shaved, proposed to his
companion, that while he was undergoing
the operation Of the razor. he who was al
ready shorn would run to execute small!
commission in the neighborhood, promising
that he would be back before the other was
ready to move. For this purpose he left
tie shop door of the barber.
On returning, to his great surprise and
veXation, he was informed that his friend
WAS gone, but as the dog, which was the dog
of the absentee, was sitti outside the door,
the other presumed he was only gone out
for moment, perhaps in pursuit of him; so,
expecting him back every moment he chat
ted to the barber whilst he watched his
return.
Such a considerable time elapsed that the
stranger now became quite impatient; he
went in and out, up and down the street; still
the dog remained stationed at the door.
"Dd he leave no message!" NO." all the
barber knew was, 'that when he was shaved
he went away" ''It was very odd"
The dog remaining stationed at the door
was to the traveller conclusive evidence that
his master was not far off; he went in and
out, and up and down the street again. Still
no sign of him whatever.
Impatience now became alarm; alarm SYM
pathetic. The poor animal exhibited marks
Of restlessness in yelps and howlings, which
so affected the sensibiIity of the stranger,
that he threw out some insinuations not much
to the credit of Monsieur, an alteration en-
sued, and the traveller was Indignantly Or
dered by the peruquier to quit the bontique.
Upon quitting the shop he found it i'm
possible to remove the dog from the door.
No whisting, no calling, no patting would
do, stir he would not.
In his agony this afflicted man raised a
crowd about the door, to whom he told his
lamentable story. The dog became an object
of universal interest," and of close attention.
lie shivered and howled, but no seduction,
no caressing, no experiment, could make
him desert his post.
BY some of the popuIace it was proposed
to send for the police, others proposed re-
medy more summary, namely, to force in
and search the house, which was immediate
ly done. The crowd burst in, every apart
ment was searched but in vain. There was
no trace whatever of the countryman.
During this investigation, the dog still re-
manned sentinel at the shop door, which was
bolted within to keep out the crowd, which
was immense outside.
After fruitless search and much alteration
the barber who had prevailed upon those
who had forced in to quit his house, came to
the door and was haranguing the populace,
declaring most solemnly his innocence, when
the dog suddenly sprang upon him, and flew
at his throat with such terrific evaporation,
that his victim tainted, and was with the
greatest difficulty rescued from being torn to
pieces.
The dog seemed in a state of intellectual
agony and fury.
1t was now proposed to give the animal
his way, to see what course he would pursue.
The moment he was left loose he flew through
the shop, and darted dowp stairs into dark
cellar, where he set up the most dismal Ia
mentation.
Lights being procured, an aperture was
discovered in the wall communicating to the