St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1860-12-20
= e VIDOCQ;
''': ~ OR, "'r =,
THE CHARCOAL BURNER OF ROUEN,

Not many miles from the: city Of Rouen,
in France, is located wild and somewhat
extensive forest. This wood is chiefly in
habited by charcoal burners and many
are the dark legends in which they figure.
Of course the tales are mostly exaggerated,
and in some cases have no foundation at
all. During the year l83-, however, sew.
eral travellers, whose way lay through this
forest, mysteriously disappeared. The
whole place was secured, and the inhablt-
ants vigorously examined, but no clue was
obtained and they were dismissed. For
several months after this, no more travel
ers were missed, and finally the public ex-
citement was allayed. It was at this time
that the incident related in this sketch oc.
Cured. ,s d:
It was fine morning in early autumn,
and the woods presented beautiful ap-
pearance. The birds were gaily singing,
and the rays Of an afternoon sun not too
warm, were gliding the tree tops. In the
very heart of the forest, surrounded by the
heaps of smoking earth, stood one of these
burners. He was splendid specimen of
man, as far as physical proportions went;
fully six feet IN heig ight, and stout in pro-
portion. His broad shoulders might have
contained the strength of Hercules
His head was large and covered with a
shaggy mass Of hair, and bis features were
decidedly repulsive. His eyes were small
and nearly covered with. bushy eyebrows
He had altogether a cruel and malevolent
appearance. .-...
AS we introduce him to the reader he
was leaning upon large ak, apparently in
a listening position. The road ran by a
place where he was standing, but he could
not see far along it, on account Of sudden
turn little distance from him. The clat
ter, of horses hoofs, however, could be
plainly heard, and in few minutes horse
and rider came into sight. The new com
er was small and active looking man, and
from his dress was gentleman apparently
we'll off. His eyes We're unusually keer
and searching, and were bent. upon; the
charcoal burner in such manner that the
latter completely quailed before him.
"a fair day, my good man. said the
horsenan, in the easy manner Of one speak
ing to his inferior.
"Excellent, Monsieur, for one of my
trade; I love not the broiling sun Of sum
mer, nor the bleak winds of winter" ~
"Since you are 50 nicely suited, I sup
pose you must be what so few are in thi.
world happy .s =.
"You say truly, Monsieur few, few in
deed, are truly happy. There is no hap
piness without contentment." '..
"And are you not content ?'' ....t.
"At times [ think I am; but when I SCI
noblemen riding by in his coach and four
/ rolling in riches, with servants to obey hi.
every wish, and I having to toll hard 70,
my daily bread, I cannot help thinking
that God is sometimes unjust" .n.-
"And do you never think of appropria
ting any Of these superfuous riches ?'
"What does Monsieur :mean2 I trus
no thoughts Of; ;disobeying the laws Of Coz
and man alike, ever enter into my mind.
II meant nothing; It was merely al
| idle question but I did not, step to tall
thus, but to ask the way to T: :. It il
getting late, and must be on the move
"If Monsieur Is in q hurry, Z can direc
him to P :--- ----- IN about half the time"
! "I shall be very much obliged to 20,
d my friend" .iGjH ...<-3.I .s1ssglg -44hE
t'This lane begins very near my home
which is about. . half mile further on
You had better stop there, As As ny wife car
point it out to you'