The penny press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1859-1860, 1860-01-09
The Prince Of Partisan THEY es.

Persons rob one another every day
but he must have been a clever fellow
who robbed the Prefecture Of police (the
head police officer in Paris) and this
man did, whose name has become histo-
rical-Beaumont He was the Jack
Sheppard among tha thieves.
When Beaumont accomplished the
immortalizing feat (among his brethren)
he had lust returned from the Bagne (the
gaIley) at Brest. 1t took place in the
days of the celebrated Vidocq. He
actually robbed the strong box at the
head police Office; and this box contained
not only bank notes, but all the jewelry
which is found, or in any way comes into
the hands Of the police After his return
from the galleys he frequently called
upon M. Henry, the principal officer of
the second division Of police; and these
visits were made under pretence ofmaking
certain revelations, or giving useful infor-
nation, in the hope of becoming attached
to the police himself
M. Henrys Office was next to the cash
ier's Office In going and coming, Beau
mont had keys made to fit them. This
was doubtless great point gained, but 1T
was not all; it was necessary to watch
moment when the cashier was out, not at
home, or having left his Office, and when
M. Henry, who never scarcely was absent,
should be away. Everything turns well
for those who choose to wait patiently.
Beaumont found the long-watched.for op-
portunity, and as he never did anything
hastily, he did all at his ease this time,
and as cleverly as quietly. He put on II
black coat belonging to NJ. Henry, dress
then little worn, except by those in high
office; he walked down stairs and went to
the nearest guard house, asked for the
officer who took him for some high official
and two soldiers were sent with him,
without the least difficulty.
Beaumont gravely placed them, one at
each end of the corridor, with strict
orders to let no one pass until further
directions. 1t was very daring, but
equally sure. When he had made his
selections among heaps Of precious things,
and filled his pockets with gold and jew
els, he passed one of the sentitinels, and
said: ..... .........
"That's right my friend. / am going
to the head directors. Everything must
remain as I left it until my return; shall
soon be back let no one pass.
But the Office hours arrived, and all the
clerks, too, high and low.
"You can't passl' they were told.
So they all went out, and walked up
and down the yard Some, however,
went around, at last, tired of waiting to
the other entrance.
"You can't passl" saluted their ears
again.
Then came the heads of the police,
and lastly, M. Henry himself who did
not take matters so quietly. He ran to
the guard-house. The officer knew moth
ing Of the rank or::name of the functionary
who had asked for guard To release
the soldiers from their duty, the minister
of the police had to be sent for, and they
got in If a thunderbolt had fallen among
them all, they could not have been more
dumb founded. The strong box was rifed,
and the ground strewn with rejected val
uables Who could have done it2 To
whom attribute the audacious act2 All
the persons employed were under examin-
alton and suspicion, when Beaumont was
betrayed by comrade, and condemned
second time. He had stolen several
hundred thousand francs, the greater
part of which was found upon him.