Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1861-03-02
Srle(t Gale.
THE CAREER OF A POISONER.


Toward the close Of the last century there
lived in Paris yonng merchant Of the name
OF Desrues, who, formerly petty grocer, had
by his good management and marriage with O
rich wife established large commission bus-
ness. He had large circle Of friends and &C.
quaintanc-s. and was considered Trustworthy.
well educated and pious How be mainta aimed
this character to the end, the following mar
ratve will show. After his death he was
known by the name Of linfdme Desrues, the
mention OF whose nnme aroused horror and
terror, as that of a criminal Of cod.6looded
barbarity, and perfect hypocrte.
Born ut Chsrtres in l7t5. Antoine Pran.
qos Desrues lost his parents in his third
year. His relatives took charge OF the boy,
but oDe after .he other got rid Of him, because
they saw that ne plfered. lie vagabonded
about for some time, till one of his cousins
apprenticed biu,, at the age OF fifteen, to o
Paris grocer. Hers he was one day impu-
dent enough to ssy TO his mistress, You are
in far better position than you think, for
you have all the means in your hand to be
happy. You have some one you envy, hate,
aud would gladly bury, aud in your shop you
have everything al hand. Prepare the soup
cleverly, and oil will be right" We are not
told if the woman followed his advice, or
punished Desrues for it but she did not de.
nounce him TO- the police. We, however,
learn that the advice he gave his mistress
became the principle Of his life.
Desrues robbed his master repeatedly, but
80 c!everly that nothing Was missed. Onthe
contrary, be recommended him, in 1867, as
clerk to his sisterin.iaw, who Kept grocer's
shop, having been a widow for several years.
Desrues employed the three years of his stay
h.ra tA fort L. To 40
was almost ruined, but he managed il so
crafiily that not tie slightest suspicion fell
upon him. lie was the most moral and vir-
tuous OF men be was remarkably pous be
never neglected mass, tasted strictly, gave
aims, and went to confession regularly though
30 young. For these three years of monastic
life he required compensation. The person
with whom he was felt unable TO carry on her
business. She had constantly to struggle
against difficulties, which were SO much gain
to Desrues. AT length she sold him the bust
ness for an annuity Of l,200 livres, aud her
board and lodging for the term Of her life.
Two copies OF the agreement we're made.
One day Desrues went to the poor widow aud
asked her to show him her contract, as he
had mislaid his, because no did not remember
when the first payment had to be made
The woman unexpectedly produced the
paper but Desrues scarce had II 10 his hands
ere he tore it up. The widow, horrife6. re-.
cognized the meaning Of the act and read the
mans character at u glance. She threate ued
him with the law.
Accuse me !" he said, cooIIy: al owe you
nothing. You have no further proof against
me than putting me on my OATH. and | will
take it readily. People will believe me, Ma.
dame."
The unhappy woman broke ont into exc.
cratlons which he listened to laughiugly,
, even when she added:
Wretch, may Heaven be merciful to your
soul, but shall yet zee your body on the
scafold !"
Another heavy suspicion rests upon him,
bnt 1t was never proved. a young man
came from the provinces, about that time, to
establish grocery business in Paris. Des.
| rues had the reputation Of being substantial
! tradesman, and the young man applied TO
him to set about in the right way. For this
purpose he handed him the sum Of 5000
lvres. In few weeks Desrues said be knew
of good business for sale, but it would cost
| 10000 livres. The young msu wrote to bis
parents, who sent him 1000. lie gave them
to Desrues, who promised to do all he could
As his parents heard nothing Tor long time
from their son, they became alarmed, anG
wrote TO Desrues, who informed them that
the young man bad recalled his money, ss be
had changed bis plans, ami had probably lef.
Paris. AS nothing was ever heard of him
again, the public eventually believed Desrues
bad poisoned him.
A well.to-do Partisan spprenticed bis son
to Desrues, who constantly complained OF the
boys inattention and plliering One morn
ing he rushed to the father, and declared thai
the young scamp had run away with sil
hundred livres. The terrified father did moi
dare contradict Desrues' assertions, and paiC
the money TO save the honor Of the family
The sacrifice was 10 vain the lad neve
appeared again. Countless Instances wer'
after wards quoted in which there was tn
strongest suspicion that Desrues had forged
and cheated, and put people out OF the wa.
TO enrich himself. 1t is certain that he con
trived three fraudulent bankruptcies, 10 whicl
he succeeded in making bis creditors belev'
him the victim OF circumstances
10 l71l, after marrying the daughter OF
! rich ssddi.r u. N,lun, h' saTs up his retai