The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-10-03

open front door, and was only made aware
of him by the agreeable fumes which assailed
my nostriis, as sped like greyhound down
the stairs. In half minute was in the lit
tie back court, where lay the smashed remains
of the pot and the withered flower. Feeling
morally certain that the shocking head and
scowling visage of the thief were protrudiag
from above, drew the canvas bag from the
crumbled dry mould. and held it up to his
gaze. There he was, sure enough, growing
and grinding his teeth with modification.
why don't YOU cry, stop thiefg bawled
out to him. Did YOU think to catch the Eng
lishman asleep? 4u rcroU, Coquin'
waited for no reply, but. making for the
street, jumped into the first tacre that came
in view, and in half an hour had alghted at
my own lodging. AS was mounting to my
apartment, | met on the stairs my friend and
chum, Ollendorf, who was sallying forth TO
meet his morning pupils.
'Halloo" said he, you have been out all
night
Yes said /. 'and have had an adyen-
ture.'
Good. let ME hear all about IT,
! told him how l had passed the night, ,and
all that hal happened.
! Capital he cried. 'and have YOU examined
! the thief's bag?'
No, | have not done that vet but OF
course it contains nothing but what is NV
own.'
DO not be too sure of that come, we will
examine it together
/ lie followed me into the room, and lug
ged forth the bag, feeling confident that the
fertile Imagination of my pathological friend
had misled him, as it was apt to do. To my
utter astonishment there were in the bag, IN
addition to the money riied from my pockets.
a gold Napoleon. five-franc piece. and pair
Of enormously large circular earrings of al
loyed gold, such as one often sees in the ears
of the provincial immigrants, who crowd the
wharves, markets, and warehouses of Paris.
There said my friend. YOU see that the
rascal had more strings 10 his bow than YOU
gave him credit for. Ifyou had made an up
roar. and a charge OF theft. he could have re-
tort d the charge upon you-uould have
shown his empty pockets, and might have as
good a chance of eliminating You as YOU oi
eliminating him. However, YOU nav forgive
him, since he has paid YOU for defeating his
purpose and. really, think he has treated
YOU handsome
/. Against his will; but seriously, what
ought 10 do? Had | not better put the af
fair into the hands of the police -
DO you know the rule in such Gases here
II net. must tell yo; that if YOU put the
thief's money into the hands ofthe police. YOU
will also be compelled to hand over the whole
contents OF the bag : and how much YOU vii
get back. and ic'ea you will get any, You mus,
be more clever than am if you can guess
finally decided not to trouble the police
with the business: but. as could not have
made use OF the scoundrel's money. anv more
than could have worn the huge Earrings. |
wrapped both up in a paper together, anu
placed them in my pocket-book until time
and circumstances should present some fit and
proper mode OF disposing Of them.
|; Wa about a year after the above adven
turc and when the details of it had almost
faded from my memory, that was invited b,
a friend from England TO accompany hin
on visit 10 one Of the Parisian prisons-it
rccollect right, it was the new Bicetre. which
after good deal OF solicitation and trouble
he had obtained permission To inspect. Whil,
We we're wandering through the Workshop,
in which tie prisoners labor together in Il
lence ~ many hours a day, ;> my friend Wa,
committing his notes 10 paper, amused my
self by scanning the demorslized physio.no-
mics around me, little suspectins that | Va:
destined TO find an acquaintance among them
Close 10 nv elbow there stood a man at
bench, bending over his work, which VA:
that ofcarying sabol> from unshapcly blocks
of willow wood
Was admiring The -al,:diiy and boldness o
his cxecation,w he suddenly lifted his hea,
and exposed 10 View the faeo-which la,
formerly studied with such dcIiberation-o
the thief of the Rue de / Odeon. knew hin
At once, and saw thai the recognition was mu
tual, iar he lowered his head again Instantly
and plainly sought to elude my gaze. Ieoult
not, of course, speak 80 him then, withou
contravening the rules of the prison; but OIL
imparting my wish TO do SO to the guide VIII
had US in charge, he promised TO give me th
, opportunity sought when We had fnishe,
our survey. He was as good as his WORD
and before leaving the prison was conducts
to the delinquent in his own cell, whether h
had been remanded that | mi ght see him.
The poor wretch who, if vas. clear, imagine
that was going 10 lodge fresh charge q
sainst him, seemed struck with mortal pa
lOr as entered.
do not be alarmed | said; Il have n
complaint against you: but l have been wish
Ing 10 meet YOU, and to make restoration @
property which may, perhaps, be of no use I
you
unfolded my pocket-book and took ou
l the little packet containing the Napoleon, lh