Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-02-14
French Police Anecdotes,

and aptly narrated, proves continually how
much more strange is truth than fiction ;
But the impressive manner and rleIodra-
matte taste OF the people as well as their
intricate police system, bring out more viv-
idly these latent points of interest, as a
reference TO the Causes Celebres and the
Memoirs of Vidocq illustrate. A friend of
mine, returning from trip to Lyons, be-
came acquainted in the rail car with an En-
giish gentleman, and when they reached
the station, just before midnight, the two
left for their hotels in The same cab. AZ
ter short drive, the vehicle suddenly came
10 halt, the cabman sprang to the ground,
and his passengers were left to surmiise the
occasion of their abrupt abandonment
presently crowd collected, a shout was
raised, and they learned that valise had
been stolen from the top of the carriage,
and its owner had set off in pursuit of the
thief. He ran with great swiftness, doub-
led corners, sprang over obstacles, and was
in fair way to distance his pursuer, when
soldier thrust out his foot and tripped up
the fugitive, who was taken to the nearest
police station. Confronted with the owner
OF the valise, he declared it was his own
property, placed by mistake on the wrong
cab. The official authorized to settle the
difficulty not being present, my friend and
his companion were informed they must
leave the article in dispute, and the case
ITSELF until the following morning, when
hearing woul1 be had before one of the
courts. On reaching their destination, the
gentlemen parted with the understanding
that that they would dine together at a GER
tain restaurant the next day. The appoint
ed hour came, but not the Engshman !;
and my friends appetite and patience were
keen set, when after an hours delay, the
truant made his appearance, looking pale,
tr7ste and exhausted. He soon explained
the cause of his detention. He had gone
TO the police court to prove and regain his
valise, and foufd at the bar young man
of genteel address and remarkable beauty
his costume was in the latest fashion, though
somewhat soiled and torn from bis fall and
rough handling the previous night; but his
countenance was intelligent and refined.
and his bearing that of a gentleman. Up
on table lay the valse and the contents
of the prisoners pockets, among them
large penknfe; he held convulsively to the
rail and kept bis eyes cast down; the Judge
had taken his seat, and a crowd of idlers
and gems d'armes filed the room. The
claimant immediately satisfied the court
that the vaise belonged to him by mention
ing several articles it contained and produc-
ing the key. In the meantime the accused,
earnestly watching the entrance; started /,
and turned pale and red by turns as beau,
tiful girl in the dress of prosperous gri- !
sette, pushed her way into the crowd, stood
on tiptoe, and exchanged glances with the
prisoner. The latter, when asked his name, |
replied. 6 have brought disgrace enough
upon il already" and, seizing the penknife, |
thrust it into his heart, and fell dead. He
was the descendant of noble house In one |
of the southern provinces, and came to
Paris as medical student, and through |
devoted attachment to his mistress, whose |
costly tastes soon drained his purse, was
induced to steal the trunks of travellers as
they left the railway stations at night. In
his apartment was found large wardrobe
and a months purloning was thus summa-
rily expiated. Similar incidents occur else
where, but the details, when the scene is
laid il Paris, are more picturesque and dra-
matte.
Two instances which heard related will
illustrate this same dramatic significance in
the municipal system. After eme,de, the
chef of police in d certain ufrondisseme,,t,
while engaged in experimenting the re-
moval of corpses from barricadc, noticed
the body of a female whose delicate hands
and fnely-wrought robe were so alien to
the scene as to excite suspicion. He or
dered to 10 be placed 10 a separate apart
ment for examination. A more careful In
spection confirmed his surmise that this
was the body of no amizonian whose war
like zeal or accidental presence in such an
aifray could explain its discovery. There
was no trace whereby the remains could be
identified except geranium leaf that was
found imbe lded in her long disheveled
tresses. This was gwen to a celebrated
botani:t, with orders to learn, if possible.
from what plant it had been taken. The
man Of science visited all the houses of the
neighborhood, and critically examined ev-
cry specimen of the shrub he could find. |
AT length, 10 the elegant library of young
abbe, he not only discovered one of the
species, but, by means Of powe fal micro |
scope, d -tecied the very branch whence the |
leaf had been nipped. BY dextrous man
agement the clef, thus scientifically put on
the track, brought home the charge 10 the
priest, who confessed the murder of the |
young lady in fit of Jealousy, and. by de-
1 L. Il. a. II. II