Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1862-02-27
Ghnite stlistellamv.
TT ~ ff' From The Boston Gazette
THE CORK. FINGER.


The reader is not very much advanced in
years who recalls the period when the Albion
Hotel in this city was one Of the most popu-
lar resorts we. had. 1t was under the Ma
ior' 8 roof that one found comfortable apart
ments, most unexceptionable cuisine, and
cellar stocked with the choicest vintages
and for many nears the aroma of the cigars
which came from the Albion could almost
be distinguished, SO rich and fragrant were
the brands. -rg
1t was the month Of. August. 1s-7,. just,
l4stwilight was fading into darkness, that
entered the Office, to meet, as every one did,
with pleasant salutation from the most
even tempered Of hosts. Near the window
sat rather good looking man, about forty
years Of age, evidently a foreigner. As
passed him our eyes met, and the thought
struck me that he was not a stranger to me,
] though where to place him | was unable
] glanced at the Hotel Register aud read
over the list of arrivals for week, when |
saw inscribed in the usual style of French
caligraphy the name Legendre, Paris
Years previous had been in Paris, and one
of my business acquaintances bore that sur
name. The age Of the stranger prevented
it from being him, but there was a family
look which was not to be evaded. As |
looked Icould trace strong resemblance to
to my former friend, and solicited an in
PRODUCTION from the Major, and before /
ventured to inform my new acquaintance
of my suspicious, endeavored to ascertain
the cause of his visit. He was communica-
tive and intelligent upon every point, but
when attempted to draw him out as to the
purpose of his trip, he simply evaded it by
an ingenious turn or some sparkling remark.
| n - lu, Il, ha
spoke most excellent Engish, was not en-
[ gradually spoke of my friend bearing his
name, whom had known in Paris.
"Anatole Legendre p he said.
"Yes-Rue ST. Augustine
The electric fluid OF his nature was start
ed instantaneously, and as he grasped my
hand shook it with all the vigor that he
could have shown had he found long lost
| brother, he exclaimed, while the tears stood
? in hiseyes ..-.
You are the only person who really
knows me on this continent"
A few inquiries after Ills brother, aD6
some pleasant recollections of him which
, related, established the entente coro1idle, ant
we walked toward the Common, he giving
his tongue license, which, as he confess
!. ed, it had not known since he left Paris.
My natural curiosity was not yet satisfied
as to the cause Of his visit, and as we reach
q cd the,mall- and ~teslsArsssst-t ts-fvish-ou
: cigars, inquired the probable length of hi
stay in Boston,
Uncertain" he replied, and sayin,
which he indulgedin few minutes of brow
study, as if discussing in his own mind tn
/, propriety or feasibility of some mental quer
which had suggested itself. pufIed away
for Hknew that when Frenchman ponder:
which is very rarely, he dislikes to be dis
turbed. He finally solved the doubt, an
turning to me, he said:
II am an agent OF the Paris Police"
AS had committed no crime in Paris
ment. and my friend was evidently surpri:
ed that did not show some strong emotion
contented myself by remarking:
"Ah indeed, and what brought yo
here?"
well, to tell the truth, came out hel
o. after counterfeiter, and possibly you ca
help me to find him.
: "And when found you can do nothing.
You cannot arrest him,
"True, but he has evidence which lmig
- buy which would valuable. l want
n, =, purchase certain secrets, which he possesse
an, Do you understand n Ht
her ''Yes. can imagine such thing as
mi mi the list of probabilities, but confess l
not understand" %.
hej He had another brief spell of self-interl
. CATION, which allowed him to enjoy, tol
knew his story would be mine, if only ga
him time enough. As a bit OF advice,
w passant, let me suggest that any one who
tempts to extract information from Frent
man, by what is called pumping, p" mal
poor investment. Wait for a rabbit
come out Of his hole, if you wish to cat
es- him for if you ask him to come out, he v
cling only burrow deeper, Let a Frenchm
think he possesses secret which you des
81 to obtain, and he is the most adroit man
= concealing even his own knowledge of
o., that the world affords but let him talk 10
rs enough, and he will tell you his family |
- tory hom the day his grandfather first s
light, and he will not omit even the p
cadilloes Of some maiden who could not
sist the handsome aid e-camp Of Gene
So.so-no, not even If he confesses that
H behold in the person before you the re!
D. of that unfortunate liaison.,
= "Well," said my new friend, VI tn
2 that the man l want to see is or has b
, in Boston. ] traced him to New Yt
nys thence to Montreal, and then | have p
tive information that he came here, but
is all / know"
y, of "But, after you find him, what if he
,leve, fuses to disclose his secret? Ifit is Sc
Hs si is worth having, it may be worth his keep
at ALI If there arc others interested, others
possibly pay him for his silence d
OK N'Thati is possible, but in his case not
- bable. He is rich counterfeiter in his
pectations, but if he is suffering for me
he may divulge. f',e. .-.,,..
mo-. :, a.. 19.'I don't understand your meaning"
noi t.Thati is true, for you, do not know
.Sliss case; if you did you would understand
'aag case very clearly
3, 81 have no doubt l should. But in
n can | be Of service to you?"
~ "Possibly you may have seen him.
SEQ IL TALL handsome young fellow, a
twenty-eight, with light eyes, and ,
lne. when at home, thin moustache. He,
ums little lame, and when he lett Paris, $
} ,,a. teirht months since, could speak but
5iENTs Il little English. "
~ isAnd," added, 'he lost at some p
a1e of his life the upper joint Of one OF hi
ont for gers on his left hand, thinkY'
PRICE "Great heavensr exclaimed the a
I'm a whisper, "and where is he2" N
~ laTbat IS Thy secret" 81, Y,