The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1863-01-30
Crime Deteeted.-An AnecdOte Of
the Paris Police.

Previously to the year 1889, but at
what precise date I cannot say, the city
of Paris posessVA as guardian ofits safe.
ty, and chief minister ofpolice, man Of
Are talent and integrity At the same
period, the parish of. ST. Germans, the
quarters of II st. Antoine, had
for its cure, nod, venerable old man,
whose life was spent in doing GOOD
both the SOD pd bodies of N fellow
creatures, and whose holy consistency
| end dgnfed courage caused him to be
loved by the good ,<uand resisted by
teuen. the most aband d chaa0cters.
One cold, dark winters night the bell
at the old cure'S door was rung loudly
and he, although in bed, Immediately
arose and opened the door, anticipating
a summons to some sick or dying bed
A parsonage, richly dressed, with his
features partly concealed by large
false beard, stood outside. Addressing
the cura in courteous and graceful man /.
ner, he apologiSed for his unreasonable
visit, which as he said, the nigh reputa-
.tion of Monsieur had induced to make.
"a great and terrible, but necessary
and inevitable deed" he continued, "is
to be done Time presses; q soul about
to pass into eternity implores your min
istry. If you come you must allow your
eyes to be bandaged, ask no questions,
and consent to act simply as spiritual
cOusoler Of a dying woman. Ifyou re.
fuse to accompany me, no other priest
can be admitted, and her spirit must
pass alone"
After moment of secret prayer, the
cura answered, Il will go with you."-
Without asking any further explanation
he al lowed his eyes to be Damaged, and
leaned on the arm of his suspicious visi.
tor. They both get into coach, whose
windows were Immediately covered by
wooden shutters, and then they drove of
rapidly. They seemed to go o long
way, and make many doublings and
turnings ere the coach drove under o
wide archway and stopped.
During this time not o single word
had been exchanged between the trave.
lers, and ere they got out the stranger
assured himself that the bandage over
his companions eyes had not been dis.
placed, and then taking the old man
respectfully by the hand, he assisted him
to alight aud to ascend the wide steps
of a staircass as far as the door of the
second story, great door, opened, as il
of itself, and several photographed
rooms were traversed in silence. Al
length another door was opened by the
guide, and the cura felt his bandage re.
moved. They were in solemn looking
bed chamber; near bed, half yelled by
thick damask curtains, was small table
supporting two wax lights which feebly
Illuminated the cold death-like apart.
ment. The stranger Che was the duke
de y, then bowing to the cura, led
him toward the bed, drew back the cur
tains, and said, iu solemn tone
minister of God, before you is wo
who has betrayed the blood of her an
cestors, and whose doom is irrevocably
fixed. She knows on what condition;
an interview with you has been granted
her; she knows too that all supplcation
would be useless. You know your duty
NJ. lie Cura; leave You to fulfil it, anC
will return to seek you in half an hour.
So saying he departed, and the agi-
tated priest saw lying on the bed O
young and beautiful girl, baLhed in tears
battling with despair, and calling in hel
bitter agony for the comforts ofreligon
No investigation possible ! for the un
happy creature declared herfelf bount
by a terrible oath to conceal her name
besides, she knew not in what place sht
was.
Il am" she said, "the victim Of Sc
cret family tribunal, whose sentence il
irrevocable! More, l cannot tell.
forgive mine enemies, as ! trust Goo
will forgive me. Pray for mel"
The minister Of religion Invoked the
sublime promises of the gospel to sootht
her troubled soul, and he succeeded
Her countenance, after time, became
composed, she clasped her hands in fer
vent prayer, and then extended them to
ward her consoler.
As she did so, the cura perceived thai
the sleeve OF her robe was stained with
blood.
my child" said he, with trembling
voice, what is this?"
Father, it is the vein which they have
already opened, and the banbage, nc
doubt, was careleSsly put on"
At those words a sndden though
struck the priest. He unrolled the
dressing, allowed the blood TO flow
STEPPED his handkerchief within his vest
and whispered
Farewell, daughter; take courage
and have confidence in God"
The half.hour had expired, and tn,
step Of bis terrible conductor was heart
approaching,
II am ready" said the cura, and hav
y ing allowed his eyes to be covered, b
ook the arm Of the Duke de , ant
eft the awful room, praying meanwhile
with secret fervor.
" Arrived at the foot of the staircase
. old man succeeded, without BIZ
: dide's knowledge, in slightly displacine
g he thick bondage so as to admit par.
g fal ray Of lamplight. Finding hlmsel
I IN the carriage gateway, he managed u
4 stumble and fall, with both hands for
ward townrd dark corner The duk,
4 hastenedto raise him, both resumed thei
Nnlnnaa in the nnrrnina and aftar ranaas