Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1867-04-11
French Sharpers.

4 i
a couple of incidents strikinglJ
illustrative of the .f'aesse, simple
ity, and self-possession of French
sharpers. He says:
There is a money-changer, OF
broker as you would call him, on
the rue Kvienne, within a few
steps of the Bank of France
One day, about the hour of closing
business, parsonage alighted from
a carriage and entered the above
mentioned office. This individual,
whose department was distinguish
ed and official in style, was accom-
panied by one who seemed his
clerk. He inquired for Mons. =,
the principal of the office, and,
after showing him beneath his
coat a red sash, (the insignia of
rank of certain civil .oflicials,) he
proceeded to express his regret in
being compelled to proceed as his
duty forced him.
There has been lodged at the
Prefecture OF Police q complaint
against you for the issue of fraud
ulent checks. The administration
OF the Prefecture disbelieves the
charge; but you will perceive
that as it comes from a quarter
that we cannot disregard, the
sooner the inquiry is terminated
the betteri it will be for your in
terest. Dismiss your clerks, and
proceed with my assistant to col
lect all your valuables, your pa
pers and books!"
Mons speedily complied,
confident as he was of his inno-j
cence. The papers of the con-
Germ were all carefully sealed by
the gentlemanly agent of the
police, and the money and notes
were also arranged in q secure
package. These were conveyed
to the carriage in waiting, accom-
panied by the proprietor. The
trio was conveyed, with a solemn
lty of aspect suitable to SO grave
proceeding, across the Pnt Me,I
to that immense pile of tumble
down buildings that hold the
and varied secrets of the
police business of the city of Pa
ris. There the carriage stopped;
md the supposed agent, gathering
up the packages of valuables,
llighted with his assistant and
entered the office of the Prefect-
ure, bidding the unluclNy broker
wait in the carriage till sent for.
lie waited an hour or more, and
inally discovered that the sharp :
er who had duped him out of his
1ank-notes and coin had entered
,ne door and issued from another
n the rear, and to this day has
never been heard from.
The next case, that of a jewel
n in the Ralais Royaie, was equal
y adroit and equally successful.
IN the window of his store was
a set of diamonds valued
It many hundred thousand francs.
Some worthy, whose wits formed
lis only source of income, con- ,
.eived the brilliant idea of acquir- ;
ng those diamonds without fur
an equivalent. Certain
,indred spirits, who loved a prac- :
ical joke of such satisfactory
dimensions, consented to act as
Iccomplices, ard were rewarded
or their address by the success {
ul accomplishment of their rogue i
y. One evening two well dress {
d gentlemen-a varnish of fash :
enable attire and self-possessed de- 4
neanor seems to fulfil the modern {
for that word--en- ]
cred the diamond merchants 7
hop and desired to look at some q
{ his goods. While one of them I.
Eas bargaining for o ring, the |
ther coolly seized the diamonds '
n the window and rushed off
nth his prey. The former fol-
owed, and as the merchant hur- G
led to the door he deserted a t
oliceman passing. Pointing to r
he robbers. he explained in a few 9
fords his loss. r
'sRemain here" said the sergent- e
Grille. ''Guard your store, for
heir accomplices may take ad-
antage of your absence. I will (
ecure the thieves u