The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-06-26
THE CARPENTER OF MARMosTE.

IHE GahFEN LEX Uf MAhuUNIE.
harmonic was walled town in prov.
ince Of France. In one Of the houses near
the ramparts lived carpenter, named Be.
mott. He was a sober man, who said lit
tie. lie had followed several trades; been
a asoldicr; Travelled great deal; and had
many adventures but as he never spoke
of them, the towns-people thought he had
nothing good to tell. ....
The only person he was at all cordial
with was an old soldier named Trappe,
who had saved his life in battle. This
man was great talker and hoastcr, and,
Benoit suspected, knave. He had set up
BARRIERS shop in a street near by. One
evening he called upon Benoit, to ask him
to drink bottle Of wine at the ch.ral noir
with two old comrades who had served in
his regiment. At first Benoit refused
but when Trappe told him it was also the
anniversary Of the battle in which he had
saved his life, he accepted, and insisted on
paying the score. When he reached the
cabaret, he found two Unlocking fellows
whom he had never seen before. They sat
drinking together in the public room until
nearly eleven o'clock.
Benoit, after spending more money than
he had ever spent at an inn in Marmonte
before, bade them goodnight and went
home, followed by Trappe, who was talk
ing loudly. up to the room where Madame
Benoit and her son were. Trappe laugh
ingly forced them to drink two glasses Of
wine with him. Benoit, annoyed, walked
to the window, and when he turned around,
was astonished TO find Trappe gone. He
remembered this afterward, but thought
little Of it at the time, he was so sleepy
with the wine. He then fastened his doors
and windows and went to bed -..
The next morning he was astonished to
find his shop door ajar, and, on going up to
his lumber loft that the window was open.
He said nothing, for it was not his custom
to talk about what he did not understand.
On going to his work, he found the whole
town in excitement and talking about a
great robbery committed during the night.
He soon perceived, too that he was avoid
ed, and many cast strange glances at him.
Then he overheard a neishbor say:
II noticed Benoit's shOp-door opened
last night after eleven o'clock, a most un-
usual thing; no lights-police-"
He passed on, so Bcnoit heard no more
but his suspicious were aroused. lie felt
sure Trappe did not leave his house the
night before till all were asleep, and that
he had opened the door to the robbers
lie remembered the wine, too. He went
to the barber's shop.
''Trappe." said he, "thou hast saved my
life; | shall say nothing"
The next day Trappe disappeared.
From this time proofs seemed to accum
ulate against Benoit. The police fount
the tracks Of the robbers from his roof t.
the ramparts. A silver spoon belonging Z
family who had been robbed 'ot then
plate, was found under the window OF tn,
lumber-loft. Bcnoit was arrested ant
brought before the court. The judge asket
hun, Z" ii he left the door and window
opcnF'
he answered, 'No."
"Then," said the judge, "do you know
who did open them ?n
"Nu," said Benoit-for he did not Enoi
that Trappe had done it.
DO you suspect any one "
"No, monsieur. As am suspected un Il,
justly, have no right to suspect Others"
In short, he answered every question
honestly, without inculpating TraPPe
The judge, finding no proof against him
was obliged to set him free. i was eVl
dent to him, however. frUm the manner 9
his discharge, and the talk of the Peopl
about the court, that he was still suspect
ed. lie showed no emotion, but went quiet
ly home. After embracing his wife an
son, who were transported with JOY 10 SC
him again. be said to the latter:
Sylvester, you will hear everywnef
that although | am acquitted, am no e Ies
thought knaye. Be not disqueted tn
will not last forever" ,.I.;,
Ills wife was frightened at what he sal.
and did not believe it. She went out .
talk with her ncighboFs. Some turne
their backs and would have nothing 70 -
to her; Others looked at her with pity an
shrugged their shoulders, as Il to .Gy'
Poor woman, it Is not her iaqltF
Others declared to her Wh't 'he
thought.