The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-12-19
The Uliterate RObber.

While sitting over our chocolate at
Brignon's, the conversation turned upon
robbers and robberies in the French me-
tropolis, when enc of our number, Jules
Lafout, related the following:
A gentleman who had been out late on
a very dark night was returning home
with lighted lantern in his hand, and
while passing over the Pont Neuf he was
accosted by q stranger in q manner 80
polite and SO supplicating that he at
once stopped.
"You have a light" said the stranger,
"and will perhaps do me the kindness to
read for me this bit of paper which /
Rave just picked up. 1t may be of con-
sequence
The gentleman held up his lantern
and looked first upon the applicant,
whom he found to be strong built, sim
envy man, heavily bearded, and very re-
specially dressed. Then he took the
paper, and, to his amazement, read as
follows:
"When you have read this, speak not
word Speak, and you die ! Give to
me your watch, your jewelry, and your
purse Do this, and then silently de-
part, and you may live.--Beware
Daring robberies had recently been
committed IN Paris by bold and desper-
ate men, and the gentleman had no
doubt that he had met one of the frater-
Iity. He had no weapon of defence
with him, and not caring to ieopardize
his life, he concluded it most prudent to
fellow the directions thus silently given,
and accordingly he took out his watch
and his purse, and removed his rings and
his bosom pin, and delivered them up, at
the same time taking another careful
survey of the strangers face, SO that he
might recognize him, should he ever
after meet him. Having done this with
out opposition, he made his way over the
bridge as rapidly as possible.
A week or more had elapsed when, one
day, as the gentleman was standing
his robber friend of the Pont Neuf pass
ing near at hand. Keeping the man in
sight until he could call in the aid of the
police he had him arrested and taken be-
fore magistrate, and upon ful repre-
sentation by the gentleman OF all the
circumstances and upon direct accusa-
ton of the robbery, he was sent to pris-
on. When the robber was brought to
the bar for tlial he picked his teeth and
stroked his beard very unconcernedly
and in answer to the indictment he
pleaded not guilty most Gssnredly. The
gentleman, who wac the only witness ot
the fact against the prisoner, swore pos.
itively TO the robbery, and the identity
of the person.
The prisoner made his own defence
and he did it with an ease and assurance
to be found only in the most accom-
plished OF his class.
my lords and gentlemen" he said
"I confess that on the evening specified
did meet this gentleman on the Pom
Neuf; and the scene, as he has related
it, transpired between us. But, cisl
had no evil thought. 1t is my misfor
tune not to be able to read. l had jus
picked up bit of paper, and thinking i
might be of Importance, and seeing tina
the gentleman had lighted lantern il
his hand, I asked him to read it fer me
would have asked him what he ha(
found, but before 1 could speak he pulled
out his purse and his watch, and thrus
them into my hands, and also forced
upon me his finger rings and diamond
pin. was astounded. 1 thought hin
mad-perhaps he meant to jump from
the parapet into the river,--suicide.-
Vas it the paper had caused this ?-Ha'
It been meant for him RI was upon tn
point of questioning him when he turne'
and dashed away, leaving me, for tn
time, like one stupefed. When 1 recov
cred myself the thought flashed upoI
. me that the paper might be of grea
value,--some state secret, perhaps
and the stranger, wishing to keep
without question, had given me his val
uables to get rid Of me. Ma fol I thin
it is l who have right to complain.
would like justice for the useless excite
ment l have suffered"
Not soul in court but believed tn
rascal was guilty; but no formal dc
mand upon the gentleman for his none
had been proved, and the man VIII
could not read, but who could plead wit
the grace of a Foquet, was suffered to 9
free.