The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-05-03

when they got into an alteration with
some workmen at an adjoining table. A
row ensued; swords and pistols were
freely used. The police rushed in, and
one of them, Mondelot, fell dead from
shot fired, it was declared, by female
Cartouchian named Manon-le-Roy. It
is at least certain that this distinguished
lady always carried arms, and equally so
that when, some time afterward, she was
arrested, she intrenched herself behind
her bed and for half an hour kept the
whole posse of police at bay. The
murders of Vergier and Mondelot
brought the name of Cartouche promi-
nently before the public. Henceforward
every audacious crime was laid to his
charge. Desperate attempts were made
to capture the formidable thief, but his
dexterity and skillfulness in changing
his costume stood him good friends.
The loose, half-ftting cloak, blue on
one side, red on the other, and capable
of being reversed in a moment of time,
owns him for a godfather. The police
would be in hot pursuit of man in red,
who fed Like deer around q corner.
When the pursuers followed on his
tracks he had disappeared, but they en-
countered a sedate individual in blue
strolling quietly toward them, who had
seen the aforesaid man in red dart into
a neighboring house or disappear down
some other street.
On one occasion the police, hearing q
row in the house Of pretty little lemon
ade seller known as Margot the Nun,
made a descent. They found a little
man, half drunk, tearing around the
room, firing pistols rightand left, to the
admiration of a mixed company OF both
sexes. He was arrested, and after a
while represented himself to be an hon
est chocolate seller who had unfortunate
ly taken drop to much. He was allow
ed to go after depositing one hundred
livres and gold snuff box as security
for his reappearance. No complaint
was made against him, and, in few
days he called at police headquarters and
reclaimed his property. 1t was Car
touche.
In December, 172O, he was captured
and confined in Fort pEveque, but in
spite of the terror inspired by this re-
doubtable robber, 80 slight were the pre-
cautions taken for guarding him that he
three months later effected his escape.
The authorities reused themselves to
unusual efforts for his recapture, and
hereupon an odd incident occurred. As
the officer of the criminal court was ut
tering the usual proclamation with the
sound of trumpet and outcry, calling
upon Cartouche to appear within eight
days and answer the charge of murder,
and had come to the words "ln the
kings name we do command the person
called 'Cartouche' -
Present, Cartouche p shouted q
voice in the center of the crowd, that
turned the whole body, archers, trum-
peters, citizens, and all, into frenzy of
rage and agitation. 1t was Cartouche
himself, but he had vanished.
Two persons now entered into SOL
emn league and covenant to pursue the
impalpable robber without rest or re-
spite till he should be slain or taken; ;
these were Huron and Pepin, bold and
clever officers in the service of the po-
lice. The chase opened i'll for our hero;
Huron tracked him so hotly as to ex-
change pistol shots with him, by which
Cartouche was said to have been seri-
ously wounded. It is certain that, either
to escape this persevering foe, or to re-
cover from his alleged hurts, he disap-
peared for three entire months from
criminal history, and the police exulting-
ly assured the public that he was driven
from the capital. They were soon made
painfully nware of his return.
A very large reward was now set on
his head, and Huron and Pepin again
devoted themselves to their task. The
zeal of both these officers proved fatal
to them. The former had one evening
tracked Cartouohe to notorious robber
haunt. Finding themselves likely to be
surrounded, the band, like wolves at
bay, turned suddenly upon Huron and
his followers. The officer received sew
eral pistol shots, and WAS then cut down
by Cartouche himself. A few days later
the robber chief, while taking a quiet
stroll with Madeleine Beaulieu, woman
belonging to the gang, perceived Pepin
at his heels. Turning suddenly on their
pursuer, Madeleine attacked him with
large stones, while Cartouche ran him
through the body.
A regular organized attempt was next
made, under tho direction of an aide
ma ajor of the Gardes Franchises, who
selected ninety of his best men and sent
them in various DISCUSSES, but well
armed, in quest of the single robber
chief. At this critical period of his
fortunes occurred what was known as
the affair Of the Hotel Desmarets.
Nicholas Desmarets, nephew of the
great Colbert, died on the sixth Of May,
at his hotel in the Rue des Petita
Augustins. This wealthy residence
Cartouche resolved should be thoroughly
pillaged. A chosen band, commanded
by their chief in person, forced an en-.
trance, and were busily at work in the
rich saloons when one of their lookouts
announced the approach of an absolute
army of police. The danger signal had
hardly been given before the enemy ap.
peared. A fierce fight commenced
from room to room, from stair to stair.
The robbers fought stoutly, but thei,
ammunition failed, and they were over.
borne by numbers. Cartouche escaped
by chimney, gained the roof, and de-
scended at some distance in the garret
OF good natured mechanic, to whom
he represented himself as a man pur
sued byhis merciless creditors. His hos
sympathized with him, provided hin
with disguise, and once more he brok.
through the tolls.
The regent now doubled the reward
and offered free pardon to any one, NJ
matter how guilty, who should betra,
his chief. Distrust now spread through
the band. and two murders of suspected
traitors quickly followed. But the hou
OF retribution 4. was at hand. On
Duchatelet-next to- Cartouche, tn
most ferocious Of these human tigers-ac
knowledged to himself Chat the game wa
neatly up. Plunged, as he was, in tn
deepest and deadliest crime, he saw bu
one chance Of safety, and that Was to de
nounoe his chief. ..,.,--....>
He made q bargain with Pekom, th,
aide-major Of the Gardes Franchises
procured promise Of pardon from th
regent, and then conducted a picket