The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-05-20
MhRIUs B0BGEARD's AMNESTY.
A Story Of One Good Turn and
Another.
III.

NJ Lesage was in the right, and he had
stated nothing untrue concerning M;
Marsault, of whom circumstances had
made rogue. We say circumstances,
because Nature had rather fashioned this
lawyer for playing the part OF an honest
man than Of a william He WAS grave,
quiet, discreet; he loved his ease; he had
no extravagant taste, such as gambling,
picture-buying, or china-fancylng; he
paid his taxes regularly, owed no trades
money, and would have lived to the end
of his days the most blameless life imagg-
inabie, had it not been for one ambition
he cherished-that Of becoming rich.
A French notary stands in position
exceptionally favorably for specuiatlng
with other peoples money. he is, IN
manner, a Government officer, as the
number of notaries is limited, and their
letters of appointment are signed by
Government. AS consequence, no
tary inspires more confidence than an
English solicitor. He is member OF a
corporation, who, from esprit de corps,
feel bound to make good any losses that
may be incurred by one of their number,
so that if he is robbed by his notary, the
Chamber of Notaries will pay him all
his dues. Thus, Frenchman makes a
notary his confidant; he takes advice OF
him about his marriage; he gives him
the title-deeds of his land, and puts into
his keeping all his savings under the
form of script. M. Marsault had in this
had become possessed OF all NJ. Benots
fortune. and had speculated with the
same as he had done with the money OF
other clients, hoping that he might en-
rich himself without doing them any
harm. Unfortunately, his speculatlons
had not always been successful, ,insomuch
that he had felt compelled to exert all
his influence on NJ. Benot in order that
the latter might bequeath his wealth to
Marius Bougeard, sooner that the notary,
Grugy, who would have made him Mar
sault) feel very uncomfortable by look
ing too closely into his accounts. But
Bougeard was in a penal colony; and 1t
was necessary not only to bring him back
pardoned, but likewise convince M. Be
not Of his Innocence, before the latter
could be persuaded to acknowledge him
as his heir. NJ Benot was meek little
man, who had picked up his wealth in
selling rabbit skins. On some questions.
however, he was more stubborn than
most of men who pass for obstinate, and
him to a revolutionary blackguard right
fully conviced of dishonesty.
That is why M. MaIsault had fnessed
so adroitly in order to get Marius' case
put into good hands; that is why he now
began to urge upon Pascal Ledoux the
necessity of acting and talking with en-
ergy on behalf of the ex-Communist.
1t was about a week after Ledoux had
commenced his operations by writing
letters to newspapers and to personages
in high office, that the idea occurred to
him of holding q grand amnesty meeting
in a public edifce. To do this it was
req uisite to obtain the Mayors permis-
sion; but the Mayor would not at first
give it, apprehending disorderly scenes.
Pascal referred to the Minister Of the
Interior, and after an exchange of let
tiers which, on being printed in papers,
served greatly to advertise his name, he
got the required leave, and announced
the meeting in flaming red posters thus
worded:
AMNESTY! AMNESTY! AMNEsrYl
IAN address on the cruel wrongs suffered
by a fellow-townsman of ours, the Citizen
Marius Bouyeard, will be delivered by NJ.
Pascal Ledoux and other patriots in the
Theater of Ville-Aabry, on Sunday next
at u. M. A collection will be made at
the doors on behalf of the exile. and ten
centimes admission money will be charged,
also for the exile's benefit.
'.Fellow-townsmen! attend in bodyr'
Pascal Ledeux was surprised at the
mass Of people which thisinvitation drew
on the appointed day; but he was soon
able to perceive that the sentiments Of
this mob were not unanimous. As soon
u han rrnF f1,ory
rushed in heiter-skelter, and presently
began to fight over the question as to
whether Marius Bougeard was a martyr
or a scamp. Many who had known him
declined to talk of him otherwise than
as an ill-conditioned vagabond of the
worst type; this naturally incensed the
enthusiasts on the other side. These
proved to be in majority, and they fa-
yored Pascal Ledoux with tremendous
acclamation when he marched upon the
stage of the theater in aswallow-tail coat
and white tie to deliver his address.
Standing at small table, Pascal had
behind him the members of the local
Amnesty COMMISSIONER unwashed
crew-while in the stage box to his right
he saw his pretty betrothed, Rosalie,
seated between her father and old NJ
Benot. The sight was enough to string
| the cords of PascaPs eloquence. Al
ter commencing with touching narra-
tive of the convict's early career, (narra-
tive occasionally interrupted by cat-calls)
he broke out into indignant rebuke of
persons who denied Bougeard's claims
on political saintship. 81 declare to you
aH.h he Dawled, "that when he comes
back he will become the glory Of our
town."
ssBoshl you'll be too happy to give
him a wide BERTH" fThis from an impa-
tient listener.l
'sI shall net give him wide berth.
NV house shall be open to him at all
times"
"Well, then, he'll borrow money OF
you, and eat out your 1arder."
'.I don't care for that, sir"
s.He'n drink up your wines"
esIJa SboIl ha frea fa drink and the