Litchfield enquirer., 1880-02-05
..., From the Supplement Litteraire du Figaro.l
 MANDRIN, A DESPERADO OF THE sts vi LAST CENTURY.
TRANSLATED BY MRS. E, W. f1Ar1NER.

ganlze0 oand or followers lived first in thu mountains of Dauphine, and afterwards ir those of Savoy. Victor, Marquis de Mirabeau
 writing to his brother the bailli at his govern ment in Guadaloupe in 1752, and prognost eating the tempest gathering over France | says, 'Mandrin, the head of the smugglers has routed two regiments or detachments, killed thirty-five men, wounded many, and 1 taken three officers" ,. .~,- .I There exists in private library in Paris a very rare old pamphlet, written the year after Mandrin was broken on the wheel, by some one who was perfectly acquainted with his story Around the known facts of his history have sprung up many fables, and it may De interesting to trace by the help of the old pamphlet writer, the career of celebrated robber of the, old school. ss He was born at Saint Etienne de Saint Geoirs in Dauphine, on May 30, 1714, and received the name of Louis. His father was Of low condition, and got precarious living partly by theft. Some counterfeiters, how ever, taught him their business, after which he felt himself upon the road to fortune, but he was soon betrayed to the police, fired on the q0''des cdGmpetTes sent to capture him, and was killed in return by one of them.<
 Young Louis, on hearing of his father death, vowed vengeance against the authori- ties. He began by acquiring the art of coin ing. He was rapidly gaining reputation when the war of 1733 broke out and he enlisted in the army.
 He made a good soldier at first, but soon grew tired of discipline and deserted with two of his comrades. His captain who had taken a liking for him, would neither de- nounce him to the authorities as deserter, nor erase his name from the muster roll, hop ing by kindness to win him back to his colors. Mandrin had in the meantime returned to his old employment of counterfeiting, and was as successful as ever. The kindly captain hav- ing come on business of his own into the neighborhocd of Saint Etienne sent for younger Mandrin, and informed him that if Louis did not rejoin his regiment in week, it would be his duty 10 send his name in to the authorities.
 Mandrin on hearing this became very angry He set spies at once on the movements of his officer, and found that on his way back to his regiment he would pass through wild moun- tain gorge attended by one servant only. Mandrin rode armed to this spot and waited for his coming. As soon as he saw him he went to meet him, and humbly begged him not to be his ruin. He offered him money enough to buy substitute, and pointing to a little farmhouse on the hillside, where he said his mother lived, he begged him to go in there and to draw up the necessary papers. The first crime of Mandrin was the most atrocious in his life. The officer accepted the proposal without suspicion. As soon as he was en- tangled in the windings of the path, Mandrin drew close to him and fired pistol He fell, sand before the servant could turn his horse or draw pistol from his holster he too was shot dead at his masters side.
 At this point in his story the old pam phleteer makes pause to describe the subject of his narrative. "Mandrin had talent" he says" great skill, and wonderful good fortune. He had natural eloquence, and could talk over those he desired to win. His imagination was active, he had courage to plan great enter- prlses, and bOldness to execute them. He never hesitated at any crime that he thought necessary to carry out his projects, especially if they had to do with any schemes of revenge. And yet there was a soft side to his character. He looked innocence itself Only when you gazed full into his eyes could you detect the savage temper which broke forth in moments of rage. He was always talking about probi- ty and honest men, but nobody ever possessed less honesty than he did. He was tall and we'll made; with black hair, heavy eyebrows, an aquiline nose, regular features, broad chest, handsome legs, and prodigious muscu lar development.
 The old biographer goes on to say that he was not inscnsble to the tender passion in deed his first attack of the love-malady was violent and excessive.
 A rural gentleman had died, and left two lovely daughters. Mandrin fell madly In love with the younger one. He ventured to write to her candestinely, and to send her presents. They were returnsd to him. This rejection of his suit filled him with despair. One of his men seeing, something had gone wrong with him asked him what was the matter and Mandrin made him his confdant. The brigand, who was keen observer, said in reply. "I see why she will not listen to you. She is noble You of course have not told her much about yourself. Take my advice visit her family; call yourself Monsieur du Mandrin, talk about my estates my ser wants, my horses my carriages They are simple, inexperienced country folk, you will soon take them in, and love will flourish un- der shelter of your nobilitY.'
 'You have opened my eyes!" cried Man. drin. II begin to see that my connection with the people ill suits the rank and pride of her I love. Henceforward l am Monsieur du Mandrin. But can keep up the character ?" g That's easy enough, my captain. Get lackey, give him orders to call you Monsieur le Baron necessarily, appear at your ease frown on everything that savers of vulgarity do not acknowledge acquaintance with any
 
 bles; stroke your chin; lounge back in an armchair start up abruptly humming tune, and when you walk throw all your weight, not on your heels, but on your toes. Then all her relations will be sure to say, This man is of distinguished birth, no common person would so conduct himself in the presence of noblemen.' .-.gt ..s- .
 .Mandrin carried out these instructions. It helped his suit greatly to be supposed baron. He was considered to have the ''guinea stamp" and the next time he spoke of love there was no talk of dismissing him. Isaura -the young lady-loved him with heart and soul. Meantime business was not neglected. Coining and smuggling went 5riskly on, but MaRdrin; began to feel the need of some secure and comfortable retreat for himself and for his band, where they might be safe from the prying eyes of the ns0reehGussee. '.' '"'' One of his followers -Roquairol by name who took part in all the adventures of his captain, showed him one day handsome chateau, which had belonged to an old prOcatT- eur or attorney -at-law.
 o It was situated on high ground, had deep moat and several towers, casemates, and un- iderground passages. While Mandrin was gazing at it, his companion informed him that its owner was just dead. t'Would you like to take possession of it ?" he continued ''You can have it if you will do as,I tell you. In 8 fortnight we can be installed there" Q Mandrin, who knew his followers resources, at once put himself and his band under his orders l1 Roqnairol, we'll aware of the super stitions ot the neighborhood, laid his plans to turn them to his own advantage ''The chances are,'' he argued, ''that the old attor- ney had plenty of lllgotten gains. We will goat midnight and make noise of demons through the house, knock about the furniture, and maltreat the inhabitants. The servants will all run away no one will stay in haunt ed chateau 'aa$ I'. sass's 5I-~e
 The body of the l,r0eUretr was inferred in a church of the Capucines in neighboring vil- lage. Roquairol made careful examination of the localities. On the evening of the funeral he got into the chateau with four men whom he stationed in different parts of the building The widow sat alone in her bed d-chamber,-- f the servants were making merry in the kitch- .en Roquairol went straight to the room whpre}t the old attorney had dieds and hepaD tO