The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-07-27


toned, and when in the middle of it,
poor Durance was shocked to see the
men halt, and turn round to observe
him, as if simultaneously. The mer-
chant was at this time but short dis
tance from them, and could not help
drawing up his horse also for moment.
While he was in this situation, one of
the men, after an apparent consultation
with the others, left them, and advanced
to our friend.
snow is the time" thought Durance,
"here comes the demand for my purse
What is to be done ?" And the worthy
SOULS heart sank within him, as he
thought of the heavy sum which he
bore.
When the man came up, however,
there was no demand of this kind made.
The strangers first words to Durance
were: " What is your purpose here ?"
The merchant hesitated, and at length
stammered out, 81 am come-upon an
honest errand, hope-like yourselves.
"Ah, I thought so," replied the stran-
ger. Then, after moments pause, he
continued. "Well, what will you take
to go away2 viii you take one hun
dred louis ?"
Mystified thoroughly, Durance, almost
by accident bolted out "Nol" The
man again spoke, and said, 81 cannot
offer you more without speaking to my
companions" With which words he
turned away and rejoined his band.
M. Durance never was so much puz-
zled in his life, but his spirits rose as he
saw no intention on the part of the men
to injure him, and he waited quietly
till the stranger's..return. That person.
age was not long away, and when he
returned to the merchant, bag of
money was in his hand. This bag he
held out to Durance, saying, We have
come to the resolution of just offering
you three hundred louis-here they are
If you choose to go away. Now do
take them," continued he; "upon my
word we cannot offer more" Durance
sat more bewildered than ever, and was
about to speak, when the bag was thrust
into his hand by the stranger, who at
the same time said: "Now, do take it
without another word. 1t will be as
well for you, perhaps, as you are alone;
and I can tell you there are some deter
mined fellows yonder, who would think
r1nfhfrc, RI Arixyo off Int for
a compromise, and, upon my honor, we
cannot give more" With this the man
turned to move away. Part of his last
speech had made a wonderful impress
sion on Durance, who, though utterly
unable to tell the meaning of all this,
thought it wise to pocket the bag, and
ride onwards. He did so, and soon lost
sight of the strangely liberal party he
had met.
M. Durance continued his route peace
fully, till nightfall, pondering all the
way on what had passed, yet incapable
of coming to any conclusion on the
subject. On reaching the village where
he proposed to rest all night, he was
Joined by his servant, Joseph Demaray,
with the chariot, and on the ensuing
day they pursued their journey in this
vehicle. Nothing of interest occurred
throughout their further progress, until
they reached the very gates of Paris.
But just as the vehicle was passing the
barrier, gentlemanly looking person
came up to the carriage side, and thus
addressed M. Durance: "Sir, you will
have the goodness to go with me"
What ~ said the merchant, "whither
must go 2 and why Z" In low tone
of voice, and with the utmost civility,
the gentleman replied, "You will permit
me to have the honor of conducting you
to M. Fouche." M. Fouchel" ejacu-
lated M. Durance, in no small alarm at
the thought of what the famous head of
the police could want with him: 81
have committed no offense,I have bro
ken no law, and 1 cannot understand
why / should be sent for by''-The
stranger cut short this speech by saying,
1 have been waiting for some time
upon you, Sir, being instructed that you
would arrive in a carriage like this; and
your person, portmanteau, and every
thing about you, answer the description
given to me. / cannot, therefore, be
mistaken in the party, and you viii
have the goodness to attend me to M.
Fouche, who will himself explain his
business with you, which is more than
l can do" There was no resisting this