The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1882-01-28
A FRENCH KNIGHT OF THE ROAD.

FRENCH KNIGHT OF THE ROAD,
During the Regency of Philip Duke of Orleans
and the early part of the reign of Louis the Fiji
tenth, organized bands of highwaymen, headed
by leaders whose audacious ingenuity for several
years completely baffled the vigilance of the
police not only infested the remote provinces of
France, but even the immediate neghborhood
of Paris, and not unfrequently the capital itself
The most redoubtable caefs of these marauders
were Cartouche Whose exploits, besides having
| furnished the theme of contemporary poem by
the actor Grandval, and of a comedy by Legrand,
form the subject of one OF Ihackerays most
graphic sketches) and his scarcely less notorious
rival Poulailler, few passages in whose adven-
tsrous career are from their characteristic sim
gularity, worth recording.
| According to all accounts, he was of very diff
ferent stamp from the majority of his associates,
having received fair education, and being
naturally endowed with a more than average
! share of intelligence. His personal appearance,
moreover, was sufficiently attractive to enable
him to sustain without disadvantage whatever
character the exigencies of his profession J"
might compel him to assume What first led
| him to the road is not stated, nor is anything
known of his parentage except that it was
respectable an epithet scarcely applicable to
his own mode of life. 1t Isl however, certain that
at a comparatively early age he had already
planned and accomplished several daring rob-
berries one of which, in particular, chiefly owing
to the social position of the victim, became for
some days the talk of the town. Among the au-
dience at the opera on gala-night was lady Of
high rank, whose splendid display of jewels at
! L,oo Lotto
especially, Of the finest water, exciting the envy
of the surrounding fair ones, one of whom
a princess of the blood royal, was so struck
with their brilliancy that she had eyes for moth
ING else and extolled their magniticence in a
voice sufficiently loud to be overheard by the &C.
cupants of the pit, where PoHlailler, disguised
for the nonce as an irreproachaby attired gallant
of the period was standing. While most of his
neighbors were discreetly smiling at the august
lady's enthusiasm, the idea occurred to him that
| he might possibly profit by it; and quietly leay-
his place, he made his way to the box where the
queen of diamonds sat enthroned, and after apo
| logizng for the intrusion, informed her that the
princess whose admiration Of the bracelets had
not been observed by their wearer had charged
| him to request her to entrust one of them to her
for few minutes, in order that she might ex-
anime it more closely. Highly flattered, Madame
de B Immediately unclasped the ornament
and handed it to her visitor, who, with many as
surances that the greatest should be taken OF
it. withdrew, and naturally made off with his
booty. Half an hour elapsed without any sign
of his temperance, and at length Madame de
B, growing impatient, summoned an at
tendant and dispatched him with respectful
message to her royal highness soliciting the re-
turn Of the bracelet as the conclusion Of the per-
Torrance was approaching. The princess, in re-
| ply sent word that she never had it, nor should
under any circumstances. have taken the liberty
of asking for it and the unfortunate owner, con-
| WINGED that she had been the dupe of an ingeni-
Gus thief, was fain to console herself by reflect
ing that it might have been worse, as she had still
one bracelet left. Some days later, an individual
in the orthodox garb of police official presented
himself at her hotel bringing the welcome
intelligence that the missing jewel had been re-
covered, and would be restored to her by the
magistrate in whose charge it had been deposited
as soon as the latter had satisfied himself, by
comparing it with the second bracelet, that it
was really the one she had lost. Madame de
B, overioyed at the news and not entertain
at once delivered the precious object into the
hands Of the supposed exempt" and, it is need
less to add, never saw him or either Of her
bracelets again.
Although, in the early part of his career
Poulailer usually conducted his operations
single-handed he nevertheless occasionally avail
ed himself of the aid of an accomplce, as in the
following instance: Strolling into the theatre one
evening, he remarked among the spectators q
well-known marquis, evidently more bent or
displaying his airs and graces then on listening
to the actors and every and then indulging
, in pinch of snuff from a magnificent gold box
set round with brilliants. The opportunity was
too tempting to be withstood, and Poulailler
who had already recognized confederate stand
ing at one of the side entrances of the pit, con
, trived to exchange a few words with him, after
which he quietly edged his way through the
crowd, and placed himself Immediately behind
the marquis. Presently, addressing the latter
in low tone, he inquired if he might take thu
liberty of requesting him to turn his face little
to the right.
t "Why SOP" asked the astonished beau.
? Z" / ought not to betray secrets, monsieur" was
| the reply; but you will not perhaps be offend
ed if l tell you that a friend of mine of ou1
most talented painters-who is standing near tn,
c pit door ON our left, has been commissioned by