The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-05-06
[sOecial Correspondents OF the World

IsDecia1 Correspondence OF the World
PARIS, April 20.-There ia nothing that re-
joicfs the Partisan public like sensational
murder. In the excitement 1t creates every
thing else is forgotten. III the murderer
writes lettres d'esprit and pretty verses, like
Lacenaire, the joy is turned into general
delirium. Lscsnai.e, the author and muir.
6erer of a dozen fifteen years ago, had
more vogue at the time than even Victor
Hugo. Ii has been always so in France.
Nine. de SeYinge wrote more letters con-
corning the pcissner B,invilliers than about
the great Turenne, and the murderer o.
1iquet was more talked of in the Court of
Louis XIV. than tho victory OF Domain. Ths
names Of Menesclon and Troppm2n are
known to more Parisians to day than are
those of any two members Of the French
Academy.
The present Fra Diavolo is youth named
Charles MaTcbsndon. who, until his arrest
Tor murder ia the Rae de Sezs, lived the
life OF fashionable country gentleman,
supporting himself and his pretty mistress
on the proceeds of series of daring rob-
berries that puzzled the ingenuity Of Partisan
police and detectives. Msrchandon is
young man of tTenty-oEe years, OF elegsnt
figure aud faultless dress. He is remarkably
handsome. and his besTdless face and soft
mild eyes give him look of chidiiks limo.
cence. He belongs TO q highly respectable
family living at Baugnolles He has been
a1 estsd on several occasions but always sue.
cseded in etfectiDg his escape by his cool au-
daoity and cleyeTness. About seven months
ago he hired = pretty country house from a
ret nail in ho q IN. NJ
CCmpeigne, where he lived lite.of elegance
and luxury with Jeanne Balm. a pretty girl
from the provinces. He adopted a new
method OF maintaining this pleasant and
Injurious existence. Ills custom was to go
10 Paris from time TO time on business. as mis-
friends were informed, and to present himself
at at intelligence office in search of employ
ment. Owing to the handsome face and at
trsctive appearance, he had no difficulty in
gaining admission to the mansions of some
OF the most wealthy citizens Of Paris, esps-
clally when 1t was the mistress OF the house.
hold herself who visited the Office. He
usually remained for few days till be no.
Gated" all the valuables and jewelry in the
house. and rs vould then suddenly disap-
pear and the valuables with him. Complaint
after comp lsint had been lodged against him
under the various names he assumed, but
The police found themselves always baffied.
III few months ago he stole 10 600 francs from
resident IN the Rue de Marignan, and to
throw the police off his track he went imme-
diately and engaged himself with NJ. Worth
the famous cauturier, as valet de chambre,
nnder his real name of Charles Msrchandon.
detective ere long appeared and took the
valet into custody. Marchandon made not
the slightest resistance. and seemed not in
the least disturbed. He chstted with the
detective as they walked, and at an oppcT-
tune moment trippid him up, threw him
heavily on the ground, and was out or
sight before the detective had recov-
cred from his surprise. MaIchsndon
boldly returned to NJ. Worths and ex.
claimed to the servants, with an air of in
lured innocence: Did any ons ever hear of
such misfortune? l was arrested by mis-
take for some other prisoner, bat / hsd no
difficulty in establishing my innocence
The detectives, not dreaming that the pris.
oner would return TO Wofth's, did not thinS
Of going there, and Maychandon's escape was
EASY. On the occasion of each steal Mar
chandon was accustomed to go to al old
clothes vomsn's shop and procure disguise
with which TO escape from the city.
MaTcband0n's country residence ct Com
peigne was a model OF elegance and good
taste. Thousands of francs were expended
In fitting it up to the hiking OF his gay young
companion. He kept salon which was fire.
quented by the most refined residents Of the
tewn and vicinity. Il was enriched with
rare coriosiiies of decorate art. some of which
were adorned with bis initials aud 9 counts
oak and the cuTtsins OF rose-coiored silk.
In one chamber was q Henri Ii. bed, covered
with red satin spread the pillows EN- broid-
cred with the initials J. b " and counts
cofones and the curtains Ia black silk In a
WARDROBE was complete Uniform of a gsnd-
srme- The sol dissnte Nine. MarchaDdon
had among her belongings an ebony cas-.
ket, also surmo1nted by the coroaet IN
which were found many packages of letters
received By her before her connection with
Marcbandon began. Each batch was care
fully arranged and Endorsed Correspond.
aDee du Chateau du - or Correspond
ance du lie Marquis - and so on These
had evidently been kept for hlsckmsiling
purposes She kept also diary entitled ale
Petit Livre de Mes Souvenirs Several al
buns filed with portraits of the cavalry Of
ficers OF the Compeigne garrison aud OF other
neignbors were on the tables of the salon.
and the msntelpiece was portrait of Mar.
shsl MacMahon, with .Vive de Roi" written
underneath it. The Legitimists OF the hour
all gathered there.
To bis neighbors Marchandon represented
himself as an illegitimate son of Worth, of
Paris. who had settled on him generous
monthly allowance. He was regarded Is .