Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-01-21
FRENCH CRIMINALS.

The result of the Brussels lottery was to
be made known one evening in Paris. In
the time Of the Empire it was lawful to buy
tickets for this lottery three hours before
the arrival Of the courier with the list OF
winning numbers. With margin of three
hours there seemed to be no possibility OF
foul play, even among the clever sharpers
fore the arrival of the messenger, man
named Baudin presented himself at the
lottery office, bought certain number,
paid for it, and disappeared. That even
ing Baudin received a million of francs.
Napoleon the Great, however was not man
easily duped. Such a wonderful cOinci-
dence Of good fortune seemed somewhat
suspicious. He directed inquiry to be
made, and, after some time it was discov-
cred that Baudin had an accomplice at Brus-
sells who sent him the number of the win
ming ticket on the neck Of a carrier pigeon.
The pigeon could fly much faster than the
courier could ride, and Baudi. gained his
million for time. But he did not keep it
long for he lost money, liberty and life
too at the Bagne at Brest.
Fichon, fOrcH for life, condemned for
numerous autlacious crimes, had a trick of
breaking loose, spite of chains and bullet,
the guard and stone walls. One day he is
seen on the port quietly looking at his
companions-not attempting to escape, on
ly taking little free exercise on his own
account. Taken back to his bench-for he
was chained to a bench apparently immOv-
able-strictly watched and dOubly irOned,
next day he is found in his old place on the
port, again watching his companions and
whisting lie Position de Longjumeau."
The cOmmiSsary, q common man without
sympathies, orders NJ. Fichon to the cachot,
the dark underground cells.
"Here at least he will be SAFE" says the
common man, slipping his cGte noir.
Two days afterward he espies NJ. Fichon
strolling through the town of Toulon, his
hands behind his back, whistling as before,
and looking in at the shop windows.
"What are you doing here, Fichon""
"Why, my cCmmissary, what dOyou see.
am taking little walk. What do you
want me to do? / will obey. Must / 60
back from whence came:"
"As you please said the commissary
ironically; since it seems a settled thing
with you not to obey me any longer"
Fichon, hurt at such an insinuation, re-
turned to his cell. An hour afterward the
guard found the door locked, and Fichon
re-roned by his own hands but they nev-
capable Of filing or unrivetng his chains.
Andre Fanfan was even more clever than
Fichon. Andres foot used to itch and then
there was no holding him. He used to at
tempt real flight; Fichon only wanted Il
quiet stroll without irons. But both SEEM
ed to have secured the mandrake's power
over the bolts and bars. No walls could
hold them, no chains retain them, no balls
hit them. They were vulnerable only in
their facility of losing their liberty. They
never could keep free when they had got
loose. Fanfan was sure to be retaken before
twelve hours were over, and when he had
finished one sentence he was certain to soon
qualify himself for another. These two
men gave the guards many days outing.
1t was almost as much fun as hunting
a stag to hear the gun fired and the news
spread that Fanfan or Fich0n had escaped.
When they died the guards felt as if half
the amusement of their wretched lives had
died also.