Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-04-10
4 SUPERIOR KNAVE.

II am going TO tell you story OF rea
,ife," said a friend to me in the club the
other night-a friend who has lived il
many countries and seen very much O
the world.
MANY years ago L was living In {
furnished apartment in Paris. One day
my servent brought me the card of Mr.
Charles Dumont. The name was not
known to me, but I told him to show the
gentleman in. A tail and very good.
looking fellow entered. Hewas extreme
ly well developed and l noticed particular
ly that he wore three very handsome mala-
chite studs, and sleeve buttons of the
same material He addressed me in q
frank and hearty manner.
"'You do not know me, Mr.. -, he
said, but we ought to be well acquaint-
ed, for / am nephew of your dear old
friend Colonel Charles Merritt, of New
Orleans, and have heard him speak SO
often and SO warmly about you that !
cannot regard you as a stranger
II was extremely prepossessed by the
young fellows appearance, and delight
ed to meet a countryman OF good con-
nections with time on his hands.
1--WE soon became very intimate and
were much together for some weeks
thenceforward. Dumont was a very &C,
complished and agreeable man, and
found him most excellent company.
zone day, returning from joureny, L
COLL from u Cpr0n0nf do villa
1 had no idea what he could want with
me, but 1 soon learned.
".Pardon, monsieur" said he 4 am
sorry to trouble you, but do you know one
Mr.. Charlas Dumont?''
eyes, very WE'LL said 1.
MAY I ask if you know him well in
American
81 was about to answer that 1 did
when I suddenly recollected that / did
not know him well in America. So ]
aid, i knew his family and friends there,
cry we'll
az regret to inform you, monsieur,
said the officer, that he is in custody,
and that his extradition for the crime of
forgery is demanded by the United
States. Will YOU go with me and see
himg
.Of course, l assented, and in short
time, and after elaborate formalities L was
taken to cell in the prison of st. Pelagie,
where found my new acquaintance, ap-
parently in excellent health and spirits,
and iauntily wearing his malachite studs.
az am sorry to see you here said L.
How can such a shocking mistake have
been made"
".It was NO mistake at ALL said he,
standing erect, and with perfect GOODNESS.
Il am guilty.
"'Good heavens? What do you mean p
I cried.
az will tell you,' said he. 4 have
deceived you. Ny name is not Dumont
at all. 1t is Ashlly. 1 am the son of an
English gentleman, and lived in Wiscon-
sin until place was offered me as clerk
in commission house in New Orleans
Ny work was hard and my salary small;
bet I always dreamed of the day when I
would be rich and assume nv rightful
position in society. In this direction I
was desperately ambitious. One day
the devil tempted me. was sent to the
bank with check for fourteen dollars.
The humor seized me to alter it, as a Joke,
to one for fourteen thousand. I did this,
in the presence of the cashier. I assure
you that had not the slightest idea but
that the teller would notice the alteration
and take the thing as meantit To my
infinite surprise, he handed me the four
teen thousand dollars. When the money
was in my hand it suddenly occurred to
me that my opportunity had come. A
steamer was to sail for Havana in an hour,
and on that steamer took my passage,
having Just time to reach the wharf with
out luggage. From Cuba went to
Spain, then came to Paris. have been
here some time. have stayed too long,
and suppose some one has recognized me-
No matter; I have enjoyed myself to the
full, extent and now Unjust pay the piper.
I have only one favor to ask of you. I
am gentleman. Dc not let me be iron-
ed. I give my word not to jump over
board or try to escape in any way. And,
By the way, Of the $4,000 which
brought here I have JUS { 1000 left.