The Progress., 1888-10-13
FOUND IN AN OLD RUIN
The Singular Adventures Of Paul
a Limace.


ace died, her uncle and aunt, Mons. and
Mad. Gozlin, adopted the little orphan.
They lived away down in Bourgogne, France,
near the town Of Thoissey, on the bank of
the Saone. They were well-to-do people,
owned a fnely-stocked farm, and had no
children Of their own. Paul was the only
relative they knew, so they took great care
OF Paul, and saw that he had a fine educa-
ton. When he grew up they put him in
care OF plous cure, who prepared him to
enter seminary, for he was to become a
priest. A very rigid and correct training
had Paul. and he did well with his books
and promised to become a learned cleric
This went on until he was twenty-one.
He was five feet ten, well built healthy and
good-looking. For some time he had made
up his mind never to enter the clerical pro-
fession, and, as soon as he attained his ma
turity, he told his uncle and his aunt Of his
determination. They were in a dreadful
way over-what they considered Paul,s de-
fection from piety, and tried hard to dis
suade him from his purpose. When they
utterly tailed they renounced him and told
him to depart and shift for himself.
Paups mother had left 5000 francs, and
he demanded and received what was Left of
it-6775 francs. Then he started to Paris to
make living. He was innocent as to the
ways Of the world. When he reached the
great city he hired room and read the ad-
vertisements in the newspapers. He ap-
piled for many situations, but did not sue
ceed. Finally he saw an advertisement
which directed those who desired genteel
employment and good pay to call st certain
place. Thither went Paul, and found that
the advertisers were Richat & Co., who de-
'scribed themselves asscommission agents.
Mons. Rlchat was a short, pompous
gentleman, with large display of shirt
front and cuffs, and cleans -shaven face.
He sat in the rear Of the two rooms used
by the firm. Mons. Bichat, the other mem
Der Of the firm, was tall young man, with
elegant manners and a lovely mustache.
He did the talking and received all comers.
1t struck Paul that it was rather singular
that two gentlemen with names SO very
much alike should have come together into
partnership Richat and Bichat-but still
1t made no unfavorable impression on his
mind at the outset. tsyss8
After explaining that Paul's occupation
If they came to terms would consist in
copying papers and depositing moneys. in
the bank and drawing them therefrom.
Mons. Bichat said: S.
$50 you see that the position is highly re-
sponsible, and in view Of that fact we shall
pay you liberallY-one hundred francs a
month. Observe: at the end of each month
that is how we pay. Observe further: to
show your readiness to fall in with our
usages it will be needful for you to deposit
with US certain sum, which at the end of
three months will be returned to YOU,
Mons. Bichat turned to a pile of bank
notes and counted them. Paul unused for a
moment and then said
How mnch would you require?',
Mons sBichat went on counting the notes
and took no notice for several seconds. Then
he said:
Ah, pardonl How much did you say you
could deposit it we employed you?',
Paul was just going to reply that he had
named no sum, but he thought that per-
haps, it would be better to allow the gentle
man to believe that he was mistaken; and
so ha replied:
II think I might deposit two hundred
francs'' [S9 :
IA small sum- Mons Bichat said. GA
small sum. Let me speak with my senior, >,
Mons. Bichat retired into the rear room
and stayed there fully. five minutes. When
he returned he begged Paul to write from
dictation, which he did. Then he gave him
q column of figures to add and q sum in in
terest. Once more he retired to the rear
room and did not return for fully fifteen
minutes. On coming back, he said:
5 I'VE have agreed to engage you for three
months at g salary Of one hundred francs a
month, paid as before stated. on your de-
posting with US the sum OF three hundred
francs. Il #7
Next day Paul came with the money and
went to work A man with a very red face
came bouncing into the room about midday
and asked for M. Richat.
WHAT'S that!' asked M. Bichat
"a note made by Francois Richat is pro
tested, and desire to see the gentleman
said the man. 4ssB
''Francois Richat! That is very strange. !,
said M. Bichat. ssWho sent you hither2',
III was told this was his business place. !,