The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-09-22
FOUND IN AN OLD RUIN.
The Singular Adventures Of Paul
Limace.

When the widowed mother of Paul Linn
ace died, her uncle and aunt, Mons and
Mad Colin, adopted the little orphan.
They lived away down in Bourgogne, France,
near the town of Thoissey, on the bank of
the Saone, They We're well-to-do people,
owned a tinely-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-
non. When he grew up they put him in
care of pious cure, who prepared him to
enter a 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 he attained his ma
turity, he told his uncle and his aunt of his
de ermination. They were in a dreadful
way over what they considered Paul's de
lection from piety, and tried hard to dis
suade him from his purpose, When they
utterly failed they renowned him and told
him to depart and Shift for himself.
Paul's mother had left 5000 francs, and
he demanded and received what was left of
it-675 francs. Then he started to Paris to
make a living. He was innocent as to the
ways of the world. When he reached the
great city he hired a room and read the adj
Vertisements in the newspapers. He APP
piled for many situations, but did not sue
coed. Finally he saw an advertisement
which directed those who desired genteel
employment and good pay to call at a certain
place Thither went Paul, and found that
the advertisers were Richat & Co, who de-
scribed themselves as commission agents
Mons. Richat was a short, pompous
gentleman, with a large display of shirt
front and cuffs, and clean-shaven face
He sat in the rear of the two rooms used
by the firm. Mons Bichat, the other men,
Der of the firm, was tall young man, with
elegant manners and a lovely mustache
He did the talking and received all Corners
il struck Paul that it was rather singular
that two gentlemen with names so very
much alike should have come together into
partuership-Richat and Bichat-but still
it made no unfavorable impression on his
mind at the outset.
After explaining that Paurs occupation
if they came to terms-would consist in
copying papers and depositing moneys in
the bank and drawing them therefrom,
Mons Bichat said:
80 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 a certain sum, which at the end OF
three months will be returned to you.n
Mons. Bichat turned to a pile of bank
notes and counted them. Paul unused for a
moment and then said
"How much would you require?n
Mons. Bichat went on counting the notes
and took no notice for several seconds Then
he said:
''Ah, pardonI How much did you say you
could deposit if we employed you!"
Paul was just going to rC.)ly that he hat
named no sum, but he thought that per
haps, it would be better to allow the gentle
man to believe that he was mistaken; ant
so he replied:
81 think l might deposit two hundred
francs"
"A 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. Wher
he returned he begged Paul to write from
dictation, which he did. Then he gave hin
column Of figures to add and a sum in in
forest. Once more he retired to the rea
room and did not return for fully fifteei
minutes. On coming back, he said
''We have agreed to engage you for three
months at a salary of one hundred francs
month, paid as before stated. on your de
posting with us the sun of three hundred
francs"
Next day Paul came with the money ant
went to work. A man with a very red fac
came bouncing into the room about midda,
aud asked for NJ Richat.
"Whatis that! asked M. Bichat.
"A note made by Francois Richat is pro
tested, and ! desire TO see the gentleman,
said the man.
"Francois Richat That is very strange,
said NJ. Bichat. "Who sent you hitherW
G'Iwas told this was his business place.