Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1888-10-31
FOUND In AN OLD RUIN.
Che Singular Adventures Of Paul
Limace.

Che Singular Adventures or Paul
Limace.
When the widowed mother OF Paul Lin
ace died, her uncle and aunt, Mons and
Mad Collin, adopted the little orphan.
They lived away down in Bourgogne, France
near the town OF Thoissey, on the bank Of
the Saone. They were wel-to-do people,
owned finely 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 fine educa-
ton. When he grew up they put him In
care OF pious cure, who prepared him to
enter a seminary, for he was to become
priest. A very rigid and correct training
had Paul, and he did we'll with his books
and promised to become 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 tho clerical pro-
fession, and, as soon as 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 living. He was innocent us to the
ways Of the world. When he reached the
great city he hired room and read the ad-
vertisements in the newspapers He APP
piled for many situations but did not sue
coed. Finally he saw an advertisement
| Nvh ich hn
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 short, pompous
gentleman, with large display OF shirt
front and cuffs, and a clean shaven face
| he sat in the rear of the two rooms used
| by the firm. Mons. Biyhat, the other men,
Der OF the firm, was tall young man, with
elegant manners and n lovely mustache
He did the talking aud 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
partnership-Richat and Bichat-but still
It made no unfavorable impression on his
mind at the outset.
After explaining that Paul's occupation
II they came 10 terms-would consist in
copying papers and depositing moneys In
the bank and drawing them therefrom,
Mons. Bichat said
$50 you see that the position is highly re-
sponsible, and in view OF that fact we shall
pay you liberally--one hundred francs q
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 IL will be needful for you TO deposit
with us certain sum, which ut the end of
three months will he returned TO you"
Mons Bichat turned TO a pile of bank
notes and counted them. Paul unused for q
moment and then said:
chow much would you rcquire.n
Mons Bichat went on counting the notes
and took no notice for several seconds. Then
he said;
'Ah, pardon How much did you say you
could deposit II we employed your
Paul was just going TO reply that he had
named no sum, but he thought that per-
haps, II would be bettor TO allow the gentle
man to believe that he was mistaken; and
90 be replied:
~ think ] might deposit two hundred
francs"
IA small sum-" Mons Bichat said. "a
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 a 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:
1--WE have agreed to engage you for three
months at a salary Of one hundred Francs a
month, paid as before stated. on your de-
posting with us the sum Of three hundred
francs"
Next day Paul came with the money and
went to work. man with very red face
came bouncing into the room about midday
and asked for NJ Richat.
"What is thatv asked NJ. Bichat.
J "a note made by Francois Richat is pro
tested, and desire to see the gentleman"
said the man.
FRANCOIS Rchat That Is very strange, ~
said NJ. Bichat. "who sent you hitheri''
III was told this was his business place"
"a mistake, sir. My name Is Francois
Biohat, and never made note in my life"
The man examined the note and Monsieur
Bichat and departed. This incident set
Paul TO thinking. Something happened the
next day more singular still. In answer to
IN advertisement gentleman came to bor-
row six hundred francs on security. he de-
posted some jewels, and signed note for
the amount also. raul drew up the poto.
Monsieur Bichat said he would 20 inside for
The money. Presently he returned, holding
paper In his hand all covered with ink
"You will have 70 draw and sign another
note" said Monsieur Bichat; my partner,
By accident, upset the ink over this one"
Paul saw at q glance that u was not the
note which he had drawn, a. II was on blue
lined paper, while the paper which Monsieur
Bichat held In his hand was white.
THAT Is not the note" said Paul, limo.
Gently: ut was on blue paper"
Monsieur Bichat was evidently confused,
; aud gave Paul glance that would have
come with effect from q brigand.
Let me see" said the gentleman.
But Monsieur Bichat was too ctnninR 10
DO that, and, after examining the paper,
said;
well, now, Paul, you are right What a
funny mistake 10 maker'
Then he went In and brought out the gen.
uine note, and began 10 explain how the mis-
take had occurred.
by the way" said the gentleman, taking
lpe note and examining It. you might make
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