The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1888-09-27
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 were well-to-do people,
owned 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 pious cure, who prepared him to
enter seminary, for he was to become a
priest. 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, we'll 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
de ermination. They were in 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.
Pauls mother had left {, 900 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 q room and read the ad-
vertisements in the newspapers. He ap-
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 certain
place. Thither went Paul, and found that
the advertisers were Richat g. Co., who de-
scribed themselves IS commission agents.
Mons. Richat was short, pompous
gentleman, with 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 a tall young man, with
elegant manners and lovely mustache.
He did the talking and received oil corners.
1t struck Paul that it was rather singular
that two gentlemen with names 80 very
much alike should have come together into
partnership and Bichat-but still
1t made no unfavorable impression on his
mind at the outset.
After explaining that Pauls occupation
If they came to 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
chow your readiness to fall in with our
usages it will be needful for you to deposit
with us a certain sum- which at tho end of
three months will be returned to you.'
Mons. Bichat turned to pile of bank
notes and counted them. Paul unused for q
moment and then said:
''How mnch would you require?''
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 If we employed you?''
Paul was just going to reply that he had
haps, it would be better to allow the gentle
man to believe that he was mistaken; and
70 he replied:
II think might deposit two hundred
francs"
IA small sum-" Mons. Bichat said. IA
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:
1--WE have agreed to engage you for three
months at u salary of one hundred francs q
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. A man with q very red face
came bouncing into the room about midday
and asked for NJ. Richat.
"Whatis thatv' 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 hithera''
II was told this was his business place "
"A mistake, sir. Ny name is Francois
Bichat, and never made note in my afe "
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
m advertisement a gentleman came to Dor
row six hundred francs on security. He de-
posted some jewels, and signed q note for
the amount also. Paul drew up tho note.
Monsieur Bichat said he would go inside for
the money. Presently he returned, holding
paper in his hand all covered with ink.
"You will have to draw and sign another
note," said Monsieur Bichat; my partner,
by accident, upset the ink over this ono"
Paul saw at glance that it was not the
note which he had drawn, as it 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 Bichst was evidently confused,
and gave Paul glance that would have
come with effect from brigand.
''Let me see," said the gentleman.
But Monsieur Bichat-was too cunning 20
do that, and, after examining the paper,
said:
"Wel, now, Paul, you are right. Whist
funny mistake to make1' - -E-+..-. II
Then he went In and brought out tho gen.
ptae note, and began to explain how the mis-
take had occurred.
Ny tho way" ssld tho gentleman, taking
tho note snd examining II. You might make