Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-01-05
FOUND In AN OLD RUIN.


Madame 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 a 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 a
fine education. When he grew up they put
him in care of pious cure, who prepared
him to enter seminary, for he was to be-
come priest. a very right and correct
training had Paul, and he did well with
his books and promised to become learned
cleric.
This went on until he was 81. 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
jority, he told his uncle and his aunt of his
determination. They were in a dreadful
way over what they considered Paul's de-
fiction from piety, and tried hard to dis
uade him from his purpose When they
utterly failed they renounced MIN and fold
him to depart and shift for himself
Paul's mother had left 5000 francs. and
he demanded and received what was lett 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 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 GER
nj anil nd
that the advertisers were Richat & Co.,
who described themselves as commission
agents.
Mons. Richat was a short, pompous gen.
tleman, with large display of shirt front
and cuffs, and a clean shaver face He sat
In the rear of the two rooms used by the
firm. Mons. Bichat, the other member of
the firm, was a tall young man with ele-
CANT manners and lovely musiache He
did the talking and received all corners. 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 it made no unfavorable impression on
his mind at the outset.
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,
Mon. Bichat said:
$50 you see that the position is highly
responsible, and in view of that fact we
shall pay you iberaily-one hundred francs
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"
Mos. Bichat turned to a pile of bank
notes and counted them. Paul unused for
moment and then said
How much 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?n
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 he replied:
81 think 1 might deposit two hundred
francs"
ga 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
in interest. Once more he retired to the
rear room and did not return for fully fif-
teen minutes. On coming back, he said:
We have agreed to engage you for three
months at a salary of 100 francs a month,
paid as before stated. on your depositing
with US the sum of 300 francs
Next day Paul came with the money and
went to work. A man with 4 very red
face came bouncing into the room about
midday and asked tor NJ. Bichst.
What is that :" asked NJ. 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 M. Bichat. WHO sent you hither :"
81 was told this was his business place
A mistake, sir. Ny name is Francois
Bichat, and | never made q note in my
life"
The man examined the note and Mon
sieur Bichat and departed. This incident
set Paul to thinking. Something happened
the next day more singular still. In an
swer TO an advertisement a gentleman came
to borrow six hundred francs on security
He deposited some jewels, and signed note
for the amount also. Paul drew up the
note. Monsieur Bichat said he would go
inside for the money. Presently he re-
turned, holding a paper in his hand all
covered with ink.
"You will have to draw and sign another
note" said Monsieur Bichat; my part
ner, by accident, upset the ink over this
One."
Paul saw al q 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 ''it was on blue paper"
Monsieur Bichat was evidently confused,
and gave Paul a glance that would have
come with effect from a brigand.
Let me see,' said the gentleman.
But Monsieur Bichat was too cunning to
do that, and, altar examining the paper,
said:
well, now, Paul, you are right. What
funny mistake to make
Then he went in and brought out the
genuine note, and began to explain how
the mistake had occurred.
by the way said the gentleman, tax
ing the note and examining it. fyou might
make the amount 500 francs. The three
diamonds | have deposited are worth ten
times this sum. Just look at them again.
Monsieur Bichat took the case out of his
desk and examined the jewels. The gen.
tleman took the case and held it to the
light. Then he put it into his pocket,
saying;
ION second thoughts, l don't think !
will borrow the money!
Then he tore up the note and went to
the door. He stood with his hand upon
ii, and said:
'That little trick to get two of my notes
into your possession didn't work.
With that Monsieur Bichat turned upon
Paul like wild animal robbed of its prey
THAT is your fault, you accursed whelpi p
be exclaimed. Get out at once and never
return. l have lost over 500 francs on this
transaction, and will keep what you have
deposited toward making my loss good
Get out ~
And he seized the chair and rushed upor
Paul, who would have fought and taker
the consequence if Monsieur Richat hac