Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-07-19
REDEEMED BY A MOUSE.
A True Story of a Convict at tho Gaiieys
and tho Pet lie Loved.

A True Story OF CONVICT Ut tho U"'oy'
and tho Pet He Loved.
Mrs. E. W. Latimer in New York Herald1
Some wears ago poet lived IN Paris who
had a kind heart and possessed consldera-
bic influence among rich and respectable
people. He was sitting one day ut his desk
wiring poem when his servant brought
him letter from an old friend asking him
TO find employment for the bearer"
The poet told the servant TO show. the
bearer into his study. He was an elderly
man, tall. stoutly built, and scr1ipuiously
neat with full gray beard, and he looked
about fifty. 8,
INV friend tells me-" said the poet.
that YOU have lately been book-keeper
with "A tradesman in the Rue st. Denis :"
YES. sir" was the answer.
"Whv did you leave your situation"
The man hesitated and then said with an
effort. II left 1t because OF an unfortunate
discovery"
covery? must know, because II recon-
mend YOU TO place l shall take certain
responsibility"
II will tell you, sir" said the man. look
inc full in his face as if ne had suddenly
taken a resolution TO speak frankly.
WAS in that house six months and no one
had hsd any fault TO find with me. when
one day they heard or it-found out that
that had been q convict at the gaileys."
HIS ONLY FRIEND.
"Ah. indeed you were q convict at the
ealleys." said the poet in much the same
tone as if he had been saying: All, in-
deed. SO you danced last night at court
ballp And now have you been living
since You left your sltuation!"
ron little money that l saved when l
was in prison.
II thought. p" said the poet. that con-
victs were forbidden to take money from
visitors. -
so they are, monsieur. But they all do
il If they can get a chance. 1t seems no
great harm to take IL il We can do SO with
out discovery.
"How do you manage it 2" persisted the
poet. who wes curious to learn something
Of a convict's experiences.
ave had several ways" the man re-
piled. Mine was one not often used, but
il always interested visitors. Some of Us
used to tame pet mice ana teach them TO
bring us any coin thrown down for US by
visitor. We always kept these mice in our
clothes, where they would nestle all day
without stirring, and when q visitor
dropped a little coin for prisoner the
mouse. at q faint chirrup from its master,
would come out of Its hiding place. slip
down the leg of his trousers, secure the
coin, and run back to its masters breast
tho way IL came"
What an ingenious triok!" said the
poet. much interested, but hardly able TO
believe the thing was true. Il should
like to see ii DONE" he added presently.
You can, monsieur"
"Wbat! Do you carry any trained mice
about you?"
"Only one, monsieur, but never can
part from her. She IS the only true friend
/ have Left be added sadly.
will you show me?"
"Certainly, Monsieur. Please to throw
down COMA cent. i've cents-what you
think proper.
THE PET IN PERIL.
The poet threw down q cent piece, which
rolled along the floor. The man gave q
slight chirrup with hrs lips and the sleeve
on bis left arm was agitated. Then the
mouse came sliding down the leg of his
pantaloons and appeared q moment later
on tire carpet. But. to the great surprise
of both men, il stood still and seemed in
clined to run back TO its hiding place.
lis master. seeing its hesitation, CHR
ruped again more loudly. The mouse
obeyed. The coin had rolled under q
piece Of furniture in one corner OF the
stady: Just as the little mouse was about
to pick IL up piteous squeal was heard.
Alas! the poets great Angora cat had been
lying asleep under the table.
When the convict saw what peril threat
ened his little friend he turned IS pale as
death and gave cry OF terror.
Poet and convict sprang at once TO tho
rescue. The cat WAS driven away but not
| before he had seized the prey IN his sharp
OlsWA The poos little mouse lAy stu with