Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1893-08-26

took fiacre and went around to the offices
OF the principal newspapers, in each of
which was inserted an advertisement offer
ing reward of 125 francs for the return of
purse lost in Batignolles omnibus that
afternoon. This done, he returned to the
hotel, mingling his attempts to console his
sorrowful bride over her loss with very
natural comment on the carelessness of
women in general.
Breakfast was still on the table on the
following morning when the sleek, closely
cropped waiter ushered two strangers into
the salon occupied by the Grants.
Something about re purse, m'sieur," he
said, with broad grin.
One of the newcomers advanced, and
with light bow said in fairly good Eng
lish:
MY friend here, M sieu," and he waved
his hand toward his companion, lees a COM
mis-, vot you call clerque, and he vas in re
omnibus last afterzenoon vhe: he see you
and your so charming gdame''-another bow
to Mrs. Grant. "Aftaire you are go out he
find re purse on re floore of re omnibus.
'E get out immediatement, but he not see
vich Ways you go. Zis morning he see your
announce He not spik Eengleesh. and
come Wis eem to Interpret"
YOU'RE couple of honest fellows" ejac-
ulated George Grant impulsively. The
interpreter conveyed the remark in French
to his companion. and both bowed again.
Then the purse was handed to Mr.. Grant,
who, opening it, counted four e5 notes and
some loose gold-about 80 francs.
Here's the promised reward" he said,
holding out one of the notes
The Frenchman said something rapidly
to his companion, who at once remarked
"Ah Sat ess so, monsieur You can yet
anozzer favor do 'eem. 'E say Eat eet ees
deefecult for 'eem to make re change of an
English note. Could you be SO very good
to make 'eem re little present in re French
monaies"
"Oh, certainly, certainly" said Mr..
Grant, and going into the adjoining bed
room he quickly returned with 6 louis and
a franc piece, which the honest finder of
the purse received with every sign Of salts
faction. More bows, more interpreted ex-
pressions of gratitude and compliments to
monsieur" and to his 80 charming
dame," and the visitors go out.
There, now, Lizzie. What did | tell
you" was George Grants triumphant ex-
clamation as the door closed. That's more
than all their cleverpolice would have done
in lifetime. And now Pil tell you what
we'll do to celebrate our good luck. We
amt neither of us had much appetite for
breakfast this morning. Now, put on your
things, my dear, and we'll go down to Tor
toni's and ave a slapup feed, and just for
once bottle of cham, chr"
The breakfast at Tortoni's was success.
Everything from the delicate pawns and
golden butter with which the meal com.
menced down to the demitasses with which
it concluded was perfection, and George
Grant sighed a sigh of satisfaction as he
swallowed the last drop of his coffee. The
English speaking waiter brought the bill
with smile and flourish, only 70 francs
40 centimes.
"You can change e5 note, supposei"
asked Mr.. Grant as he drew forth the re
covered purse.
Certainly, m'sieu," was the mans reply
as he took the note, but he was a very long
time bringing the change There was an
animated discussion at the compton; then
the waiter, accompanied by the proprietor.
approached the little table where the
Grants were seated.
"This is bad note, sir; what you call a
forgery" said the waiter coolly.
"a whatS cried George Grant indig
nantly, "a bad note2 Come, that is good
Joke Still here is another, II you don't
like that" and again producing the purse
he selected at random one of the three fiYes
remaining in it. But as he did SO his face
blanched. 1t was flash note, and a
very poorly executed one too. So were the
other two. And suddenly it dawned upon
his brain that the honest visitors of the
morning were two clever thieves, who had
not only secured the original booty, bat
had actually obtained good French gold for
one of their own forged substitutes.
How the indignant proprietor Of Tor
toni's called in couple of gendarmes and
gave the astonished pair into custody on a
charge of attempting to pass false money.
how they were conducted to the nearest po-
lice station; how poor Lizzie Grant prompt,
ly tainted en- route thereto; how her hus-
band raved and threatened every official
with dire retribution for the insult to an
Englishman; how they were locked up for
"A hours and only released on production
of indisputable proof OF identity and no
end OF "badgering" from the police officials
space will not permit me to record. Suf-
fce it to say that within a dozen hours Of
being set free Mr. and Mrs. Grant were
crossing the silver streak In the direction
of Albion's white cliffs, and that were they
to live to the age of Methuselah nothing
would ever tempt them to visit that lawful
Paris' again.-Exohange.