The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1902-06-26

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Ily day when every thing outside was So
sunny and pleasant! II HI.
ut Is singular, 9. he said. 81 never
felt so great desire to take walk
TO the court clerk while he was go
ing through the formalities Of the com
mitment Prosper replied with naughty
brevity to the Indispensable questions
asked him. 49,. 49,
But when he was ordered to empty
his pockets on the table and they be-
gan to search him his eyes flashed
with indignation, and a single tear
dropped upon his flushed cheek. In an
instant he had recovered his calmness
and stood up motionless with his arms
raised in the air so that the rough crea-
lures about him could more convenient
~ search him from head to foot to as
sure themselves that he had no suspi-
cious object hid under his clothes.
The investigation would have, per-
haps, been carried to the most igno-
minious lengths but for the interven-
ton of a middle aged man of distin-
guished appearance, who wore a white
cravat and gold spectacles and was
sitting by the fire. At sight of Prosper
he started with surprise and seemed
much agitated. He stepped forward
and seemed about to speak to him,
then suddenly changed his mind and
sat down again. In spite Of his own
troubles, the cashier could not help
seeing that this man kept his eyes fas-
tened upon him. Did he know him?
Valnly did he try to recollect having
met him before. This man, treated
with all the Difference due to chief,
was no less a parsonage than a .cele-
brated member Of the detective corps,
NJ. Lecoq. When the men who were
searching Prosper were about to take
off his boots, saying that a knife might
be concealed in them, NJ. Lecoq waved
them aside, saying. ''That is sufi-
| Gent
He was obeyed. All the formalities
being ended, the unfortunate cashier
was taken to a narrow CELL The heav-
| lily barred door was. swung to and lock-
ed upon him. He breathed freely. At
last he was alone. Yes, he believed
himself to be al one. He was ignorant
that a prison is made of glass; that the
accused is like a miserable insect un-
der the microscope of an entomologist.
He did not know that the walls have
stretched ears and eyes always watch
ful. He was so sure Of being alone
that he at once gave vent to his sup
pressed feeling and, dropping his mask
of impassibility, burst into food Of
tears. His wrath, long pent up, now
flashed out like smoldering fire. In a
paroxysm of rage he uttered impreca-
lions and curses. He dashed himself
against the prison walls like a wild
beast in cage.
In the evening when the jailer
brought him his supper he found him
lying on his pallet, with his face buried
in the pillow, weeping bitter tears.
He was not hungry. Now that he was
alone, he fed upon his own bitter
| thoughts. He sank from a state Of
frenzy into one of Supplying despair
The night was long and terrible, and
for the first time he had nothing to
count the hours BY as they slowly
dragged on but the measured tread Of
the patrol who came to relieve the
sentinels. He suffered agony. In the
morning he dropped into a sleep, from
which he was awakened by the rough
voice of the jailer.
"Come, monsieur" he said, Ito the
judge of instruction."
LET us CO., said Prosper, without
stopping to repair his disordered toilet.
During the passage the jailer said,
'You are very fortunate in having
your case brought before an honest
man."
The jailer was right. Endowed with
remarkable penetration, firm, unbiased,
equally free from false pity and ex-
cessive severity, NJ. Patrigent possess
ed in an eminent degree all the quail.
ties necessary for the delicate and diff
ficult office Of Judge Of instruction.
| Prosper was escorted along q corri-
dor, through room full Of policemen,
down a fight of steps, across kind of
cellar and then up a steep staircase
he reached long, narrow gallery, upon
which opened many doors bearing diff
ferent numbers. Summoning all his
courage, he placed his hand on the
doorknob and was about to enter when
the jailer stopped him.
Don't be in such haste,'' he said.
"Sit down here, and when your turn
comes you will be called.'
The wretched man obeyed, and his
keeper took a seat beside him.
Presently little old man dressed in
black, wearing the insignia of his Of
| fee, a steel chain, cried out:
"Prosper Bertomyy'
Prosper arose and, without knowing
how, found himself in the Office of the
judge of instruction.
NJ. Patrigent's homely face, with it's
irregular outline and short, red whis-
kers, lit up by pair of bright, intelli-
gent eyes and a kindly expression, was
calculated to impress one favorably at
first sight. ....
"Weu," he said abruptly, "you are