The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-03-28
MISER SWALLOWS
 HIS LITTLE HORDE But Boys Get It After Twelve
 Years HE BODY IS ExHUMED Serious Allegations Against Police commissary of Enehien Are
 Being Investigated-Youna
 Brieand Captured.
 
HE BODY IS ExHUMED
By PAUL VILLIERs.

By PAUL VlLLlERS.
 Paris, March 27.-Grave dlggers at A small place near Epinal have discovered a treasure In the corpse of man buried 12 years ago. This incident, perhaps, sur passes all the known tricks of mlsers in their attempt to take their wealth with them to the grave. The man had grown up sons, with whom he was on bad terms and he committed suicide. But before doing so he had determined that they should not have the small sum which he had hoarded up They searched in vain after his death for the supposed treasure and would probably never have thought of 1t again if they had not been informed that the corpse of their father was to be removed from its grave. One of the sons went to the cemetery while the transfer was being made. and when the grave diggers opened the coffin they were aston ished to find inside the skeleton a num- Der of gold pieces, which the man had evidently swallowed before he committed suicide. Whether he was able to dispose of all his hoard in this way Is doubtful, but he had taken fair quantity. There were 20 pieces of 20 francs and 36 pieces of 10 francs, all in gold. which made up a sum of little more than s15O.
 For the last week the authorities at Enghien have been Investigating serious allegations concerning M. Patouillard, the police commissary of that town. Several burglaries have occurred there, and it is suggested that M. Patouillard assisted the burglars for a consideration Four thieves were arrested and made certain statements, as a result of which the pres ent inquiry was instituted. The antece- dents of the four men are now being in- quired into in Paris, and it is hinted that other arrests may follow. Meanwhile the police commissary's conduct has been the subject of careful inquiry. The criminal investigation department has decided to suspend him until the judicial inquiry concerning the four men under arrest has been completed. This measure is regard ed as preliminary to the removal of the magistrate and to the disbandng of the personnel of the municipal police at Enghien.
 Ashieres, the lively suburb of Paris, has the dubious honor of having harbored in Its midst the youngest brigand chief per- haps known, boy of A. How this lad was able to direct a formidable gang of thieves and robbers and have under his orders other outlaws several years older than himself will no doubt be explained when he is brought up for trial. He would probably still be at large if 1t had not been for the information given by his confederates, who were all caught before the police could lay their hands on him. He answered to the rather noble appella- tion of something like ''The Squire,9 and had equipped several of his hangers on with knives and firearms His band con sisted of eight or ten youngsters, like himself, between 12 and 16 years of age, and their scheme was to enter small but fiourishing shops, break open the cash boxes and make off with the contents.
 The operations were exceedingly lucra- tive and in short time they had collect ed a booty of several thousand dollars. It was quite usual for them to find from $50 to $100 in cash in each box. Com plaints naturally poured in from all sides, and the police thought they had to do with gang of old, experienced jail birds. But things turned out otherwise when a policeman happened to notice three ragged looking youngsters go into a bar and change a banknote showing at the same time that they had a quantity of gold pieces. The policeman inferred at once that the lads could not have come by so much money by lawful means, and took them to the station, where they ad- mitted belonging to an organized gang. They refused however to give the name of their ringleader until all the other members of the band, two of whom had revolvers in their possession, were arr rested.
 The last has not been heard of the terrible pit disaster at Courrieres, three years ago, which resulted in 1900 victims. Several inquiries have been held with a view to establishing responsibility for the disaster. The parliamentary committee on mining ordered M. Basly, the deputy for the Pas de Calais, to draw up report on the subject. The report was recently forwarded to the committee, which has adopted the conclusions arrived at. As a result of this report the minister of pub- lie works has decided to prosecute the Courrieres company for contravening the regulations of 1905, in not declaring the fire in fhe Cecile seam, and in allowing miners 10 work with naked lights. NJ. Baisy has reported third infringement of the mining regulations. that of using what is known as No 1 Xavier powder.
 A romance begun in a ball room has been brought to a dramatic conclusion. l young dragoon in garrison in suburbs, met a young woman at a ball and fell in love with her. The girl returned his l affection and the soldier lost no time in presenting himself to her mother. As soon as the young man had furnished the l necessary particulars concerning himself 1 the woman exclaimed 'Why, you are l my own son." She confessed to the young couple that 20 years ago she fell in love with a young man whose station in life was higher than hers. A boy was born, and the father took the child Into the provinces. The father married, and his wife recognized the boy as her own.
 Now the woman claims her maternal rights The father of the soldier disputes her claim, and has lodged a complaint