The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-11-20
Lacenaire's Career-He Could
Laugh and Commit Murder.
Before Being Brought to Justice Stay
err Lived by Making Verses and
Spurious Paper-AIl Paris
Sang His Songs.

Paris.-On December 4, 1884, a gen.
tleman of distinguished appearance
walked briskly along quiet street
near the Chopinette Barrier in Paris.
1t is true that the gentleman's black
frock coat gave evidence of long use
and the gentleman's hat was trifie
ancient and the gentleman's cravat
was not exactly fashionable. But.
name of a name, messieurs, one may
be gentleman and be poor.
This pedestrian, who looked disttn-
guished even under the handicap of
threadbare garments, was about thir-
ty-five year old. He was rather small
of stature, but carried himself proud
ly. His face was refined and intellec-
tual-the face of a poet and dreamer.
Indeed, at that hour all Paris was
whistling and singing one of his
songs, 1.-The Fife and Drum" He had
the hands and hair of an artist and
the joyous, care free laugh Of boy.
1t was a good thing to hear Lacenaire
laugh. 1t reminded you of your hal
cyon days, before the world weari'
ness made you sad
man of vulgar appearance. His name
was Avril. He was quite young, not
more than twenty-five, and he had
been so unfortunate as a criminal that
Lacenaire was sorry for him and was
determined to give him chance to
do better work.
Presently they stopped before q
dwelling of prosperous appearance.
This is the place." said Lacenaire.
do you remember my Instructions?
Yes? Then allons vite!"
The poet rang the door bell and the
door was opened by young man.
"Ah, my dear Chardon," cried Lace
naire, 1--WE have come to see your
mother on a trihe Of business-the
mere signing of a paper"
I'VE are greatly honored, M. Lace
naire," replied Chardon. Mother, as
you know, is an invalid, and Is on
her bed, but she can do what you
ask"
They stood face to face, Chardon
and Lacenaire, and the latter Cos
siped gayly on one thing and another,
while Avril stole quietly behind Char
don, and, having stationed himself
properly, at wink from the poet he
threw his arm around Chardon's neck
and garroted him. Lacenaire drew a
dagger then and stabbed the victim
several times, to make the job COM
plete, then he went to the room of
the invalid mother and slew her with
the weapon that killed the son.
There should be 10000 francs
here somewhere, according to my in
formation" said Lacenaire. Lock
the door, my friend, and we'll search
till we find the money"
Avril locked the door and they
searched and searched, but all they
found was 500 francs. Lacenaire,
whose sense of humor was abnormal
ly developed, laughed until the tears
rolled down his cheeks 1t was this
insensibility, displayed on many trag-
ic and narrowing occasions, that made
him one of the most famous Grim
inals of modern times.
''Is the joke on us or on the Char
dons?" he asked, as he wiped the joy
Gus tears from his face. But Avril
was impatient and nervous. He want
ed to get away. Those dead people
were getting on his nerves. So they
left the house and went to an inn,
where, over sundry bottles of cheap
wine, Lacenaire planned larger and
better crime.
He rented an office and painted an
assumed name on the door, thus Gre
ating the impression that he was a
business man. Then, by laying his
plans carefully, he arranged that a
bank messenger should call on him
in his office on a certain day, the
chosen day being one on which col
lections were sure to be large. 1t