A NOBLE CHIMNEY SWEEP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9229, 17 June 1893, Page 2 (Supplement)

A NOBLE CHIMNEY SWEEP.

A singular case, in which the young Comte Ferdinand do Gontaub*-Biron finds himself accidentally a partner in a bankrupt chimney-sweeping business, lias just been heard before the Tenth Chamber of the Paris Police Court. Comte Ferdinand de Gontaut-Biron is 23 years of age, is married to a daughter of M. do Lesseps, and his expenses are controlled by a *' Come.il Judiciaire." In 18891, the Comte states, ho was particularly short of money, and in that situation formed the acquaintance of a man named Bellolle, who offered to lend him 100,000 francs against bills to the value of 150,000 francs, renewable during five years. The Comte was delighted at the prospect of 100,000 francs ready money, and accepted the proposal. Bellelle brought him some stamped papers and the sum of 3000 francs on account, and he signed the papers without bothering to read them. These papers constituted him a partner in the chimney-sweeping business run by two men named Gentel and Vanoni. After a time Comte Ferdinand de Gontaut-Biron made repeated demands for the balance of the 100,000 francs, but received no answer. Bellelle and the " fumistes" in partnership with him soon began to act on the offensive, and claimed to be allowed to declare themselves bankrupt. The President of the Court pointed out the object of this manoeuvre. The fumUtes thought that the Do Gontaut-Biron family would pay some very heavy sums of money to save the honour of the family name. Eventually the two chimney-sweepers, partners of Comte Ferdinand do Gontaut-Biron, were declared bankrupt. Then the Conseil Judieiaire took the matter up, and Gentol and Vanoni wore arrested and prosecuted for swindling. The Court has reserved its judgment.