"Done,"
Paris, in addition to being the most beautiful city in the world,, haß the unenviable reputationof harbouring the most accomplished rogues." Anywhere in large cities may be found villains who can knock down and rob a man, but the thieves of Paris seem to take pride in fleecing their visitors according to original methods. A young man of Lille saved-up 500fr (£2O) and went to Paris to see the sights. The day after his arrival he was walking along a leading thqroughfare when a big, red-bearded man walked up to him and said: " I arrest you in the name of the law I " " Why ? " the young man from Lille naturally asked. "You will learn why at the Prefecture of Police, '^ replied the man.
And, calling a cab, he bundled his submissive prisoner into it.
The cabman was told to drive to the prefecture. When the heree was started, the young
man was ordered to empty his pockets. He turned out his money, his watcb, and hit papers, all of which were carefully pocketed by his unpleasant ccJmpanion. The latter now ■topped .the cab in front of a post office, and said to the driver :
"lam a police commissary, and hare just arrested a Nihilist, of whom we have had information from Russia. I must send eff a telegram to announce this important capture. You stand in front of the door, and if the prisoner trie 3to get away, knock him on the head with tße butt end of your whip." '
"Ab, the blackguard!" exclaimed the cabman as he took np his post as sentinel, and be continued to apply all the abuse he could think of to the pale-faced prisoner,- who was too frightened to say a word.
Half an hour passed in thii way, and then the cabman began to wonder why the eomminary did not reappear.
Finally he called the police, and it was soon discovered that the young man from Lille had been robbed by an accomplished rascal.
The unfortunate cjHmtryman, having lost all his mouey, could not remain in Paris to see the sights. He was accordingly sent home by the authorities, penniless and humiliated.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW18971223.2.153.3
Bibliographic details
Otago Witness, Issue 2286, 23 December 1897, Page 61
Word Count
360"Done," Otago Witness, Issue 2286, 23 December 1897, Page 61
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