A French Chinaman.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 9, 26 August 1908, Page 11

A French Chinaman.

Queer is the adventure which Jias just befallen an old Frenchman. A few weeks ago a decree of expulsion was made oub against him, under the impression that he was a Chinese, as he had described himself as a native of Pekin, and has acted the part very well. Thie he did not mind at all, and he was very crestfallen when, the Anthropological department in Paris having been curious about him, he was found to have been born in the provinces, and to have undergone upwards -of 5C condemnations as a vagabond. When, during one of the trials which preceded a sentence, the judge asked him what he did, he calmly answered, “1 walk?’ “But what is your trade?” the magistrate inquired. “That depends/* was the cool reply. “In the country I am a tramp, in the towns I am a vagabond. As a matter of fact, I am nothing of the kind; only a poor devil who, like you, is trying to live.” That time the sentence was heavier thaa usual.