Democratic Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 July 1881 — A French Story. [ARTICLE]

A French Story.

A man was arrested for arson at Villeneuve, a provincial French town, aud, in the absence of any calaboose, was clapped into the lower story of the Mayor’s vacant villa, which, having grated windows, kept him safe. He had hardly lit his pipe to indulge in a smoke when along came a stout looking gentleman with wife, children and maid who stopped to admire the villa. “What a nice house 1” said the stout gentleman. “I should like to buy it.” “That’s easy,” replied the prisoner, from the inside, “ I am the proprietor, and will sell at once, provided you pay cash. ” The negotiations began, the price was haggled about and agreed upon. The prisoner said : *‘ My svife has locked me up and gone to Paris for the day ; if you fetch a locksmith from Joinville, and after an inspection of the premises the building pleases you 2,000 francs down and the rest in three months will conclude the bargain.” Three-quarters of an hour later the locksmith opened the door and the prisoner had disappeared with the stout gentleman’s money in his pocket, while the stout gentleman’s family congratulated each other and said : “How nice it is to be one’s own landlord !” The appearance of the police about nightfall asvakened them from their dream. Their dismay and the rage of the Mayor, who will probably have to restore the money as punishment for not sending the prisoner to the nearest police station, can be imagined.