The Minnesota Pioneer

The Rogues of Paris.

The rogues of Paris are among the most ingenious of their class in the world. Every device is resorted to with the object of raising the wind. Mr. Kendall of the Picayune, mentions a novel trick—which, was recently practiced by two brothers. He states that at about ten in the morning, and a tolerably chilly morning it was, the passers along the Quai du Marche aux Fleurs noticed a young man, with a very melancholy and suicidal look, standing near one of the bridges alone. Suddenly he cast his eyes upwards, as if to take a last view of the skies, muttered as apparently in prayer for a moment, and then plunged headlong into the river. While all stood paralyzed at this rash attempt, a young man came up and inquired with great simplicity, what was the matter. The individual who was foundering in the turbid current of the Seine, and who had just risen to the surface, was pointed out to him, when at once stripping off his blouse and ejaculating that he would save the unfortunate or perish in the attempt, he plunged in after him. The bystanders watched with breathless anxiety, as the heroic youth dove, came up to the surface, and again went under in the endeavor to save the wretch who had attempted his own destruction; and finally, when nearly all hope was lost, the crowd were rejoiced on seeing the suicide brought to shore with life still in him. Close by was a house or station where half-drowned persons were restored, and where those who rescue them receive the municipal reward of twenty-five francs. Thither the rescuer and rescued were borne by the crowd, the former overwhelmed with the admiration and praise which his gallantry called forth on all sides: but unfortunately, just as the demand was about to be given him, and a subscription for an additional sum was being raised, a policeman stepped up who knew them both. They were brothers, were two of the best swimmers in Paris, and made it a business to go about saving each others' lives for a living!