ADVENTURES OF AN ENGLISH OFFICER IN PARIS.

Southland Times, Issue 1127, 10 September 1869, Page 2

ADVENTURES OF AN ENGLISH OFFICER IN PARIS.

The Paris Correctional Tribunal was occupied some time ago with a case which has entiiely thrown the electoral fever into tbe shade. Mr Henry Thomas Larkins, an English officer, 28 years of age, described by the law papers as a " handsome fellow," was charged with obtaining goods under false pretences. The prisoner belongs to one of the richest and most honorable families of England, and, according to his counsel, the talented M. Lachaud, is a descendant of the Kings of Scotland. Mr Larkins formerly served in the Bengal army as a lieutenant. Not being able to agree with his colonel, he threw up hiß commission. Mr Larkins appears to have great expectations from a rich old aunt, on whose generosity he had been leading a fast life— so fast, indeed, that one fine morning in April his venerable relative told him tha she would stand it no longer, and that he must look out for something to do. Having an uncle in Japan, that interesting country was chosen as the spot for the future of the prodigal nephew. His aunt very good-naturedly filled his pockets with bank-notes, and despatched him off, earnestly warning him not to stop at Paris, ""that wicked, naughty captital." Mr Larkins, however, is evidently a young man fond of the pleasures of this life, and although on arriving in Paris he put up at the Grand Hotel "for one night only," he found the next morning that his inclination was stronger than his will. A visit to one or two of the theatres brought him into connection with some of tbe leading " lady stars," two of whom, Mdles. Schneider (of Grande Duchetse de GeroUtein celebrity) and Markovich, appear to have '* hit his fancy to a t," to use a vulgar expression. Mr Larkins' exchequer soon became ex. hausted, and, in order to procure horses and diamonds for his fair protegees^ he was compelled to have recourse to very unpleasant dodges. He already owed considerable sums to horse-sellers and jewellers. To one of the ladies in question he had given a pure-blood charger worth £1000, and to the other a diamond bracelet to the value of £1500. His principal debt was with a jeweller named Kramer, whom he owed about £2000. In order to obtain more goods from him " on tick," he showed the jeweller a letter, which he said he had received from his brother-in-law, promising to send him the necessary money. A parare of diamonds which he thus got from M. Kramer for 30,000 f. was pawned next day at Versailles for 10,000 f. M." Kramer, not getting the money promised, had Mr Larkins arrested on the charge of swindling. His friends, however, came forward in the meantime, and satisfied the demands of his creditors. The jury, throwing aside the charge of swindling, and looking on the case as that of * foolish prodigal, acquitted the prisoner.