The misfortunes of "Ponpon"

We have several times, in our columns, taken up the defense of the unfortunate little merchants who earned their living on the beach during the summer season and who are no longer found there. It is that the rigorous application of an antidemocratic municipal decree, the legal nature of which it would be useful for a lawyer to study, has driven our itinerant merchants from the maritime domain.

One of those most affected by this draconian measure is poor Dachary, known as "Ponpon, the cutest of candy merchants" as he calls himself, the one who brightens up our streets, our walks except today, the strike so jealously guarded, by the picturesque and comical refrain that he sings to offer his merchandise:

... With lemon for boys, With vanilla for little girls, With coffee for priests, etc. etc.

The verses are poor; they have nevertheless become popular. Now, Ponpon, this year, is in deficit of two or three thousand francs that his sale on the beach regularly brought him. And since he is not rich, since all sorts of misfortunes have happened to him elsewhere and since he has to eat, by Jove he went to sell on the maritime land despite the wrath of the police and the administration. A report was drawn up against him and on Thursday, he appeared before the simple police court.

In order to be able to defend himself without being, as he says, "bluffed", he had had formal conclusions prepared.
Mr. Poitevin, justice of the peace, felt he had to refuse them and returned them to him, but nevertheless postponed the case to the next hearing for the communication of the file that these conclusions requested.

It is believed that this case will be argued at the appropriate time by... but shush! Not another word!