The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-02-03
A FrQarch Prison Scene.

A French Prison Scene. 7N7'
THE last iorty-one prisoners wore re-
moved from the Bagneief Tonlon, and
that famous establishment, SO long
the terror of French criminals, sand
which has been q fruitful source of har-
rowing subjects to the ablest romancists
and poets q France, was closed forever
more. The scene when this great place
of woe, and, there can be no doubt in
many instances, Of revolving cruelty,
was closed, was interesting and thrilling
in the extreme. The prisoners had all
been sentenced topenil seryitudefo rlife,
life, and theywore, asan emblem oftheir
doom, the famous green cap, while q
chain three feet and half long was fas-
tened TO their left wrist and ankle.
When the prisoners were drawn up in
line TO prepare for transportation to n
French penal colony the officer in
charge announced that ten OF the NUM-
Der would DO pardoned. A scene Of in
describable excitement ensued. De-
spite tho admonition OF the keepers,
the prisoners crowded around NJ. Duri-
wage and his colleagues. Some Of them
uttered ordinations OF intense slls.
pense, each hoping against hope that
his name would be amongtl fortunates,
while others clasped their hands, there
by causing ahorible clanking Of chains.
All eyes were riveted on NJ. Duriyuge
as he now read of the ten names OF
those who were destined to the happi.
ness Of regaining their liberty, which
they believed to have lost foreyermore..
AS the names wero read of, the happy
conyicts, with only two or three excep-
tions, broke into demonstrations Of I'M
bounded delight Some danced around
like madmen, while others burst into
foods Of tears, throwing themselves on
their knees and praying in loud tones
Of profound agitation, il,' (
+ Wien tho!ten names had at last been
announced, those who were to remain
in durance manifested their rage and
disnppointmentine quallysingular ways.
There were tears and cries OF heart
rending despair, and there were also
curses too blasphemous to repeat. The
keepers, at sign from the Commission
ers, dragged them to IN adjoining cor
rider, beating tlem with Their sticks,
and threatening them with moro severe
measures in case they should continue
violating tho rules OF the Bagne. 81.
Meanwhile three blacksmiths began
to strike off tho shackles from tho limbs
Of the pardoned convicts. This is al
ways n somewhat painful operation, and
some Of the convicts uttered stihed cries
as tho sledge hammers fell upon the
rings OF their Chains. AT Inst all Of
them were unfettercd. Even the prison
officials, harlenend MS they were, could
not help looking without emotion upon
tho poor wretches who had suffered 80
much and so long. There was not ono
among them but had been IN inmate Of
the Bagne for upward Of twenty years.
One Of them, Andre Freron, Ind been
there since 1926, forty.sevGn ycars q
shaelsled galey-slRyel
Tho released prisoners pnt on tho
citizens clothes That had been furnish
ed to them, and wore escorted by n
largo concourse ofpeople to the Lyons
/ utlVb. 4uS CAUltcllGLlb VI tnG CIuMu
was rs intense rs tho impressions which
the unwonted sights which met tho OK
conyicts on nll sides were remarkable
and profound. They seemed To feel
awkward in their new clothes, md they
held their left arms rs II their wrists
and ankles were still connected by a
chain. They have NIL reached their old
homes by this time. God knows alone
what their feelings werc when they
found everything altered there, and
met, perhaps, in their Earthquakes no
one that remembered them. In accord.
ance with the French laws, they will re.
main under the surveillance Of tho pc.
lice 10 tho end OF their days. ~.
Meanwhile their thirty.one unpnr-
doned fellow conyicts have set out on
thoir long and dreary voyage to the
tropical and unhealthy shores OF Cayen.
ne. Until their arrival in the penal
colony they will not be taken from the
hold OF tic man.of-war that conveys
them thither. There, almost in the
dark, they lio on their pallets, fastened
to the walls with heavy chains. Tho
doors to this floating prison arc guarded
day and night by three marines with
loaded muskcts, Who have orders to
shoot on the spot any Of them who sue
coed IN freeing themselves from their
letters, ~