Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-05-13
A Curious Sketch---The Prisoner {
SaiBte Pelagje.

THE following pathetic little story,
from the French of NM. Alloy -Lurine,
derives its interest from the fact that it
concerns an American Revolutionary
patriot and friend Of Washington. The
acts of benevolence Of the fine old soldier
are touching for their simplicity and
modesty, and sad indeed is the story of
his melancholy end:
On the second story of the buildings
which were reserved for the debtors a
modestly- cell was the abode
of an American Colonel named Swan,
who, after longslitigation with aFrench-
man, had suffered imprisonment for
debt in preference to paying a sum
which his conscience told him he did not
owe.
French law then permitted the pro-
visional arrest of foreign debtor And
twenty years after the arrest he was still
aprisoner in Sainte Pelagie.
Col. Swan, a cOmpatriot and friend
of Washington, had served in the war of
American independence with Lafayette,
and the old French republican was often
seen to bow his white head under the
gate Of the jail which held his brother
III arms.
His personal fortune, the assistance of
rich friends and perhaps bribery, or
successful escape, could have restored
the American to liberty; but he was SO
accustomed to his punishment that one
could readily see that these thoughts
could not occur to him.
No one could see without emotion this
fine old man, whose features seemed to
be 2 facsimile of those of Benjamin
Franklin, walking up and down the mar
row passages of the prison, seeking little
fresh air from the loop-holes which
looked out on the Jardin DIES Plantes.
His long dressing gown of flannel or white
dimity announced his approach, and it
was then curious and touching sight to
see the groups Of prisoners separate to
let him pass. Some of them cleared
away at his approach the corridor, which
was often encountered with furniture,
and others took away the humble stoves
on which they cooked their food, for
fear that the odor of the charcoal might
be disagreeable to him.
This universal love Col. Swan fully de-
served. This veteran of the prison had
marked every day Of his Imprisonment
by good deeds performed most mysteri-
ously and anonymously. No miserable
prisoner had knocked at his door in
vain, and often, coming there to seek
bread, had found liberty.
These deeds were often renewed. A
poor young girl coming to pay her old
imprisoned father birthday visit had
received letter at the grating, which
the keeper directed her to give to the
prisoner at the same time she gave him
the bouquet which she carried.
The old man unfolded the paper and
read these words:
81 acknowledge to have received from
III - (the name of the prisoner) the
sum of $40 francs, being the principal,
interest and expenses of the sum for
which he is imprisoned in Sainte
Pelagie. | also give, by these presents,
the authority to NJ Papin (the jailer) to
discharge the said prisoner as soon as
possible"
This note was signed by the creditor
of the old man.
1t is useless to say that Col. Swan had
mysteriously taken the place of the
debtor in sending money to the creditor
One single creditor kept the Colonel
prisoner, and every year this creditor,
hoping to bend the firm will of the old
man, called him to the grating and
offered him compromise.
The prison superintendent and officials
urged him to accept these propositions,
which would restore hun to his country
and family.
He smiled sadly, and turning 10 the
turnkey said to him: Let US go, my
| friend-lead me to my room" He
saluted the creditor, saying, "Au reDoir
AonsaeuT-; next year"