New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-05-31
STRANGE STORY IN COURT

The legal tribunals have supplied French itera-
ture with many of its dramatic surprises and ro-
mantle plots, but "a stranger story was never told
than is rehcarsed in the pleadlngs of the MiStral
Gaze. Fifty years ago there dwclt at St. R6my, in
Provence a rich wool merchant, whose fabrics had
acquired reputation i'll all the cities of the CONT
nent anu were highly esteemed even in England
lie had amassed great fortune, but saw no reason
why il sh ould not be doubled under prudent man
agement in another generation Accordingly he
took pains to give bis son. Jean Mis-
trail, thorough business education in
factory and warehouse, and finally sent
him out on the road as commercial traveller to
visit the chief cities where woollens were sold.
While re turning from st. Petersburg this light
hearted son of romantic Provence caught glimpse
of Polish beauty, Wilhelmine Dombrowska. and
straightway thoughts of business activity and
worldly prudence vanished The wooing was con-
Quoted with a Southern ardor and frenzy of I'M
patience that melted the Northern maiden's heart,
and they were married forthwith. The bridegroom
having neglected his business and exhausted his
remittances. now saw fit to inform his father that
his journey has been delayed for sentimental
considerations and to suggest that n generous sup
ply of money should be sent TO him so as to enable
him to take his bride home. At tho same time he
was frank enough to admit that his marriage was
not fortunate from worldly point of view
as his wfe's only riches were a lovely face and a
true heart, while little that was good could be said
about her family.
TO these explanations no answer was made.
More urgent appeals for money and assistance
followed and finally the father was entreated
TO have mercy his son and to
help him to return TO France even if only to be
cast of forever for the crime of loving ana marry
ing IA beautiful woman. No response was made to
these frantic solicitations The wool merchant
having sternly resolved to dIsown his son,
anxOus 10 keep him as far away as possible and to
avoid disagreeable scenes home. lie preferred to
have his neighbors believe that his son had died on
the Continent rather than have them gossi ping
about SO disgraceful marriage. Jean Mstra, con
WINGED by his fathers cruel silence and
neglect that his return to France depended
upon his exertiOns cOntrIved to purchase
"A lame horse and an old cart and to set ont upon
his weary journey from Poland to sunny Provence
Wilhemno could play fairly well on the guitar,
and he like every Frenchman with Southern blood,
had musical voice, and by dint of their united ac
compllshments they succeeded in picking up here
and there on the road few pennies, VIII ich suficed
for food and lodging. 1t was n wearisome journey.
occupying many weeks, but France was reached at
last and from Tarascon repen lant letter was dis
patched to NJ Mistral, recting the prodgaPs return
and the miseries of the way, and
begging that a place should DO assigned
to him even among the hired servants
The next day poor Jean entered his native town,
which had once rung with his praises. Footsore
and clothed in rags, he was leading the WORKOUT
horse aud in the rafting cart his bride seated,
weary and disconsolate, her guitar at her feet.
In the outskirts of the town the proud
merchant was awaiting their arrival The prodigal,
seeing his father a long way off, ran forward and
threw himself at his feet but met by the words.
Seize him. he Is mad |" NJ Mistraps servants who
were concealed nearby seized him, and despite the
frantic appeals and entreates othe wife carried him
to his old home whence, after being closely guarded
for several days, he was committed to an insane
asylum. As his counsel n ow pleads the in the
civil tribunal of Tarascon, the unhappy wife, de-
sparing of etecting her husbands release and re-
duced to restitution, soon disappeared from the
town. The prisoner himself, after vehemently
asserting his sanity Tor years, lapsed into silence
and despair. His fathers death brought no change
i'll his condition. nephew inherited the estate.
and the nghtful heir still adjudged to be in-
sane. Forty-fve years have passed since he re-
turned in rags to his fathers house. and poor Jean
still languishes In his madhouse prison.