The Osceola times., 1884-03-01
4 STORY FROM PARIS.
The ' ri~oDsr OF II. Latsrd and tho Fortune
That II Coming to Her.
Phii4,lcldhia Times.

That IL Coming to Her.
Phhs.lcldhia Times
One of the slddest biight-spots of the
gay capital is certain gloomy, ruinous
pile of buildings in the Rue du FaubouIg
st. Denis, known as the Prison of St La
zare. II was originally lepers' hospi-
tai, and then il became a convent. II
was while thus used that st. Vincent lie
Paul died in it, Toward the end of the
seventeenth century it was transformed
for few years into prison fot men,
and IT was here that Beaumarchais serv-
cd the three days he got for writing the
Marriage dc Figaro" During the revo-
luton it was used partly as wheat
warehouse and partly for lodgings, its
most famous tenant being the poet An.
Dire Chenier, who wio,e here his "Jeune
captive" in honor Of Mile. dc Coignv,
aud his ironiCal "IambeS" that go arouse
the fury Of the Republicans. During the
Consulate it was transformed into a fe-
male prison and house of correction, and
which destination il still retains II has
been fifty called "pesthousc, for the
very walls seem to be reekinc with lust,
and, in spite ofthe good sisters who have
charge OF it, it is regular conservatory
of vice and hotbed of corruption. There
Is superintendent at the head of the
establishment, but all Of its interior eco
uomy and discipline is, since 1880. un-
der the charge of the Marie Joseph sis
tcrs, who, in their long, white wooden
gowns, blue and black wells, have very
much the appearance of specters as they
move about noiselessy through the long
dimly lighted passages of the prison; but
they are not the only angels who are to
be found in this terrestrial hell, for
all the children born within its walls
are allowed 10 remain with their moth
cr- until the age OFFS years, aud the
sounds Of infantile cries and laughter
echo weirdly through its gloomy wards.
Now il is almost impossible To gain
permission TO visit this prison, and vet
Nine Pasca, leading lady at the Gym
nasc Thcatcr, the director Of that house.
and Mr. Georges Ohnet, author of the
piece, now having such cuccessful run
in it succeeded in securing an order
from the Minister of Justice, which en-
abled them TO carry lot of useful arti-
clcs a, New Years gifts to the unfprtu-
nate inmates yesterday One ofthc first
cases that attracted their notice, as, un-
der the guidance Of one of the Sisters,
they were making the round of the in
stimtion. was beautiful baby ,whom.it
mother was nursing. Questioned, the
mother said, seduccd by her employer, a
Icwelcr, she was, when he wished to rid
himself oi liaison of which ~ had
grown tired, accused ofthelt and convict !
ed upon his unsupported testimony. 4
few step, further ON the visitors came to
a young giIl with gentle modest look .
and ho wore the uniform of the prison |
with an air of digniied resignation. |
Who j. she?' asked Nine fasca of
their guide She is model inmate of |
this sad place was the reply. I'VE have |
never had the slightest fault to find with !
her since she has been here. Her sen |
tcucc is thirteen months, and she has |
already served five Of them. For my |
pan | believe that she is innocent al |
though she confessed to having been |
guilty Of forging 100000 francs worth Of
notes. The poor thing has yer, great /
name, and at the age of u she fell 90 I
madlv in love with a man that when he I
lost So heavily at gambling that he had |
t. decide between committing suicide /
and what FIcnchmen call loss of honor, /
she forged these notes: she saws that she ,
dtd, but believe she saws 50 in order To |
screen the one vino is really guilty"
"Nhy, 1t is regular romance that /
YOU are telling MS, said Mrlc Pasca ]
cor rather drama interrupted Mana I
ger koning "Th re j. in IT = -ubjCc /
for yuu, Mr.. Ohnet, and role for YOU /
Nine. pascd.' / don't know whether 1t is /
r1mnnre or drama, resume, ..rhe good /
sister, 'hu' know tuat dly before YES /
tcrdGv The ne in'ondcnt received an
Official letter informing hun that an old |
General who ha- jus, lied has lrft 10y
viii HDW flames to the prisoner whom
You have just seen. The superintendent
after consulting with the Minister at
Justice has determined o. -av nothing
about hi. fortune to her until tn dav
when her sentence expires