The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1909-04-15
A REAL MONTE CR|STO
The Tragic Career OF Picaud, a
CobbIer of Paris.
HIS RISE TO GREAT WEALTH.
Thrown Into Jail by Secret Enemies,
He Was Left a Fortune by Fellow
Prisone-Released, His Scheme of
VENGEANCE Brought Him Death.

He Was Left Fortune by Fellow
Prisone-Released, His Scheme of
VENGEANCE Brought Him Death.
That romantic creation OF the brain
Of Alexandra Dumas, 1.-The Count OF
Monte Cristo." had counterpart in
real life in France in the last century.
This is the tragic story:
In 1907, when Napoleon was at the
height Of his power, Francois Picaud
was a sturdy young journeyman cob
bier Of Paris full Of health and ami
NAL spirits and happy in the love OF
Marguerite Vigoureux, a young girl
of his own station in life. On the eve
of his marriage hidden enemies de-
nounced him to the imperial govern
ment as a spy. He was cast into prls-
on, where he remained. forgotten by
the world, for seven years.
Among his fellow prisoners was
wealthy Milanese priest. who treated
| him like a son and bequeathed to him
100000 francs on deposit in the Bank
Of Amsterdam. Furthermore, this &C.
clesiastic told Picaud the secret of
hiding place in Italy where were con-
cealed jewels to the value Of 100000
francs and specie amounting to three
| millions.
When the empire was overthrown in
| 1914 Picaud was one of vast num-
Der of political prisoners throughout
France who were given their freedom,
He proceeded to gather the priests
| treasure and to plan vengeance upon
| his enemies. Who they were he did
not know.
Disguised as an Italian priest, he sue
ceeded by bribing the least guilty OF
the conspirators and discovering the
entire story of his undoing The lead
er in the plot he learned was one Lou
pain, who had married Marguerite
Vigoureux, prospered and become the
proprietor of one of the handsomest
cafes in Paris.
Picaud went to the capital and under
a suitable disguise obtained work as
waiter in Loupain's establishment.
Fellow servants there were Guilhem
Solari and Gervais Chaubard, who,
with Loupain. had Denounced P1caud
in 1907. The pretended waiter was
not long In bringing his vengeance to
q contamination. Chaubard was the
| first victim of his wrath. His body,
I pierced by knife. was found on one
| of the bridges over the Seine Lou
/ RI
ury and finally stabbed to death in the
Tuileries gardens. Solari was poison
ed and died In frightful commissions.
| But speedy retribution overlook the
| implacable avenger. One night Picaud
was seized, bound and borne to an
abandoned quarry. In the darkness
terrible voice said:
| "Picaud, what name are you passing
under now? Are you still the priest
Baldini or the waiter Prosper? You
wished for revenge. You have sold
yourself to the powers of hell. Ten
years you have given to the pursuit of
three wretches you should have spared
Me you dragged down to perdition.
| The diamond by which you bribed me
[ was my destruction. | killed him who
cheated me. was arrested, condemn
ed to the galleys and escaped only
after years of torture. My one thought
has been vengeance on the priest Bal
dini You are in my power. Do you
know me? | am Antoine Allut. How
much will you pay for bread and wa
terY
II have no money" groaned Picaud.
you have sixteen millions. These
are my conditions: will give you
something to eat twice day, but for
each meal you must pay me 25.OOC
francs"
However. the cupidity Of the prison
er proved stronger than his hunger.
He underwent terrible suffering with
out any signs of yielding until his
captor, goaded to fury at the prolong-
ed obstinacy. threw himself upon Pr
caud and stabbed him to death.-Book-
man.