The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-09-14
AREAL MONTE CR|STO
The Tragic Career OF Picaud, a
CobbIer of Paris.
HIS RISE TO GREAT WEALTH.
Thrown Into Jail by seoret Enemies,
He Was Left Fortune by a Fellow
Prlsoner--ReIsssed, His Scheme Of
Vengeance Brought Him Death.

That romantic creation of the brain
of Alexandra Dumas, "The Count Of
Monte Crlsto," had a 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 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 pris-
on, where he remained, forgotten by
the world, for seven years.
Among his fellow prisoners was a
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.
clesiastlc 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 rs an Italian priest, he sue.
Ceeded by briblng 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 a
waiter In Loupalns establishment.
Fellow servants there were Guilhem
Solari and Gervals Chaubard, who,
with Loupaln. had denounced Picaud
In 1907 The pretended waiter was
not long In bringing his vengeance to
consummation. Chaubard was the
first victim OF his wrath. His body,
pierced by Knife. was found on one
| of the bridges over the Seine. Lou
| pain was disgraced, reduced to pen
| ury and finally stabbed to death In the
Tuileries gardens. Solari was poison
cd and died In frigbtfu commissions.
But speedy retribution overlook the
| implacable avenger. One night Picsud
| was. seized. bound and borne to an
abandoned quarry. In the darkness a
| terrible voice said:
"Picaud. what name are you passing
| under now? Are you still the priest
| Baldlni 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 aud escaped only
after years of torture. NY one thought
has been vengeance on the priest Bal.
DIM. You are In my power. Do you
know me? am Antoine Alut. How
much will you pay for bread and wa
| ter?"
u have no money" groaned Picaud.
"You have sixteen millions. These
are my conditions: I will give you
something to eat twice day. but for
each meal you must pay me $4,000
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 Pi-
caud and stabbed him to death.-Book.
man.