A FAMOUS PRISON AND ITS WARDER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9611, 8 September 1894, Page 2 (Supplement)

A FAMOUS PRISON AND ITS WARDER.

Old Grosson, who for long years was in charge of the Chateau d'lf, made famous all the world over by "Monte Cristo," has died, and some amusing anecdotes are being recorded about him. He cajoled himself as well as visitors into the belief that Edmond Dante? and the Abb 6 Faria had really been imprisoned in the sea fortress. He also had a series of stories about the Iron Mask, and was in the habit of assuring people that he had a prisoner in the dungeon who bad grown grey there. Being a bit of ventriloquist, Grosson used to make the imaginary convict speak from the depth of his cell. The prisoner generally made an application for tobacco, and visitors at once disbursed money for the narcotic luxury, which it is needless bo say was required for Grosson himself. The elder Dumas, on one of the last occasions that he visited Marseilles, went out to the Chateau d'lf and asked Grosson to show him around. The old rogue, nob knowing|with whom he had to deal, went through his usual trickery, and pointed out a hole in a wall which he said had been bored through by the Abb 6 Faria, who used a fish bone for the purpose. The affair, he added, had been pub into print by M. Alexandre Dumas. " Ah," said the author of " Monte Cristo," " that Alexandre Dumas knew a lot of things. I suppose you knew him, M. Grosson ?" "On, yes," said the unabashed Ananias; "he is one of my friends." "He is much obliged to you," said Dumas, slipping two louis into the old rascal's hand. Now that M, Grosson is gone the Chateau d'lf will be divested of a good deal of the romance which interests tourists. • . I