The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-12-27


the child was three years old, her cousin,
Henry Lavoniere, the orphan child OF
lie Brons sister, came TO reside at the
chateau. He was then twelve years old.
When he attained his majority his Cous-
In Marie was twelve years old. She was
heiress to vast estates, and Henry was
penniess and dependent. He resolv.
ed to pay court to his rich cousin and
wed her. By thousand arts he won
the confidence and affection of the girl,
and when, at the age of fifteen, her fa'
lher died, his last death.bed utterance
was desire that the cousins should be
married forthwith.
The girl, however, did not seem 30
anxious, and Henry began to fear he was
to lose the prize. He redoubled his af.
fectionate attentions toward his cousin,
and in a moment Of passion she surren-
dered her virtue. After this she was
only too anxious to marry him, and the
ceremony was performed
Henry, however, was faithless hus-
band, and the chateau was peopled with
the victims of his lust. Marie bore this
a long time without repining; but at last
she was aroused, and refused to supply
her husband with funds. He professed
penitence and promised amendment.
Soon after this Couriol was introduced
at the chateau. He had been a medical
student, and was anything for the time
being he was paid to be. He came into
the establishment avowedly to revive
the immense library and superintend
the restoration of some valuable volumes
Soon Marie's health began to fail, and
medical skill seemed TO be useless At
last her husband suggested visit to
Paris, that she might have the benefit of
the best advice. On that supposed jour.
ney to Paris the events occurred already
recited.
Couriol, it seems, knew something of
lieur.Sainte, and met DR., Poissy, whom
he took to be a man who could be easily
used for the furtheranCe of their designs.
Just before reaching Lieur-SaiDte, Cou-
rjul administered to Marie deadly dose
of morphine, and when they reached the
inn both Lavoniere and Couriol supposed
she was dead, They pretended other
wise, however, and so arranged things TO
secure the doctors presence, ply him
with his favorite liquor, and impress him
with the belief that she was alive when
be arrived. Their object of course was
to procure a medical certificate, and to
save the chances of any investigation.
When the two men quilted the inn af.
ter giving directions TO DR.. Poissy for the
interment of the body, that gentleman
summoned Madame LEROY. While she
was arranging the supposed corpse, and
remarked on the evident unConcern of
the unfortunate girls husband at her
death, she observed twitChing at the
mouth of the dead.
On calling DR.. Poissy's attention to it,
he seemed TO be suddenly aroused to full
sobriety, and on applying certain tests
became satisfied that the girl was not
dead. 1t was resolved at once to ac-
quaint LEROY with the matter, and Sc
cure his co cooperation and secrecy. Means
were then used to restore the girl, which
proved successful. A violent fit of retch-
ing came on, and the patient discharged |
from her stomach quantity of morphine.
After this she speedily began to recover,
and was soon able to tell the story of her
life.
Nodoubt remained in the mind of DR..
Poissy that Lavoniere and Couriol had |
attempted to murder the girl, and had |
departed with the impression that they
had succeeded.
1t was resolved to keep up the show of
a funeral, and coffin was ordered. In |
side this bricks and stones and clothes
we're placed by the doctor, and the lid |
screwed down. That it might be insur.
I'd against interference the coffin was re.
moved to the doctors cottage.
Early in the day Madame LEROY man
aged to convey Madame Lavoniere by q
oack way to DR.. Poissy's, and there she
remained and witnessed her own funeral.
As soon as Madame Lavoniere was
lble to bear the fatigue, she was removed
o Paris and eminent physicians declared
heir opinion that she had been subject
I'd for some time to process of poison.
ng, The authorities were consulted,
md measures were taken to arrest La
,oniere and Couriol. How they were
executed the reader knows.
Lavoniere committed suicide in prison
md Couriol was sent to the galleys for
ife. He showed, however, a very tract
.ble disposition and became so we'll liked
or his evident endeavor to reform, that
he rigor of his imprisonment was re-
axed, and he was advanced to the posi-
ion ofmedical assistant. Finally he was
and settled in the United States
where he died only recently.