Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-01-16
SELLING A WIFE IN FRANCE.

The HuRbRnd. disappointed In the
PSice Obtained, shoots the Pur-
chaser.
Gazette des Tribdnaux.l
1t is certainly a strange specula-
ton to offer 10000 francs to a
friend for his wife, and to give him
a commission of 500 francs addi-
tional. This, however, is what was
done by NJ. Buston, a wealthy pro-
prietor in the environs of Agcn.
NJ. Buston inhabited the little vii
lage of Lavrac. At a short dis
tance from his house live a young
couple of working people, NJ. and
Nine Barenne, who had married
in 1870. NJ. Buston, married
himself, was looked upon as the
lover Of the young woman, and the
gossips went so far as to accuse her
husband of knowing the facts.
However that may be, in the month
of January, 1875, it was no longer
possible for him to have any doubts
upon the subject. One day, upon
entering his home, he found his
wife had disappeared. A letter in
formed him that she had gone
upon a short journey with M.
Buston. Several days after, Ba-
renne met his rich peighbor in
Agen, who made q very tempting
proposition to him. He wished to
buy his wife. NJ. Buston offered
10000 francs. 1t seems that Ba-
renne, who at first had been Sc
duced by the enormous price and
who only hesitated fearing be would
be obliged to divide the amount
with his wife, ended by losing
this unique opportunity, and OBJ
tanned at last but the small
amount Of 800 francs. lie
took his wife back again !
she returned to the conjugal roof
in an elegant coupe, and continued
to live as of old without Barenne
paying the slightest attention to
her, At last he concluded that his
presence was absolutely useless. He
sent his wife back 10 hsr family,
while he himself went to Agen,
where he had found employment.
Nine Barenne met with no more
obstacles at her parents home than
she had at her husbands. A small,
isolated house at st. Jean de Thurac
was given her, where NJ. Buston
paid her frequent yisits, She con-
tinued in this strange position until
last August. Upon the morning of
the lOth of that month, while NJ.
Buston was waiting for his carriage,
Barenne appeared before hia, arm-
ed with a gun. lie fired at Busten,
who ran off, instinctively raising
his left arm to protect his head.
This precaution saved his life. He
received a severe wound in the arm.
Baronne was accused of attempted
assassination and was sent to the
court of assiges Of Lotet-Garonne,
where he was judged during one Of
its recent Sittings, He pretended
to have ignored the relations exist
ing between his wife and BuSton
until 1875.
"But in the beginning of 1875"
said the president, "thcre was a
strange incident occurred between
Busten and yourself. NJ. BuSton
made proposition to you?"
The acclsed--He offered 10000
francs for my consentiag TO give
him my wife. / refused.
The president-But it seems that
your mother remarked: care YOU
fool enough TO believe they will
really give You $4,000 frapcs?" 1t
was then you refused. Laughter, J
The accused-These are not the
exact facts.
President - You said that you
had thought y long time over the
matter 2
Accused-Yes, sir, that is true.
At last, finding my wife had eloped,
| accepted the money. Renewed
laughter.
President But were not the
10000 francs paid to you? Did NJ.
Buston only give you this small
sum?
Accused--Yes; we al last agreed
upon a little compact. For this