The Morning herald., 1878-12-30
THEoPERA HOUSE.
"ALMosT A LIFE"

SATURDAY nlgHt w the Cc"nuaAU
of New York, entitled "Almost a Life
was one Of the most intensely interesting
plays, we have ever witnessed, The cur
sosity of the audience was kept kesnly
alive through sllthe acts, in expectation
| Of the Dsnouement. The plot is in great
| part, taken from trial reported in the
Causes Oalibres, adapted to ourtime. Al
| most Life," opens with an ordinary. vii
Iaee scene in France shortly after tbe end
| ing Of the French and German war, intro
ducing peasant PHILIPPE, who subsequent.
" becomes an important character in the
play. Jules DeBonneval is q wealthy no
bleman, and near neighbor to Count Ear
nest Clair, a gentleman we'll advanced
in years. and welded to 2 young and beau,
tiful wife Melaine Clarinet. lnthe house,
hold Of the Clairnots, is a certain hall
idiot named Colinet, who is profoundly at
taehed to the Countess. The idiot dis
closes that the Count and Countsss live un-
happily, the Count tyranizes over her In
brutal manner. The chateau and cut
buildings Of the Count are burned to the
ground, and the Count himself dangerous
ly wounded by two gunshots. Upon the
crime being reported to Mes ieurs Dumot
aud Gsrome, one Magistrate. the Other
the Government Advocate for the Depart>
ment they consult as to the discovery OF
the incendiary and attempted assassin I.
While in consultation, Colinet the idiot,
who had been caught prowling about the
ruins, was dragged before the magistrates,
who are in the chamber of the wounded
Count. In reply to a question, as to his
knowledge Of the affair Of the previous
night, he said he saw by the light Of the
burning building. man run behind q
weod pile after he had fred, but he wa
10 excited that he could not recogniz
him. The idiot was asked what he knew,
and he at once charged Jules DeBonneville
saying he saw him fire two shots, one from
behind woodpile iu the court yard. A
peasant further said that he saw DeBonneA
vile after the breaking out ofthe.fre cross
ing the swa amps from the vicinity OF the
chateau towards his own home, carrying
a gun upon his shoulders. These state
ments caused great sensation, but in cor>
sequence Of DeBonneville's popularity. and
high characl er, we're disbelieved, but the
Government Advocate felt called upon to
| make inquiries into the facts pointed out
blythe idiot. Fastening to DsBOnpeville's
residence he finds by interrogating his
servant Antoine, that his master was out
late the previous night, and carried with
him his new American gun. DeBonneval
quickly arises, on hearing that M'Gerome
who is social friend is awaiting him
After being warned that the visit is one o
duty to investigate the burning of the
Clarinet Chateau, of which event the
young man appears to be ignorant, he ii
asked if he crossed the swamp last nigh
after midnight '' he said, no
MGerome picked up one Of the younl
mans boots, and found it covered will
marsh mud, and further investigation re
vealed the fact that the water in the wasl
, basin in DeBonneville's bed chamber con
tains scraps Of charred paper, and indi
] Gated that hands soileI with burned mat
9 ter had been washed therein; superadde
q an empty cartridge fac smile of those il
DeBonneville's gun was discovered not ia
Z from the locality, Of the fire. Upon thi
e preliminary evidence, with some matter
D of eorroboration, such as declarations {
dislike on part of DeBonneville to Cour
Clairnot, and the young man was CON
=, mitted for trial. He was amazed, and a
most driven to despair at the strong cas-
q made cut against him, but protested b
ia innocence in the most earnest manner
His betrothed Avisie Doranche, a youn
b lady of high birth, ,and his mother the MAJ
,e chioness DsBonnevills concert activ
% measures for his defence in this cours
n They are aided and admired by DR.. sau
y maise. The great Advocate M. Manuel
e brought down from Paris and interview
the prisoner in his cell, and for the fir
~ time his story is heard az he relates it
- his counsel. Jules had known the coun
~ ess Clairnot before her marriage, whit
M was one forced upon her to save her faith
n from ruin, was her lover during her ma
10 ried life, but meeting Avisie Doranche, al
y becoming engaged to her, determined
~ break off the criminal friendship hatwe