The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-08-09
II STRANGE ROMANCE or CRIME.

Especial Dunlap Cable to The rimesI


Dreadful Results.
Especial Dunlap Cable to The rimesI
BosDxAux. August S.-The conviction of
Victor Berge at Gironde sssizes for the mur-
der of an unmarried woman with whom hs
was living disclosss one of the most curious
proofs that facts are stranger than hction that
has been brought TO public attention for 9
long time. Victor was the SON OF small
landed proprietor. residing Just outside OF
Capons, Department of Lot. Victor Was re-
ceivine medical education. the nearest medi-
cal school being Bordeaux. The time came
when Victor, who was OF sn anectionste dis-
position. began to lose little Of bis pristine
enthusiasm for his studies, and TO long for
the comforts Of home life. Not long before
Victor had solved the problem OF how TO
prosecute his studies under more do
mestio surroundings in & manner CON-
mon TO French students. He met at
public balls fascinating creature, Marie
Boudon, a grisette. IL was not long before the
two became intimate. Marie, besides being
pretty, pert and long-hesded. was young
lady with q keen to the main chance, who,
although she consented,to temporary liaison
with the young student. firmly intended TO
become his wife when he finished his studies
and begun business.
Marie was more firmly impressed with tho
wisdom OF her decision from the fact that vic-
tor was the beloved nephew Of several maiden
aunts each Of whom had snug sums. Three
years passed: Victor was looking forward 70
receiving his degreetand establishing himself
az CahorE, when he was suddenly called home
by the alarming illness of Nile. Potet; one OK
his annts He only arrived 10 time 70 close the
eyes IF his fayorite relative and attend her
funeral This over he returned to BORDEAUX.
taking With him the old lsdys will, which
made him the sole owner Of 10000 francs:
In France this wss good start In life for o
penniless youth. Although tho young people
had been thus intimate. Victor had not been
clever enough to fathom tho depth OF the
character Of his "chere annie, who had known
how TO conceal from him the hard and
suspected this Of her he would hsvo
left the will safely in the possession
| of a notary at Cahors. Like foolish youth
| heproceeded 70 boast of bis good fortune to
| Marie and expatiate on the added dcIcacies
| that the income from the money could ouy
them Marie did not object TO the dainnes.
| but made by a few decisive words reve.
| lations of herself that fairly stunned
| her lover. She informed him that she had
/ shaved for him for many months, attended
him in sickness, prepared his food. copied his
papers, end that she intended 10 be paid Tor
her services now that he was aoio 70
| nay her. Bonbous and trinkots were ALI
J
consider herself rccompensed unless 10 gave
her. out aud out. an entire half OF the legacy.
! on being expostulsted with for her reason
| ableness in this demand, Marie informed The
student that her mind was made up, aud that
! IL he was cruel enough, unjust enough,
wicked enough 10 deprive her 81 wnat was
clearly her night sbe WAS fully determineo
| that he should never ENJOY a sous worth OF
! his good fortune.
/ Shifting the action 10 the word, sbe made q
! grab at the will lying 0n table, ana sue
oeeded in getting hold Of H. Victor, fearing
treachery. tried 10 snatch IL from her: There
| was rough and tumble tusse. Before Vic
tor realized what had happened. poor Merie
WAS thrown violently against the table, but
| not however. before she had swallowed
the will Stunned into unconsciousness, she
never opened her eyes again, but died soon
after from conclusion OF the brain. horrlned
al the result Of their quarrel. and fearfui OK
discovery, Victor. packing some OF his pos
sessions in n bag, went out, locking tho door
and taking the key. Dazed, only hair c2n-
science of his action. and frenzied by tlis
donble calamity, he finally decided to return
| to tina room. II was then about tho middle
of the night Marie having been dead fer seN
eral hours Victor wished 10 see whether
the will could not be recovered by cutung
onen her stomach This Is how the body Of
| the poor eiri came TO be found mutisted.
| Rerse confessed the crime. While his story
WAS not entirely credited. although strength
ened By researches of police, it was sufficient.
" believed 10 obtain for him sentence of
hard labor for life instead Of the guillosine'
FATAL ACCIDENT TO AN AEBoSAur.
Professor Higgins. tho pGrschutist, was
killed AT Leeds this evening In o shocking
manner While he and Miss Deyoy wefc
making sn ascent tho bal Don was driven
apainst a telegraph pole, Miss DeyoS
got away unhurt but Mr. Higgins Was torn
from his seat by the wires OF the cross bai
and fell with his back across fence. Tie
died Immediately.
FALSE ACCIDENT GANG.
Pans, August SIN the Ninth police 21qrs
Yesterday, five people known as the false
accident gang were condemned " punish
ment varying from fyo 20 two hundred francs
and to threo years Imprisonment
The method they pysctced IA as toiiovs
coachman would run oyff mar
or woman. and policemen would TESTIFY y
the accident. :andthe victim would DO kept ~
he'd for some time. The company employing
the coachmsn would proceed TO verify the AZ
fair The person sent ~ them would repor
the case az genuine, and their company "oulc
pay the claim for damages
Everybody in the case except the company
aven 10 the police belonged % the gang.