Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-11-11
LOVED ABSINTHE AS WELL AS
WIFE


WIFE.
1t is not often that such o striking ro-
nance is unfolded in nolice court as
that which was revealed to Magistrate
Hedges in Harlem Tuesday moruing.
The romance involves the loves of
Louise Constance Serret, daughter of q
former colonel in the French army, and
of Louis Claude Sebellotte and of Eu-
gene LIE Pien who were once dsshing
officers in the military service of the
same nation.
The responsibility for the story being
set forth at this time rests upon alb.
sinthe. For the love that Sebellotte
bore to his wife was not stronger than
the fascination which the powerful
drink had for him. If this had not
been the case Sebellotte, who is more
than six feet and two inches in height
and has soldierly appearance, would
not have been in the police court upon
tie charge of having beaten mis- wife,
Louise.
Sebellotte and Louise first met in the
southern part of France nearly twenty.
five years ago. 1t was when Sebel-
lotte was q surgeon in the army.
He was dashing and wayward. Louise
fell in love with him, but her father
opposed marriage because of Sebel-
lotte's wildness. The young persons
became engaged. When Colonel Ser
ret learned Of this he took his daughter
to Paris, so that she would forget her
sweetheart. Sebellotte was dismissed
from the French service about the same
Lime.
Louise recovered sufficiently from the
shock of separation to receive the at
eations of Eugene LIE Pien, who was
an officer in the French army at that
time. Colonel Serret did not oppose
their union. So Eugene and Louise
were married more than twenty years
ago. Shortly after the wedding they
came to New Yord to seek fortune in
the new world. They did not ask for
any assistance from their parents. and
in the struggle for livelihood the
young wife was teacher CT French at
the Home of Our Lady of the Rosary.
in State street.
LIE Pien was subsequently, Informed
that his mother had died in Frrnce and
nad left him fortune. He went
to that country, aud when he
returned to his wife, who had re.
NAMED here, he brought with him
Leonis Lszsrd, who Was fifteen years
old>aud daughter of the Commissary
of Police at Brussels, Belgium.
1t was discovered that LIE Pien had
abducted the girl. He fed to Paris,
where he was arrested and convicted
under the Franco. Belgique tready. He
was sentenced to twenty years impris-
onment in France. At the end of that
term he was TO be taken to the islaod
of New Caledonia for the rest of his
life.
When Nine. La Pien heard of her
husbands conviction she was told that
by the law of France she was divorced
aud could wed again. She went to ST.
Augustine, 10 Canada. where she met
Louis Sebellotte at social gathering.
The old love returned. They were mar
red. Nine. Sebellotte received COM
or, able sum of money upon the death
OF Q6r IdlueT. hcI Du6oobu . iofO lOi
absinthe had swept away nearly all OF
her little fortune, when the couple
came to this city. The wife opened
dyeing establishment at No. 2. .lF
Third avenue. Sebellotte's absinthe
drinking made him abusive to his wife.
He slept for two years, according to
Nine. Sebellotte, with revolver under
his pillow and club at the head Of the
bed. He would threaten his wife
sometimes, and then would kiss her.
Nine. Sebellotte finally could endure
that kind OF life no longer, and she had
warrant issued for her husbands ar
rest. Iu the Harlem court Sehellotte
declared that his wife was anxious to
leave him and go TO New Caledonia
and see her former husband, LIE Pien,
who was to be taken to the island
soon. Magistrate Hodges said he felt
sorry for Sebellotte, who undoubtedly
loved his wife. He changed the COM
plant of wife beating TO disorderly
conduct. Sebellotte was held under
$1,000 bonds to keep the peace. N.
Y. Herald.