Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1908-01-18

"a poor distracted mother, wan
dering about a country part OF
France. carrying in black serge
parcel the bones of her child whom
she lost eight years ago. She dug
up and took away these remains
from the cemetery OF La Norville
near D'Arpajon.
Now in her wretchedness she is
wandering about the woods looking
for shelter from the cold and the
rain and the curious eyes OF men.
and the authorities who wish TO
reprlevs her of her precious but
CHASTITY burden. This woman. Alice
Giliet. who Is now forty-four years
OF age. was born at La Norville.
Her mother, who was extremely
beautiful. lived for some time in
gaiety and luxury in Paris. She be-
came the mistress OF a wealthy man
who left his wife and children for
her.
Alice was born to them. Then
restitution followed on their former
plenty, and ruined and wretchei
they came back with their child to
the mothers home. The young girl
grew up very beautiful.
or all those who courted her, she
preferred shoe maker named
Brule, and to him she was mar
ried.
The couple went to Vitry and then
TO Paris. Two children was born
daughter and a boy, the little
Louis, who died eight years ago.
Alice Brule's husband was, however,
jealous and disslpated. and after
supporting her for long time
Brule left her.
Then began her sad, wandering
life. for Alice Brule. the abandoned
woman. who was too beautiful. was
already somewhat wrong in the head.
She took her two little ones by the
hand, and they started on wander
ings whcih have never ceased. This
was many years ago, and no one
knows or no one dare ask how they
lived since.
Among the many occupations she
has resorted to has been ragpicker,
servant, charwoman, and beggar-
sometimes much worse.
AT sixteen years of age the daugh-
ter entered into service and little
Louis at twelve years of age died
and was buried in a paupers grave
In the cemetery at Bagneux. The
poor mother become almost totally
mad. All alone now she returns
to the shameful and hideous life of
a wanderer. She lived on the garb-
age OF the markets, and shops
Sometimes she sold flowers on the
streets and she sank to inconceivable
depths OF wretcnedness because she
was becoming too old and unattract-
I've to live the life she formerly led.
Sometimes she returned to La Nor
lille, where an uncle of hers is still
living
Her child was buried eight years
ago. and she remembered now that
the time was approaching when. ac-
cordinB to the rules in the cemeter-
les all the remains of the common
pauper's graves would be burnt, her
chiid's bones among them.
In utter distraction she went to
the cemetery at Bagneux by night.
recognized her sons grave by the
number on 1t, dug up the earth,
took out the bones, wrapped them
up In a portion Of her dress. and
with fiendlsh kind of JOY. went off
with them. Then she went on foot
the twenty odd miles separating
Bagneux from La Norville.
The next morning she arrived at
her uncle's. What have you there?"
he asked. She replied 1T is my lit
tie Louis" They were going to
burn him. and so / have been TO
fetch him TO put him in the grave
where my grandmother, your moth
er Is. The uncle said simply. "If
you think you have done right
approve"
On the afair becoming known the
poor woman was arrested, and kept
In prison at Corbeil for some days.
and they released her on the condi-
tion OF her mind becoming known.
Arrangements were made for the
tnterment in the coffin OF the grand
mother to take place as Alice de-
sired. The wretched woman had.
by some means or other, got hold
OF some money and she went to a
stonemason and asked 10 make a
small tombstone bearing the names
and date and this addition.
Brought from Bagneux by his
mother" The bones we're placed IN
temporary vault, awaiting the
opening Of the grave I'm which they
were 10 be put.
The evening before this was 10
take place the Door woman vyopt 10