A Balzac Drama—Miserly Husband Shot

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1022, 12 July 1930, Page 18

A Balzac Drama —Miserly Husband Shot

French Girl who, Despite Wealth, Became Household Drudge to Brutal

Husband. 1 ' j| BALZAC drama in real life * s lo unfolded before the jury at the -^ ss ' zes In Rouen. yrli£-mTI A young and pretty mother, 21 years of age, named Gysele Bourdet, will be tried for the murder of her husband, a rich farmer of Normandy. One night in February last, after a violent scene, Gysele, armed with a carbine, fired five shots at her husband while he was asleep. Two of the bullets passed through his head. How this young woman, who is described as an extremely pleasant person, full of gaiety and life, became a murderess is a dramatic story and it will be told by her counsel, Maitre Cambinchi, the well-known Corsican advocate of the Paris Bar. Differences In education, social standing and character were responsible for the tragedy. Gysele is the daughter of a wealthy farmer, adored by her parents and received a good education. She was fond of music and sport, and was accustomed’to an easy and pleasant life in a little watering place in Normandy.

How she fell in love with Bourdet and married him is a mystery which she may be able to reveal in court. Bourdet was just the opposite of his wife, a rude hard-working farmer. Avaricious Reputation He was interested in nothing but his field and his cattle, and although rich, had the reputation of being avaricious. Gysele's parents, who knew the man, were opposed to the marriage. However, they consented in the end

but soon after Gysele went on her husband’s farm sha Id™’ new life did not suit her. . Not only did her miserly n“=!“£ cut down her allowances and amusement, hut he was *7J*“tL* and allowed his wife very httia for household expenses. “We are rich.’’ he used to t«' w “Imt if we were to live an - gain life we should soon *~L fi One of the things vailed extra was the use of butter in the ki.c— Did All Housework A baby was bom. The mother was not allowed to maid, but had to go on doing household work herself. ieakjos In addition, Bourdet became ie and while he was out in ~<,,156 used to lock his wife up m tne One day in February, £°* blb y asi manager to slip out with her went to see her mother. after** 3 * She returned three days and found her husband in temper. pi He produced a re '?* T £ife a® 4 threatened to kill both his wo *»* her baby. The fri ? h 'f? B f o ,ns s* 4 took refuge iu one of the locked herself in. Several hours later sh e scirewhile her husband was *•** ' ; a loaded carbine and *' 144 . e ~ her chib* Afterward she went bt r! f " to rhe gendarmerie and ge up.