A TERRIBLE DRAMA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2525, 15 September 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

A TERRIBLE DRAMA.

A terrible drama was enacted at the village of Brie-aur-Marne, in tho en-' vironsof Paris. A retired grocer named Roblot bought a little property in the place last year, and at first lived thorn quietly with bis wife and two children ; but a month or two ago the man became addicted to intemperate habits, and quarrels between him aud his wife were furious and frequent. On Wednesday evening there was another violent discussion. Roblot had returned home in a state of intoxication. There was a momentary lull, but soon loud shrieks were beard proceeding from the cottage, and the neighbours hurrying to the spot, found the wife in thu garden, in her nightdress with her younger child in her arms, both badly burned. They rushed upstairs, broke open tho door of the bedroom, and saw Roblot lying on the floor in the midst of flames which were spreading rapidly to tho cot of tho other child, With great exertions they were able to extinguish the fire, and Roblot was taken to the nearest hospital in almost a dying Btate. His wife then explained that he had suddenly exclaimed that "tho hour had come, " that they were all to die, and that he would " roast the lot like so much poultry." Madame Roblot tried to cilm him, but in vain. Ho empied several litres of spirits of wine on the floor, smeared the curtains and furniture with the liquid, and every time that his wife attempted to open the window and call for assistance ho threw her on the ground brutally. At length, the horrible task being accomplished, be laid the woman on the bed, grimly remarking that she would be " the first to grill, " and set fire to it. Rendered desperate, the poor creature made almost a superhuman effort, snatched the baby from the cradle, which was already on fire and jumped out of window, spraining her ankle severely. She, too, has been removed to the hospital. Roblot has the impudence to declare that it was his wife who set fire to the premises.