The Sun.
London, England, 1870-04-04 00:00:00

A VERY STRANGE STORY.

Boston, (Massachusetts) has a sensation story. Recently,
in a town hard by, a public ball was given. The daughter
of a couple who keep a boarding-house set her heart on
going, and in company with one of the boarders, who is
designated " J." The girl's parents objected to her going
to the ball, especially in company with , J.," but she said
that she was determined to go, and that if she could not
go with " J." she would " accept the company of the
devil should he offer to attend her." On the night of
the ball she slipped out of the house in proper trim
except that she had to buy boots for the occasion ; and
having procured these she was returning to put them on,
when she met " J," as she supposed, and he persuaded
her to go with him to the ball at once, and change her
boots in the ladies' dressing-room. "J." was her
partner in the first dance, but disappeared until
supper time, then suddenly presenting himself,
with rather frivolous excuses for his absence, invited
her down to the supper room. Offended' by his
neglect, she said she would return home at once, and
he attended her thither. Very little was said by either
party until they bad nearly reached the house, when
J. ' informing his companion that he was not going in ;
and, presenting her with a beautiful pearl-handled pen-
knife, and asking her when she used it to think of him, he
suddenly left her. The girl, on telling her mother all that
had passed, was astounded at learning that " J." had not
been out of the house since early nightfall, and went to
bed before the hour at which the ball began. The girl
refuSed to believe it, but after some discussion her mother
took her to " J.'s " room, and there he was seen calmly and
profoundly sleeping. Nothing more could be said, and the
daughter retired for the night. A strange sound shortly
afterwards brought the mother to the girl's chamber, and
she was found with her throat cut with the penknife given
to her by her companion at the ball. She lingered until
noon and then died, declaring that, remembering what
she had said in her determination to go to the dance, she
used the knife because she was overwhelmed by horrible
suspicions as to who it was that, personating J.," be-
came her partner. The Boston Post declares that these
statements are all strictly true, and can be vouched for by
the very best authority.l

The French are a cheerful race, and find a joke
in things where no other people would think of looking
for one. A short time since a steamboat explosion on the
Lower Mississippi blew a Frenchman's better-half
into the bushes and another world, whereupon the
bereaved husband exclaimed—" Farewell, my much
e-steamed wife ?"

THE FRENCH BISHOPS AND THE COUNCIL.—The
Liberte contradicts the report that has been circulated
respecting the withdrawal of the French Bishops from
the Council, on the plea of urgent business. No
bishop, is allowed to leave Rome without a special
authorisation from the committee appointed to settle the
matter. Mgrs. Darbory and Dupanloup are expected
to visit their dioceses for Easter, but they will return to
Rome afterwards. The Pope has resolved to
postpone any appointment of cardinals until after
the discussion of the dogma of infallibility in
order that it may not appear as if these nomina-
tions were intended to convert the Opposition party.
It seems certain that Mgr. Darboy will be included in the
ranks of the new Cardinals, his prudent and reserved
conduct having been the theme of general admiration ;
and the honour willl be shared also by Mgr. Chigi, the
Papal Nuncio at Paris.
CORRUPTION IN AMERICA.—SCerideIOIIS RS was the
manner in which the American House of Representatives
allowed Mr. Whittemore, one of the members from
South Carolina, to escape expulsion after being con-
victed of selling cadetships, still more so is its decision
in the case of Mr. R. R. Rutter, of Tennessee, found
guilty of the same offence. The committee which
examined the charge was equally divided as to whether it
should recommend expulsion or a simple vote of censure.
All parties were agreed that Mr. Rutter had illegally re-
ceived payment for an appointment ; but it was urged by
the one side, in mitigation of punishment, that he had
not applied the money so received to his own use, but had
spent it for eleationeering purposes in the interest of his
party. Two reports accordingly were presented to the
House, and a vote was taken upon them on March 17.
The motion for expulsion was first made, but, failing to
receive the support of two-thirds of the members present,
it was lost, and the vote of censure was agreed to. The
result is that Mr. Rutter, though convicted of corruption,
is declared worthy to retain his seat in On QOIlaTeNl of the
Taittd htMofrierlM ciacOc.

THIRD EDITION.

SUN OFFICE, 7 o'CLocK.

IMPERIAL PARMA VIE NT.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—THIS DAY.
NEW MEMBER.
Mr. BRI TOWE took the oath awl his seat for Newark.
THE SERPENTINE.

AYRTON Paid the works going on were commenced
by the late Government, and to alter them would now oc-
casion a great expense. The removal of the mud would be
done under groat care, so that no injury should be done to
health.