The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1839-03-30
THE STRANGE DISCOVERY

ore, an hotel known by the name of the
Renard dor. 1t does not exist at the pres
ent day, but at the time am speaking of
was much frequnted by persons from the
south of France, who came TO Paris with
the intention of stopping few days. A.
mongst the persons who were in the habit
of residing there, during their stay in our
metropolis, was a Madame Launsy, the
widow of rich banker of Bordeaux, who
came every year for the purpose Of receiv-
ing her dividends, and transacting such 9TH
er business as circumstances might require.
On her arrival late one evening from Bor-
dsaux, she was informed, by the lsndlady
Of the Renard dor, with pIofusion OF
apologies, that unless Madame would for
once put up with small room, containing
tive beds, she should be unable to accom-
modate her. To this Madame Launay re-
piled, she had no objection for few days,
as Julie, her waiting woman, could sleep in
the same room, and when opportunity of
fered they might be better accommodated.
The hostess curtsied assent, and Madame
Launay was shown to her apartment, where,
after partaking of some slight refreshment,
she, with her maid, very soon retired to
their separate beds, and in profound sleep
forgot the fatigue of theft journey, and the
comparative inconvience Of their lodgings.
In the middle Of the night Julie awoke,
and finding her mouth parched from the still
feversh excitement of the journey, got out
of bed to obtain a draught of water from
the dressing-table. As Madame Launay al
ways slept with candle in her room, she
had no difficulty in finding the water, and
was returning into bed when her eye fell up
on handsome travelling cloak, which was
lying blythe bedside of her mistress. This
Julie had admired during the whole of the
journey, and as it had been sent home but
few hours previous to their leasing Bor-
deaux, had escaped the fate of the rest of
her nistress's wardrobe, which was usual
ly tfied on by her previous to being deliver
ed. The opportunity was not to be resis-
ted; the candle burnt opposite long glass,
80 that she could try it on to the best advan-
tags. "Ah 4! really, do look extremely
well in it," said she, standing first on one
side and then on the other, TO see herself
to more advantage, and this bonnet, too,
is very becoming, Ireally wonder the men
are 30 devoid of taste as to suffer me to con-
tinue still unmarried" and with sigh she
dropped the cloak and bonnet, tript into bed,
aRd in few minutes was dreaming of some
Avored swain throwing himself at her feet,
and with most becoming importantly pres
sing her 70 name the happy day.
Her dreams were SO delightful that she
would have willingly continued them much
longer, had net the sun, which shone with
all the brightness Of clear summers day,
warned her ii was time to get up and pre-
pare for her mistress's rising. She could
net refrain from glancing towards the object
which had been the source of such pleasing
reveries, but much to her astonishment the
cloak was no where to be seen. She search
ed all over the room without success
Could her mistress have been awake, and
meant this as hint for her vanity. She
looked towards her bed to see if she were
then awake, and enjoying her surprise
Her mistress seemed to be asleep. She
must then have hid the cloak in the bed. She
gently turned down the clothes to see il
her suspicious were confirmed, and to hel
horror beheld the bed deluged with blood
Her mistress kad been murdered, during
the night, by some one who had struck hei
10 the heart; and so truly had the blow beer
given, that she had expired without making
neise sufficient to awake even her fellow
lodger. Julie, by her screams, brough
several persons TO the room to ascertain tn,
cause, amongst whom was the landlady
who was 30 alarmed for the respectability
of her establishment, that she declared nom
but Julie could have committed the atroclou
act; and despite Of her repeated prOtesta
tons Of innocence, called in the police whC
barely give the poor girl time to dress befor,
they hurried her off 70 prison-te eontem
plate alone on the misfortune that had befal
len herself and mistress.
Julie found her situation far from an en-
viable one; to lie looked upon by the worlt
as the murderess Of her mistress, was re
voting enough by itself-besides which
there appeared but little hope that she shoul'
escape being found so, by those who wer
TO decide her fate; since she could not bu
confess to herself, that suspicious wer
strongly against her. II was strange veIl
strange, she thought; the more so, as sh
could not even hazard a conjecture as to tn
real offender, who had without doubt, 81
contrived as to throw the whole suspicion
upon her.