New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-06-08
REcoLLEcT1oNs OF A POLICE OFFICER.
Tfle Monomanial


Tbf Haonomaniae.
On arriving in London, in 1881, took lodg-
ings at a Mr.. Renshawe's, in Mile End Road,
not far from the turnpike gate. My inducement
to do so was partly the cheapness and neatness
of the accommodation, and partly that the land
lords maternal uncle, a Mr.. Oxley, was slightly
known. to me. Henry Renshawe / knew by
reputation only, he having left Yorkshire ten or
eleven years before, and even that knowledge
was slight and vague. l had heard that q
tragical event had cast deep shadow over his
after-ife; that he had been for some months the
inmate of private lunatic asylum; and that
some persons believed his brain had never thor
oughly recovered its originally healthy action.
In this opinion both my wife and myself very
soon concurred; and yet am not sure that we
could have given a satisfactory reason for such
belief. He was, it is true, usually kind and
gentle, even to the verge of simplicity, but his
general mode of expressing himself, and con-
ducting business, was quite coherent and sensi-
BILE; although, in spite Of his resigned cheerful
ness Of tone and manner, it was at times quite
evident that whatever the mental hurt he had
received, it had left ranking, perhaps remorse-
full, sting behind, A small, well executed por-
trait in his sitting room, suggested conjecture
of the nature of the calamity which had befallen
him. 1t was that Of a fair, mild-eyed, very
young woman, but of O pensiye, almost mourn
full, cast of features, as if the coming event,
briefly recorded in the lower right hand corner
Of the painting, had already, during life and
health, cast its projecting shadow over her.
That brief record was this: "Laura Har-
greaves, born 1904; drowned 1921" Nodirect
allusion to the picture ever passed his lips, in
my hearing, although, from being able to chat
together Of Yorkshire scenes and times, we
speedily became excellent friends. Still, there
were not wanting, from time to time, significant
indications, though difficult place in evidence
that the fire of insanity had not been wholly
| quenched, but still smouldered and Slowed be-
meath the habit hardened crust which concealed
it from the careless or casual observer. Exciting
circumstances, not very long after my arrival
in the metropolis, unfortunately kindled those
brief wild sparkles into furious and consuming
flame.
Mr.. Renshawe was in fair circumstances
that is. his income, derived from funded property
alone, was nearly e300 year; but his habits
were close, thrifty, almost miserly. His per-
sonal appearance was neat and gentlemanly
but he kept no servant. A charwoman came
form other household work, and he usually
dined, very simply, at cotfee-house or tavern.
His house, with the exception of a sitting and
bed room, was occupied by dodgers. Amongst
these was pale, weakly looking young man Of
the name Of Irwin. He was suffering from pull
monary consumption-a disease induced, was
informed, by his careless folly in remaining in
his wet clothes after having assisted, during the
greater part of the night, at q large fire at a
coach factory. His trade was in gold and sill
yer lace work--bullion for epaulettes. and so oa
and as he had good connection with several
west-end establishments, his business appeared
to be thriving one-so much so, that he usual
ly employed several assistants of both sexes
He occupied the first floor, and workshop at
the end of the garden. His wife, q pretty -fesl-
tured, well-formed, graceful young woman, Of
not more than two or three and-twenty, was
they told me, the daughter of school-master
and certainly had been gently and carefully
nurtured. They had one child, sprightly
years old. The wife, Ellen Irwin, was re-
puted to be first-rate hand at some of th,
| lighter parts of her husbands business and hel
efforts to tighten his toll, and compensate by
increased exertion for his daily diminishing
| capacity for labor, We're unwearing and inces
SAINT. Never have seen more GENTLE thought
| full tenderness, than was displayed by that
young wife towards her suffering. and some.
times not quite evenly tempered partner, who
| truthfully her affection-all the more so, per.
haps, that he knew their time together upor
earth was already shrunk to o brief span. Ii
my opinion, Ellen Irwin was handsome, ever
an elegant young person; this, however, is il
some degree o. matter of taste. But no on,
could deny that the gentle kindness, the beam
ing compassion, that irradiated her features a
she tended the fast sinking invalid, rendered hel
ut such times absolutely beautiful-angeliset
her, to use an expression of my wife's s,with whom
she was prime favorite. l was self debating
for about the twentieth time one evening, wher'
| it was had formerly seen her, with that sad
mournful look of hers for seen her was sur,
had, and not long since either 1t was to,
!. late; had just returned home; my wife was il
| the sick room, and had entered it with two OF
three oranges. ssOh, now / remember sud
denly exclaimed, just above my breath; 's tn
picture in Mr.. Renshawes room! What q re
markable coincidencew
| A low, chuckling laugh, close at my elbow
caused me to turn quickly towards the door
Just within the threshold stood Mr.. Renshawe
looking like white stone image rather than
living man, but for the fierce sparkling of hi
strangely cleaning eyes, and the mocking, tri
umphant curl Of his lips. 'sYou, too, have a
last observed it, then''' he muttered, faint1
echoing the under-tone in which l spoke !; &c
have known the truth for many weeks" Th
manner, the expression, not the words, quit
startled me. At the same moment, cry o
women rang through the room, and imme
diately seized Mr.. Renshawe by the arm, ant
drew him forcibly away, for there was that il
his countenance which should not meet the eye
Of a dying man.
"What were you saying' What truth hay
you known for weeks?' ?'' asked, as soon as W
had reached his sitting room.
4 Before he could answer, another wailing soun'
ascended from the sick-room. Lightning leape
from Renshawes lustrous, dilated eyes, and tn
exulting laugh again, but louder, burst fror
his lips &c Ha ha ~ he fercely exclaimed: &c
know that cry 1t is Deaths deaths! Thrice
blessed death, whom have so often ignorantl
cursed! But. that" he added quickly, an
peering sharply in my face, &c was when, as 70
| i-,,s.z Il bo 4aa+