Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1855-01-13
From The .4merican Union.
TIE SUICIDE.
An INCIDENT OF NEW YEARS EVE.

On the night of the 3lst Of December,
l8--, or, as it is usually called, New
Years Eve" party OF ofeighleen or twcn-
ty persons were seated round a glowing
fire, in the house of a gentleman, whose
name we shall cali Denton.
The party had been gathered for the
express purpose of having frolic, during
which the company intended to watch the
death Of the Old, and welcome the birth
of the New Year. Choice wines, rich
cake, and fruits of various kinds, had
been freely induged IN by all present;and
the spirits Of some were more elatcd than
usual. Dancing had been dispensed with,
owing to complaints OF headache and IA
Ggue, and all were seated, when Lima
Denton, gay, mirth-loying girl Of six
teen, proposed playing "Candog."
All assented and upon Lima devolved
the task Of propoundlng such questions
as she deemed proper, each and all 10 be
answered by those questioned, on penalty
of paying forfeit for each offence. She
had gone half round the circle, calling
forth peals of laughter by the comicaI
questions and mock-tragic answers OF
some, when the next person in rotation
happened TO be Mr.. Sanders, an old
bachelor. He was an intimate friend Of
Lina's parents, who were acquainted with
every incident Of his lie. In spite Of
Lina's coaxing, they had often refused to
tell why Mr.. Sanders had never married.
With twinkling eye and meaning smile
on her rosy lips, she asked
"What are you thinking of at this mo-
ment 2"
"The past" was the laconic answer.
Every voice was hushed, and all wal
ted for the next question.
Were you ever III love =
"Yes."
"Were you ever engaged to be mar
ried."
"Yes," again was the rajoinder.
"Did your Iady.love prove inconstant?"
"No."
"What then bIiChted your prospects p
death !" was the thrilling reply.
The midnight hour struck Just as the
word "death" issued from the pale lips
of MIR. Sanders. All turned their eyes
as well as thoughts toward him; but the
strong man had tainted. Mr.. and Mrs.
Denton were summoned, who had him
conveyed as soon as possible to his home.
One by one the company departed, prom
isng in low tones TO meet again on the
morrow. The morrow found all, true to
their several promises, assembled in Mr..
Denton's parlor-Mr. Sanders, Of course,
being the chief topic Of conversation.
Mr.. Denton appeared with . sad coun-
tenance, and bidding all be seated, an.
nounced the unthought of fact, that Mr..
Sanders was dead--a self murderer. All
were horror-sruck ; but never will the
expression of Lina's countenance be for
gotten.
We learned the next day that Mr.. San
ders had left note in his chamber, eX-
planning the cause Of his committing the
rash act; he begged that Miss Lima
Denton would not blame herself for ask
ing the questions she did )" that they
had nothing 10 do with his death, for he
had long contemplated suicide, and tho'tI
the New Year would be favorable time
to enter upon the long-wished-for rest-to
meet his dead love-to sleep the last, long
sleep of death,
New Years Eve has come and gone
several times since the suicide OF Mr..
Sanders; and though many who formed
the company have been scattered abroad,
yet those who still meet as of old, always
recall to mind the tragic incidents Of that
eventful night.