Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-04-05
EVENING STAR.
PALMER, THE P0Is0NER
ICONCLUDED.l

account OF IL, so lar as We can recollect, In his
own words:
q was passing the latter part of the sum-
mer of 49, in the city of Boulsgue, where L
had gone to escape the heats of the Boule-
wards of Paris. 1t was my habit to dine while
here at little cafe On the quay, nearly op-
poslte to the usual landing place Of the Lon
don steamer.
soon came to know all the habitues Of
this cafe, and was particularly attracted to-
ward one quiet gentleman, who, dressed in
black, whose manners were subdued, and
with whom L soon grew into terms of init
macy. L think 1 have never met with a
person, before or since, whose Information
upon all the current topics of the day was 60
precise, 80 extensive, and so entirely at com
mand. l am quite sure that gained more
knowledge of the government, social condi-
tlon, and commerce of France, from this gen.
tleman's remarks than from all other sources
combined; nor has subsequent familiarity
with life in that country shown that there was
:; ny falsity In his statements. He talked very
i;ellngly and knowingly of all the new scien-
tifc inquiries of the day In respect to some
his information may doubtless have been su-
perhcial; but in the matter Of chemical Sci
ence Ito which L had myself paid considera-
BILE attentiOD) L was sure that he had read and
experimental understandingly.
Cur talk turned one day upon poisons he
detailed to me with surprising particularly
the influence of certain active poisOns upon
brutes. He told me that at one period of his
life (he could hardly have been at that
time more than five and thirty he had ps
culiar passion for experiments of that kind
" remarked that it was we'll that the Sc
crets OF medical science were generally out of
the reach of those whose temptations or want
or suffering led to crime.
90 And yet said L, it is n blessed thing
that there is no poison after all so subtle but
that chemical tests will find some trace of il,
and reveal the cause of death
{" am not sure of that, said he.
81 fixed my regard upon him attentively,
in expectation that he would 60 on to justify
the remark. But he said nothing fancied
that he seemed embarrassed for a moment
but presently in laughing tone added Iii
there was such a subtle poison as TO take
away life without leaving a trace, the knowI-
edge of it would make very dangerous Sc
cret-tOO dangerous to be talked of
q He then diverted conversation to the Jour-
mails of the morning. l respected his scru.
Piles, and did not alluGe to the subject again
In the course of our intimacy, he had. on
one or two occasions, borrowed small sums of
money from me, which he had repaid prompt
ly. At an early stage of our acquaintance he
had given me his card, and had known him
merely as Mr.. White.
"On repaying me one day a small sum for
for deceit which he had practised; NV
name said he, is not White it is Vain.
wIigh.. was once in the possession of a con-
siderable fortune, but was tempted to enter
into foolish speculation which ruined me-
L am living here to be out Of the reach of my
creditors; and to avoid the notice cf any old
friends who might be passing this way, have
adopted the name Of White
81 had often Eeard the story of the Eng.
lish exiles of BoulOgne, and knew III nothing
was more common than a run thither to es-
cape the close courts of Mar.helses. Icannot
say that the explanation affected at all the
terms Of our chance intimacy
" Some two months had elapsed after this
when one morning [ received at my lodging
hurried not from Wainwright, saying:
" For Heavens sake, come and give me a
word or two. L am in the city prison ask
for White; explanations when you come
81 went to see him. He was in a CAV hu-
NOR; a little excited, it seemed to me by the
novelty of his position.
They have got up trumpery criminal
charge against me, said he, in the hope of
getting me across the channel and once
there, why am at the mercy Of my credi-
tors
'' L asked him what the charge was.
GO Murder said he, with a strange smile,
and ingeniOus-very ingenious.
"Of course L was intensely curious to know
the particulars.
"'Oh, never mind nOw,' said hs, you'll
know them all soon enough. L dare say they
will have 1t in the papers. l must beg You
to see these people, and to see the British Con
sui. They are quite wrong, their action is
altogether illegal
81 gave him what aid could in bearing
messages and in visiting the British off .iai in
his behalf.
"The result showed that he was correct
The charge was not properly sustained, and
the claim upon the Government for VAIN
wright was not made good. He was discharged,
after only two days confinement, and was once
more a h6bitue of the little cafe upon the
quay.
Wainwright" said l, one morning, "what
was all that affair Of the murder accusa-
tion ?''
"For Gods sake don't ask me; dare
say You will see it all some day in the pa
pers."
- did not refer to the subject again
W hen left Boulogue, which L did shortly af-
terward, he bade me adieu with good deal
of feeling.
G. owe you more than you know off, said
he; but think shall go to England the
coming month, and they may do their worst
Of course, you will read all about it in the
reports. was once reporter myself" con-
tinued he. know what a godsend it will
be for them"
"And to be sure did read all about it in
the Times newspaper the same winter. David
Wainwright was put upon his trial for mrr-
der. 1t appeared that he had secured heavy
insurance, to the amount, think, of fIs,OO0,
upon the life Of a young girl, who was living
under his guardianship. Of the history of
this girl, or of her family, nothing was def
nitely known. lie had perhaps dt was init
mated) taken her out of the streets of London,
selecting her for her ruddy face and general
air of health. She had been we'll clothed and
cared for by Wainwright. 1t could not be
shown that any improper intimacy had exist
ei between them
On one Oc 3asion he had taken her to the
theatre in the Haymarket, and on their return
they had supped together at his lodgings. Di-
rectIy after supper she was taken violently i'll.
A physician was Immediately sent for. Vain
wright met the physician at the door, and said
to him, in substance:
"The girl is very sick; fear she may die
1 must beg you to give especial attention to
L. onI ~