The north Iowa times. [volume] (M'Gregor [i.e. McGregor], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1857-01-30

THE INVALID WIFE

Not the least painful Of the various du-
ties connected with the detection Of crime,
is the sometimes necessary one Of reveal
ing husbands guilt to his wife.
anticipated severe trial Of my feel
ings in making such a disclosure during
the progress of recent important case
where the mail robber was in possession
of q mail-key by means OF which he had
committed extensive depredstions. He
was at length detected. and has lately
entered upon ten years term in the state
prison.
Ia On his arrest he manifested much solici-
tude for his wife. fearing thai tho intelli-
gence, Of his situation would overPower
her. '.She Is in feeble health at best"
| said he. "aud am afraid this will Kill
her" -..f Es. "''.
1. WAS necessary, however, that | should
see her in order TO get possession OF some
funds. a part of the proceeds Of the rob-
berries, Which her husband had committed
to her keeping. Furnished with writ
ten order from the prisoner, and leaving
him in the marshal's custody, l proceed
ed to call on the invalid, racking my brains
on the way to her residence, for some
mode of communicating the unpleasant
truth W. ich should disclose it gradually,
and spare her feelings as much as poss.
ible. .a @ a.f
On my arrival at the boarding-house,
the note was sent to the lady's room.
1t read as follows: -.-.s
"MY DEAR Susan:
Will you hand to the bearer roll OF
bank notes which l left with you.
.... s.......- -s.e u EDWIN"
The lady soon made her appearance.-
She was young. rather prepossessing, and
evidently in delicate health. Finding ]
was tho bearer Of the note, she addressed
me, expressing great surprise that her
husband had sent request SO unusual
and with an air Of independence. observed
that she did not "know about paying over
money under such circumstances to an
entire stranger" ts Ea
Desiring not to mortify her unnecessa-
rily by making explanations in the pres
ence of others, l requested her to step in.
to vacant room near at hand, and, after
closing the door, l said in u low tone.
at is an extremely painful thing for me
Mrs. NJ. but as you do not seem
inclined to comply with your husbands
order, l must tell you plainly tina, the
money was taken from the mails by him
There is no mistake. about it. He has
had mail-kcy which l have just rccov
cred. and has madea full ack nowledgmen
of his numerous depredations. l beg o.
you to bear this dreadful news with forti
tude. No one will think less Of you OF
account Of his dishonest conduct
expected TO see the poor woman fain
Immediately. and had mentally prepared
myself for every emergency. but, a mo
ment after. should have been more likely
to have fallen into that condition, if as
tonishment could ever produce such al
effect. for rs soon as had finished wha
was saying, she stood, il possible, mor'
erect than before, and with some fire il
her eye, and one arm "akimbo," she re
piled in spirited manner: f.
'.Well, If he has done that, he's
darned fool to own it Wouldn't!
She gave up the money, however, soo'
> after, and although the recklessncss !uis
played in the speech above quoted. seem
ed to make it probable that she was i'm
!, pDicsted in her husbands guilt. it after
wards appeared that this exhibition 0
'.spunk" was due to the impulses of
high-spirited and excitable nature, whicl
sometimes. as in the present instance
broke away from control, and went beyon'
!, the bounds Of decorum. Such An ebulli
ton Of passion indicated. in her case,
: less degree of moral luxity than it woul
have shown in one differently cons,itu
q led. qa ie ao 81 81
In . subsequen; examination of thei
alnr,men. in search of other funds an
I missing drafts, a touching incident occur
red. ssrikinyly displaying, when taken j
> connection with tie outbreak just mer
!. toned. the lights AS well as shades Of a
impulsive character. a
During this examination, it becam
necessary to investigate the contents Of
well-illed trunk. and this was done b
, the lady herself. under my supervision
i After several layers Of wearing appar'
had been taken out. she suddenly pause
in her work. and wiped away fallin
tear. as she gased into the trunk. Thinl
: ing that some important evidence Of hi
: husbands crimes was lurking beneal
the garments remaining. and that Ter hes
tation was owing TO reluctance on hi
!. part to be instrumental in convicting hin
l reached forward and was about to col
tinue the examination myself. when 81
{. interposed my arm and said sobbingly.
"Those are the little clothes Of o,
poor baby-they haven't been disturbe
since his death. and can't bear TO mo,
them.', ga &stI @
II A second glance into the trunk confirm
ed her sad story. forthere were the lit
:, shoes. scarcely soiled, the delicately en-
broidered skirts and waists-all the app
rel 90 familiar to mothers eye. whicl
: in its grieving remembrance Of the depa
ted child. lm
o 'Stufis out his vacant garments with his form.
-, A simila- affection had taught me
n. appreciate the sacredness of such relic