The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-03-10

seen two or three times in the course OF the
morning on the circuit OF Presidents square,
or at the door Of Mr.. Sckles' house, which
stands quite alone on the north side Of the
square, and is very conspicuous building
Of white stucco. II was but on Tuesday
last, leo swift and fearful a dream does the
whole story seem,) that, on visiting Mrs.
Sickles, Tuesday being her day of reception,
! found Mr.. Key there, his horse waiting for
him at the door. The rooms were filed
with pleasant company the soft Spring
sunlight poured in at the open windows |;
and Mrs. Sickles herself in oil her almost
girlish beauty, wearing boquet Of eroeuses,
the 6rstlings Of the year, seemed the very
incarnation Of Spring and youth, and the
beautiful promise Of life. What is the twi-
light what the house that then was the
synonym Of hospitality, the most frank, and
generous and easy!
In the early part Of the week before last,
Mr.. Sickles went on to New York. During
his absence the busy spies Of society observ.
ed that the attendance OF Mr.. Key at his
house was even more unremittng than usual.
Mr.. Sickles returned 10 Washington on the
morning Of the day Of the Napier ball, and
from that time up to Friday last nothing oc-
CURED to make the matter OF his wife's
relations with Mr.. Key more than ordina-
rily prominent in his mind. So far was he
from maniiesting anything like inordnate or
tyrannical suspicion, that be allowed Mr..
Key TO escort Mrs. Sickles o. usual on
Pennsylvania avenue, and ! saw them, In
company with Mr.. Henry Wikof, at the
theatre on Wednesday night. On thursday
Mr.. and Mrs. Sickles entertained q large
party at dinner. Over that gay and bril-.
liant company how near and fearful doom
impended.
On the next day (the day before yester,
day. Mr.. Sckles received from some enemy
Of mankind an anonymous letter, stating
with precision 30 minute as to make suspi
cion imperative, that Mr.. Key had rented
house on Fifteenth. street, above X street,
from q negro woman, and that be was in the
habit Of meeting Mrs. Sickles there two or
three times Q week, or oftener. The person
aud dress Of Mrs. Sickles were accurately
described, and the usual time Of the inter.
view specified. Accompanied by friend,
Mr.. Sickles went to the house designated
and found every statement OF the anonymous
writer corroborsted. Mr.. Key had taken
the house and he had constantly met there
lady answering very closely In description
TO Mrs. Sickles.
MIR. Sickles still clung to the hope that
the person who had stopped to the baseness
Of making such charges under the veil Of
secrecy might have thoroughly deceived him
and that Mrs Sickles was not the lady in
question. He accordingly requested his
friend, Mr.. George Woodbridge, Of New
York, to watch the place from the window
Of house just opposite.
On Saturday, no meeting took place, and
the woman in charge seems to have stated
that none had occurred since Wednesday.
On Saturday evening. Mr.. Sekles resolved
no longer to play the spy upon bis honor,
determined to confront bis wife directly with
bis terrible suspicious. At first Mrs. Sckles
strongly denied her guilt; but on her bus
bands asking her whether, on the Wednes.
day previous, she had not entered the house
on Fifteenth street. in certain particular
dress, and concealed by n hood, she cried
out, A" am betrayed and lost - and swooDed
away. On rec0vericg her senses, she nd.
mitted her guilt, and besougbt mercy and
pardon. Mr.. Sickles calmly said he would
not injure her, since he believed her the
victim OF q scouDdrel, but that be had
right TO fall confession. Two ladies 10 the
house were sent for a. witnesses, and in their
presence, Mr.. Sickles made a full eonf,suon
an rrttmg, stating that her connection with
Mr.. Key had commenced 10 April last, under
Mr.. Sickles' roof, bu, that Mr.. key had
since hired the house iD Fifteenth street, in
which they had constantly met. Mrs. Sickles
confession was made in the midst Of the
bit,erest coutrition and misery. Her hus-
band simply asked her to give him back her
wedding ring. an1 desired her TO write 10
her mother 10 come aud take her flom bis
house forever Mrs 5ickIes made no OBJ
fctions. admitting the justice Of her pun
ishmeni 10 the most affecting language. Her
mother will arrive 10 morrow TO remove her
from this fearful scene Of guilt, remorse, and
blood
Once having quilted the prc>epee Of biz
wife, Mr.. SickIes gave way 10 the most ter
rble emotion, and pssssd the night 10
state bordering on distractioD--s feeling
which was worked into madDess this morning
on seeing the cause Of HE misery. Mr.. Key,
with gay aud.ci'y pss opposite the window
Of bis wibes room and wave his handkacbIef
the uual sisra! for assigpsiion.
Asking Mr.. Bui,erwortb, Who xss at hi.
house, 10 follow Key and eagage him 10
conversation 70 tba, be would not get op,
Of sight, b. rushed up stairs for his pistols.
and quickly following, ioubd Bu,ierwortb
and key together q, the corner Of SiItesn,h
street, where ,he tragedy took place.
On coming NJ siekIes walked directly ,o
key. and sald. Yoc have dishonored my
bed and family you soouDdrsl-prep~re 10
DE at the sam time drawing his pistol.
Almsst simultaneously hey paosd bis hand
in-lde hs wi, and dfasing aha, appeared