Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-11-14

pin, and freely intmated that the "sleek young
cusS,' as he denominated Janson had stolen
1t. so strenuously endeavored to dissipate
the impression, that verify believe he felt
inclined to transfer the odium of the supposed
theft to me. That night Smith snOred louder
than usual.
Three days after, met Janson in the street,
and learned that he had taken rooms on Pow
ell street l did not inquire the reason-I
thought l knew it.
The next day l again met him. His face
was unusually pale, yet he said he had not felt
better for years.
''There is to be wedding in Powell street
Tomorrow, at least so Mayhem says, but there
will be no bridegroom DO You understand %
He placed his finger Significantly to his lips,
and we separated
At eight O'Clock the next evening, as Isaac
Mayhem was mounting the steps of the house
to which Janson had traced him six days be-
fore, pistol ball pierced his heart, and he
dropped dead upon the pavement. Some un-
accountable influence bad drawn me TO the
neighborhood, and hearing the report of a
pistol j Janson's words flashed thro' my mind and
| started with dozen others, in the direction
of the tragedy. Before l arrived on the spot
quite a crowd had collected. The body of
Mayhem was lying on the sidewalk, and over
it, in speechless agony, stood the widow
who was to have been bride.
"Who saw this ?'' inquired policeman.
al heard the report of pistol,'' said one
of the crowd, "and minute after, saw man
enter that house yonder,'' and he pointed to
a small frame building on the opposite side OF
the street.
In an instant, the officer, followed BY the
excited spectators, started for the house.
Springing through the crowd. l reached the
side of the policeman, and he knocked at
the door, was at his elbow. / felt that jan
son was there. The door was quickly opened,
and well dressed lady calmly inquired the
object of the visit.
1--WE are looking for man who few min
ntes since committed a murder across the
street,; said the officer.
'sAnd do You expect to find him in my room,
sir ?'' returned the lady. !.
s'No, madam replied the policeman, rath-
er politely for one of his calling; 'sbut will
glance through your apartment merely as
matter of form, before proceeding to the 9TH
er portions of the house."
The officer entered. / closely followed.
While he was examining the room, | for the
first time obtained q fair view of the lady's
face. Involuntarily, threw up my hands in
amazement. She detected the movement,
and quick as thought, placed her finger to her
lips. In a moment | comprehended ALL
Richard Janson stood before me. No-Rich-
ard no longer, now that she had slain the des-
troyer of her peace, but Martha Janson, my
former fellow lodger. Heavens what dis
covery And for me to have been SO con-
foundedly blind, too-but no matter. The
policeman searched the house, but did not
find the murderer.
The next day met Martha on Montgomery
street. She smiled and bowed, and confess
l thought her an exceedingly pretty woman.
A week after she quietly left the State for
Georgia. where she is residing. After
the sailing OF the steamer, | received note
through the post office from Martha. She ex-
planned all, and thanking me for the assistance
/ had rendered her, and the kindness shown
to her imaginary twin brother Richard.
When informed Smith, as did one even
ing, that the ''sleek young cuss' whom he had
viewed with so much suspicion was a woman,
he waited for me to repeat the assertion, and
then checked himself in the act OF charging
me with falsehood. The news excited Smith,
and he went to bed that night and snored
he had never snOred before.
She who to have been the third wife of
Mayhew still lives in San Francisco. She was
married in August last. / met her in the
street few days ago. How vividly the sight
of her face brought 10 mind the incidents l
have related She will read this little story,
perhaps, and learn for the first time, why she
did not become the wife of Mayhem, the biga-
mist.