Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-09-22

ethere is eeftsin mystery about your move
ments calculated to give rise to suspicious any
thing but favorable" ,'''5
"0f what nature?" inquired my companion.
That you are gambler, or even worse" I
He smiled as he replied /: I. Yes, YES, see
yet the suspicion wrongs me.n
MAKE 1t appear So" l answered, and
yen shall not want friend" cvI- err
Promise that you will not divulge what 1
may tell you, or attempt by word or act to
thwart me in the accomplishment of purpose
to which 1 have pledged my soul, he said,
looking me earnestly in the face, :" and you
shall have the proof you require" ,.'' ~
'eIf your purpose is not criminal, promise;
IL otherwise, keep your secret" was my an
swer. ~. '.
lis what you would do, or any other man
worthy Of the namen -. .'-
g Tnsh I promise, here is my hand.,'
Li.teh, u he resumed, taking my arm, and
walking slowly on, +" have twin sister. We
were born in Georgia and our parents were the
possessors Of q hundred si.ses and q pl sntstion
large enough to give all employment When
We were fourteen our father died At the age of
sixteen my sister became a convert, during a
religious revival and six months after, in the
face OF the determined opposition of nay mother
ran away with and married q young preacher,
to whose eloquence the revival owed It's origin
My sister did not love the man. Her feelings
Tor him were religious enthusiasm, fancy
wrought upon BY an unnatural initiation.
Learning that they were married, my good
mother sent for them, and they returned to
receive her blessing. The plantation was
placed In charge Of my sisterfs husband, and
he relinquished the Gospel He frequently
visited New Orleans, and other of tho large
Southern cities, during the first year of bis
marriage, but the circumstances excited no
ruspicion H- -f-t.E .... 100 l.F-
"To be brief, before two years elapsed. the
large estate left by our father was swept from
as, and We were almost bankrupt He had in
duced my mother to mortgage the plantation,
with the view, he said, of purchasing more me-
groes to work 1t, but the noneywas squandered
and the slaves we had we're secretly sold by
hves and tens, until less than dozen remained.
When asked to explain to my mother, he had
no excuse to offer In the midst of this great
grief another wife of Mayhew-that was the
villains name-suddenly made her appearance
at the plantation. Learning the residence of
her husband, but knowing nothing of his Sec
ond marriage, she had left South Carolina to
meet him. My poor sister was heart-broken
Mayhem, to escape prosecution, fed from the
State. His first wife was sent to the mad
house, and in three months my poor old mother
was laid in the churchyard. My grief bowed
sister-but will not speak of her. Turning
the wreck of our property into money, 1 started
In pursuit of the scoundrel who had dealt such
havoc with our peace. Through dozen States
l tracked him, and returned with my mission
OF vengeance unaccomplished. One year ago
by accident / learned he was in Californis,
AS soon as recovered from a serious illness
under which 1 was laboring, took passage
for this State 1 arrived six months ago. He
is here, for have seen him, and he cannot
escape me now He is even in this city, but
little dreams that the pistol is shotted to send
him to the great reckoning 1 have made few
acquaintances, having no wish to implicate
others in work of blood that must be mine
alone. Last night followed him from the Ell
Dorado, where he spends most Of his time, to
house on Powell street. He has visited it
frequently of late, and to-day ascertained
that he is paying his addresses to widow
lady of wealth residing there. But he will
not marry her, for another week shall not see
him alive, You now know all. Have / one
friend in California ~ -.
To see 30 much spirit, 60 much determine
ton, so much manhood exhibited by beard
less boy, surprised me beyond expression.
offered the brave little fellow my hand, and
he felt that he was answered. In silence we
returned to our lodgings. Bidding Jansen
good night, / stepped into Smiths room for a
moment I found the old gentleman some-
what agitated He had lost a valuable dia.
mond pin that day, and freely intimated that
the "sleek young cuss," as he denominated
Jansen, had stolen it. l so strenuously en-
deayored to dissiLate the impression, that I
verify believe he felt inclined to transfer the
odium Of the supposed theft to me- That night
Smith snored louder than usual 4
Three days after, met Jansen in the street
and learned that he had taken rooms on Powell
street. did not inquire the reason, I thought
knew it. The next day again met him. His
face was unusually pale, yet be said he had not
felt better for years. "There is to be a wed.
ding on 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
10 which Jansen had traced him six days before.
a pistol ball pierced his heart, and he dropped
dead upon the pavement. Some unaccountable
influence had drawn me to the neighborhood,
and hearing the report Of a pistol, Jansen q
words flashed through my mind, and I started,
with dozen Others in the direction of the
tragedy. Before arrived on the spot quite
crowd had collected. The body of Msyhev
was lying upon the sidewalk, and over it, 10
speechless agony, stood the widow, who was to
have been bride. ,,.- ,...-. .. .nits..
"Who saw this?" inquired q policeman.
"I heard the report Of pistol - said one of
the crowd, /" and, a minute after, saw man
enter that house yonder," and he pointed to Z
small frame building on the opposite side of
the street. y.ia Z 5'ttii
In an instant the oficer, followed by the sx-
cited spectators, started for the house Spring
ing through the crowd, reached the side Of
the policeman, and, as he knocked at the doer,
was at his elbow. felt that Jansen was
there The door was quietly opened, and Z
welI-dressed lady calmly inquired the object of
the visit .st@JF NF
We are looking for man who, few min
utes since, committed murder across the
street, . said the officer. = ss.. e-.o b. a3,s
'.And do you expect to find him in my room,
sir p, continued the lady, e
No, madam, !" replied the policeman, rather
politely for one Of his calling; "but I Rifi
glance through your apartment, merely ~ .
matter Of form, before proceeding to the other
portions Of the house, ta3 = a-d430
The officer entered, I closely following.
While he was examining the room, T. for the
hrst time obtained q fair view of the lady's
face. Invoiuntarily threw up my hands in
amazement. She detected the movement, and,
quick as thought, placed her finger on her lips.
In moment comprehended all. Richard
Jansen stood before me. No-Richard no long,
or, now that she had slain the DESTROYER Of her
peace, but Martha Jansen. my former fellow
lodger. Heavens, what discoyeryi And for