The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-07-19
MISCELLANY.
A Sensation Story.

e A Quebec contemporary, In the French Ian
guage, gives publicity 10 the following genu-
: Inc sensation story. We translate 1t Tor the
benefit OF the lovers of the sublime and terri
BILE; and We are Tree to confess that it is both
mysterious and misty:
A few days ago, in certain. part of the
baniieR of Quebec, scene was witnessed
which affords ample material for conjecture
relative to the mysterious Intentions of the
actors who therein figured. Subjoined are
the facts as We had them related to us A re-
spectacle citizen entered the market with an
other individual, for the purpose of purchas-
/. ing Q property of small value, but the parties
In treaty did not agree as to the price. Some
days alter, third party presented himself IN
the dwelling of the would-be purchaser, ano
after several general observations, stumbled
In conversation upon the projected bargain,
remarking to the intended buyer, that II he
would go to the proprietors house with three
hundred dollars, ready money, he would be
sure TO obtain the property immediately, for"
added the speaker, "the money will tempt
him.,, This strange Individual also offered to
accompany the purchaser. The latter accept
ed the suggestion, put three hundred dollars
In his pocket, and started with his companion
TO 60 to the house OF the owner OF the proper
ty, which dwelling was completely isolated.
1t was evening. On entering the purchaser
alone In the house, and that no member of
the family was there; but he did remark, that
Immediately after he had entered with his
companion the master of the house locked the
Z front as well as the back door-a very suspi-
cious precaution. The owner of the property
IN question now began to praise highly the
house he occupied and in which all the par
ties were, which, however, was not the prop
erty contemplated in the transaction, and
fral ed
tended purchaser the cellar, stating that 1t
possessed admirable accommodation. At this
point the ideas of our buyer became more and
more beclouded, 5nt he had perception enough
TO regard his two companions as men OF sin
lister appearance and still more sinister in
tentions. Consequently he refused to descend
into the cellar, although the trap-door was al
ready open and he was only separated from it
by a step, having at either side one of his
companions urging him to proceed. BY rap
ID glance. which terror already influenced, he
saw before him q deep cellar without steps in
tervening-a yawning abyss, dark as the
gloomy designs which he already suspected
his sinister companions of entertaining TO.
wards him. The invitation to descend began
10 be too pressing, when the startled pur-
eli aser heard the bar of the house-door NOV
ing and being struck. The seller went and
opened the door, when he saw his wife, who,
having let 10 80 10 cnufcu nau IoEgotieu ntr
prayer-book. The owner Of the $500 speedily
profited by the occasion Of the opened door,
to retreat from the premises which had al
ready become exceedingly disagreeabie. He
effected his escape, II may readily be believed,
without naming a second meeting for the next
day. or stopglng to shake cordially the hands
of his two friends. Now this was, unmis-
taksbly, snare laid with the object Of murder
and robbery! Were the other members Of the
family OF the proprietor innocent of the dread
full design? Has the happy accident of this
woman, In forgetting her prayer-book, pre-
vented crime? The explanation Of this
mysterious affair can only be found In the
hearts of sthe two designing parties them
selyes.