Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1865-04-26
mistellaneous.
A NIGHT ON THE BATTERY.
BLACK Mailing IN New York.


York paper
Some time since notice was sent to the
headquarters of the police that mischief
was brewing On the Battery. A vessel
cleared at the Custom House to sail that
day. She went little way down the
harbor and then dropped anchor. 1t was
understood that at dark she was to send
boat ashore-take on board quantity of
contraband goods and sail before morning.
The police were on the alert. An expe-
rienced officer was detailed TO look after
the matter, and arrest all parties engaged
in it. The night was cold, dark and
stormy. While waiting the progress of
events, tie attention of the officer was
directed to solitary man walking back
and forth on the old sea wall-agitated as
if some great grief pressed bin or. The
policeman, satisfied that the man intended
suicide, went up to him, touched him
lightly on the shoulder, and in kind tone
said to him, mot to-night-not how
the water is cold-,vou cannot quite make
up your mind to leave you wife, children
and friends, and take great leap in the
dark-don't do it to night" Startled as
If from a revere. the man threw back his
head and in angry tones demanded, ''Who
the - are you 2" In an instant he
recognized the officer, "Good God, is il
you. --? How did you know what
came here fors Have been speaking
my thoughts out in words7'' The officer
led him TO a seat. In Il moment he added,
Z" You shall know all You shall see why
/ throw away life that is not worth the
keeping. l am in hell daily. can. en-
dure this no longer. | will seek rest be-
meath The quiet waters" The officer left
the poor fellow under the care of An aid,
while he attended the duty that called him
to the battery, which was soon and sue
cessfully done. He then sought the in
tended suicide and led him up to bis story.
Once there and alone, he told his story.
''In my youth" said he, & was
guilty Of an indiscretion, and put myself
in the power of one of those cold -blooded
and heartless wretches who pander to the
most depraved passions OF men, and live
on The ruins of the virtuous. paid her
the sum of money demanded to purchase
her silence and heard 40 more from her
tor years. The whole thing passed from
my mind. 1t was settled, and l supposed
l should never hear Oft again. l gained
The confidence OF my employers-arose in
position, and from confidential clerk be-
came partner. have done well.
have prospercd, as you know, and married
the daughter of my partner. She is a
noble girl, and love her better than life.
In short time after / received at the
store letter written in a fine hand, and
signed by the name of one of the most
notorious women of New York. She re-
gretted the necessity that made it needful
for her 10 write the letter, but she was
greatly reduced. She had money to pay.
She knew not how to meet the present
difficulty unless her friend, underscoring
the word, would loan her a small Sum-say
S50-for short time. I did not know
the woman, but l soon found out who it
was under the new name demanded loan
from me. l knew that her eye had not
been off me for one moment. Among the
many names that graced her list mine was
written that she could wait her time and
had done so, and in this polite manner
had asked for black mail at the time when
dare not refuse. l sent the sum to her
that she demanded. The call was re-
peated that year till l paid the sum of
$500 dollars Regularly since l have
been compelled to respond For two
years [ accounted for the money. My
financial condition is known to nv father
in-law. Soon an investigation will bring
affairs to light. The sum demanded keeps
pace with my supposed business success.
This time 1 must loan the leech 1880,
or an exposure will take place, cannot