Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1869-02-26
A Young Nemesis.

DETECTIVES stories are rarely devoid
of interest, and when truthfulness is q
prominent element of their matter, they
acquire positive Importance in the eyes of
the general reader. The one told by the
officer, in the New Orleans Piedyune, and
printed below, is no exception to the rule.
As a record of facts, giving prominence to
the keenness and courage of a woman, 1t
will be found worthy of perusal:
In 1S48 a circumstance occurred in New
Orleans which, at the time, created an ex
element which affected the entire popula-
ton. An old merchant, highly connected,
wealthy, and of distinguished social posi-
tion, one night mysteriously disappeared.
His family were in infinite distress, and his
business in consequent disorder. He left
his store at a late hour, ostensibly to go
home; but before going, contrary to his
usual practice, he put in his pocket
large sum of money. His way led along
Peters street, on the bank of the river, far
down in the Third district of the city.
His life may have been sacrificed, and his
body thrown into the flood that rolled at
his feet. Police regulations at that time
were bad, and crimes of this description
were not unfrequently perpetrated. A
| little way back from the street was a ruin
GUS building, half tumbling to decay, and
| inhabited by a number Of people, men and
women Injured to vice and living by rot-
| berry.
Among the notes Mr.. Conlay was
known to possess was one for $500, with
the word "Canal" written on the back,
The rest were of various denominations
and without peculiar identity.
Mr.. I and myself visited the resi-
denee of the missing man, at the request
| 20 l.. r., ,,,I 6trh har Oha cd
with the duty of tracing out and bringing
to Justice his supposed murderers. She
was a tall, elegant looking lady, of COM
manding presence and great culture. The
wealth Of her rich beauty and fine mind
were inherited by her daughter, young
girl scarcely twenty. The terrible be-
reavement had paralyzed the senses of the
mother, but had aroused the energy and
| fire of the young girls nature, More like
beautiful Nemesis than an ordinary
woman she appeared TO u.s. AS we en-
tered the room she was in the act OF con-
soling her mother. The long black hair
had escaped from its confinement and
almost enveloped her person in its ebon
tresses. The great, luminous eyes were
fearful, but flashing and full of fire. The
face was dark with the blood of her Span
ish race, but the figure was queenly, slen-
der, and faultless as model The glorious
beauty of this young girl fascinated while
it bewildered you. Rare in its exquisite
loveliness, the eye delighted to rest on the
willowy outline and gracely symmetry
Starting up as we entered the room, she
| inquired hastily, almost tiercely, | thought
-" Are you the detectives"
1--WE are" and l mentioned our names
"I must speak to you in private" sht
| nd 1o1 ha tn N
apartment
"What do you think of the matter 2
she asked, when out of hearing Of hei
mother. .
"As yet an opinion would be mere
guess work, )" l replied.
Nevertheless, have come to one.
have no doubt he mas been murdered, and
that the deed wac committed somewhere
near that old ruinous building by th'
river"
"Some such idea has crossed my mind
but there is no trace as yet which can lead
to proof of it,"
awe will find it, rest assured" she said
"and to this end you must cooperate with
me. And now listen to what have to say
Tonight, at twelve o'clock precisely, dc
you two visit the old building. will be
there. Ask for the young woman who
applied at nightfall to them for shelter
Let your object be, apparently, to arrest
herr
"But do not understandp
"But you will. / am going there al
dusk, disguised as beggargirl. BY the
time you come nay information will have
been collected" She rose to her feet al
she spoke, and now indeed she wore the
appearance Of the Nemesis had likened
her to at 6rst. Beautiful, but rigid as fate
looked that set, determined face. The
beautiful eyes had lost their softened
lustre, and shone with a passionate light
almost cruel. The lips were pale, bui
rigid as iron, and the beautiful nostril di
lated with an expression of heart consum
ing vengeance. al will read the guilty
secret" she said, "if the criminal Il
there, however deep in his heart he may
bury it."
Strange as it may appear, made no at
tempt 10 dissuade her from her purpose
/ could not I felt as II the beautiful
creature exercised over me q magnetic
control. And with this understanding We
took our leave, 10 prepare for the nigh
visit to the old house and its dangerous
Inhabitants.
Those acquainted with the city at tha
period can form some idea of the danger
of the'plot we had formed. To us IL was
matter of daily occurrence. But for the
young girl, inexperienced and tenderly
nurtured, 70 thrust herself into the very
house of the unscrupulous and desperate
wretches who were suspected OF thi'
crime, was simply appalling. II would
not do, however, TO 90 10 the place before
the hour appointed tor our coming, fol