Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-07-13

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lantern was darkened, and struggle
in the dark commenced. l shrieked
fran tically. Steps and lights ap-
preached. A pistol was fired, a
heavy fall followed. heard the rob-
Der dash from the room and down
the stairs, and the next moment the
room was full of trembling servants,
and | saw, by the lights they carried,
Ludivico lying upon the floor welter-
ing in his blood.
called his name. He made me
no answer. | lifted up his face
Alas the truth was written there
the bullet had entered his heart. He
was dead
What need to dwell on that sad
time. Friends flockcd to my aid, but
l cared for nothing now that he was
dead.
The house had been stripped of val
uableS and money. 1t was the bold
est robbery accomplished for years
said the police. But despite all ef-
forts-all offered rewards the culprit
could not be found. He had escaped
as completely as though he had van
ished from the earth.
When | had buried my darling in
the strange city Of sepulchres, where
the dead OF New Orleans repose, and
waited many weeks in hopes that his
murderer might be found, took my
child and went home to my kindred
in old Connecticut. was wealthy,
and in no fear of want during my
life. But the only possession | now
valued was my child, the boy who
might some day wear his fathers
mien, and speak to me in his fathers
voice.
had dismissed Jane. She had
been under suspicion, and examined
carefully, but she appeared innocent.
OF all the servants l kept but one to
assist me in packing and travel North
with me. While the packing was 60
ing Oh she came to me and said:
"Therc is queer bit of clay on a
board under your bed ma am. Shall
| throw it away
burst into tears.
"The last thing his hand ever touch
ed p | cried "Oh, no, | will take it
with me" So the dry lump made
part of my luggage, that and the dain-
ty box wood tools he had laid out to
wori, with.
| found dear ones to grieve with
me aud nurse me at nome, but my
heart was broken. The only one ob-
ject | had in life was to bring Ludiv-
ico'o murderer to justice. But how,
when experienced detectives had fail
, ed upon tue spot, was |, an inexperi-
enced woman, so many miles away,
to succeed? They treated the idea
, with indulgent pity, but | felt sure
that God would help me- The face
at the garden gate was stamped upon
my memory. 1t was the only clew |
t had but it was something.
e Soon | had another
Y One day | began to unpack my eff
r fects, and arrange them in my present
s home. Almost at the last of the
{ work came to that which was to
/ have been our sleeping cherub, but
b which was now, like the hand which
s thought to mould it, mere lump of
clay.
4 laid it on table, and looked al
e 1t. thought to weep, but amaze
= ment checked the tears. There il
the midst of the dry mould, was the
E, impress of foot-the lower part of
Y, coarse, large, manned mans foot.
The truth burst upon me at once
n | remembered the ejaculation and tht
d thud of the clay against the bed
it stead. 1t was all plain. | LOCKED
n the door, and sat down with boil
hands TO my head. A fierce joy pos
ly scssed me. | knew what to do. NJ,
d hands had dabOled in cast-makin,
le enough.
Is | found some plaster of Paris, an
soon the foot up to the instep stoo,
1t, before me-a coarse, large foot, as
have said before, with two toes gon
t :; the great toe and the one next
O. aud an incision in the side, a
?" though piece had been cut away.
When | had done this, and thoug
We 1t was matter of some time, | sal
1t no word to any one. | broke dow
> and lay i'll long while. The e.
citement had been very great, an
lie brought on brain fever, from whic
he | nearly died.
af- Yet despite all this, nothing cam
ly, Of my discovery. | waited and hol
ut, ed in vain. A year passed-fve-
Nv the sixth begun and crept on until th
winter, and yet, though | had write
lp- to influential friends in New Orlean
le, nothing was made by my discover,
ITS At last | said: the secret is veile
'as from human eyes forever | mu
= give up hope. And | was calmer q
ter that.
2" My boy was now a comfort to IN
ep- and | had gone to housekeeping wi
me a young sister for my companion
| She was beautiful creature, anu v
up- ry much admired. My house gre
on gay, tor | could not doom her to du
be ness, and young voices and Taught
art and music filled the parlors almo
nat nightly.
| Sometimes, however, | was alo
ty. there while she was away mid g
1ot scenes and merry friends, and then
| thought until thinking was pain, al
my the hours seemed years.
in One cold winter night | had be
lad thus alone when my sister Ora
the came home. She was in a mer
lip mood, and cast her fur wrappings frt
md her gleefully as she sat down by t
fire.
'at. dive made conquest. my dea
us she said.
"ls that anvthinp new 2'' | asked