Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1869-03-18
A Young Nemesis.

Detectives stories are rarely
devoid of interest, and when
truthfulness is a prominent ele-
ment of their matter, they acquire
positive Importance in the eyes
of the general reader. The one
told by the officer, in the New Or
leans Picayu'ae, and printed below,
is no exception to the rule. AS a
record of facts, giving prominence
to the keenness and courage of a
woman, it will be found worthy
of perusal:
In 1848, a circumstance occurr-
ed in New Orleans which, at the
time created an excitement which
affected the entire population. An
old merchant, highly connected,
wealthy, and of distinguished So
cial position, one night mysteri-
ously 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 prac-
tice, 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 dis
trict of the city. His life may
have been sacrificed, and his body
thrown into the food that rolled
at his feet. Police regulations at
that time were bad, and crimes of
this descrip ption were not untre-
quently perpetrated. A little
way back from the street was a
ruinous building, half tumbling
to decay, and Inhabited by num-
Der of people, men and women in
ured to vice and living by robbie
ry.
Among the notes Mr.. Conlay
was known to possess was one for
$500, with the word "CanaP writ
ten on the back. The rest were
of various denominations and
without peculiar identity.
Mr.. L and myself visited
! the residence of. the missing man,
at the request of his wife, and by
her we were charged with the du-
ty Of tracing out and bringing to
justice his supposed murderers.
She was a tall, elegant looking
lady, of commanding presence
and great culture. The wealth of
her rich beauty and fine mind were
inherited by her daughter, a
young girl scarcely twenty. The
terrible bereavement had para
lyzed the senses of the mother,
but had aroused the energy and
! fire of the young girls nature
More like a beautiful Nemesis
than an ordinary woman she ap-
peared to us. As we entered 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 Spanish race, but
the figure was queenly, slender,
and faultless as a 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 SYM
metry. Starting up as we entered
the room, she inquired hastily,
almost fercely, l thought-"Are
you the detectives?"
"We are" and l mentioned our
names.
81 must speak to you in pri-
vate," she said, and led the way to
an adjoining apartment.
"What do you think of the
, matter?" she asked, when out of
hearing of her mother.
GAS yet an opinion would be
mere guess-work," Ireplied.
Nevertheless, | have come tc
one. have no doubt he has been
, murdered, and that the deed was
;. committed somewhere near that
old ruinous building by the river
"Some such idea has crossed
/ my mind, but there is no trace as
vet which can lead to proof of it" "
5 "We will find it, rest assured,
she said, ''and to this end you