The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-02-01
ALTERING A WILL.
BY j. G. l..

1t was chilly night in the early
part of February, 1865. The black
mantle of night enveloped the great
city of New York with a darkness al
most opaque. The fierce gusts OF wind
blew the heavy drops of rain with
force against the Pickering gas-lan'ps
that bid fair to cxtinguish the light al
together, or shatter the glass III the
frame.
Could a spectator have beheid the
nilt hands of the clock i'll the tall spre
Of Trinity Church, he would have seen
that the time wanted but few mo-
ments of eleven. Broadway was al
most deserted in that section OF the
city. with the exception OF a SOLITARY
uoliceman, mufflcd in a long rubbe
: coat and horse hide boots, and SOM
5 two or three private night-watchmen
who slowly paced their respectlv
Il, beats with sudden, measured tread, an
dismal, disconsolate air.
The aforesaid spectator would ais
: have seen man, dressed IN q ioh
cloak of dark blue chinchilla, Wit
black slouch hat and warmly mufiie
. in huge plaid comforter, walk quick
Z, " down Broadway toward Wall stree
The policeman stopped and stare
,. suspiciously in the strangers lace
that is, what little there was visible
d it. The night-watchmen, each in turl
n stopped, gazed, and resumed their M
20 nctonous pace again.
e. At the sight of the glittering SHE
and heavy club of the policeman, Il
stranger started slightly, and quicke
ed his already fast pace.
J.. "Confound it!'' he muttered to hi
H. self. III hope he won't hang round MI
At that moment the policeman rap
T.! ed heavily with his club on the sto
I'M. pavement. Although but SIM
signal, signifying that he was on du
n f, the stranger stopped suddenly
-, peered around him into the dark glo
of the night.
It was clear, that whatever his n
me sion, it was for no good purpose.
p ma About a block behind him, on
ney other side of the street, might h
~, been seen an individual, who, v
ton bent back and straining eyes, was
tern deavoring to pierce the gloom. w
!. aia u the stranger paused the sneaking Il
sub yMual suddenly dived behind
Feb, iecting sign board, but upon the st
orth ger restming his walk, emerged
-, his place of temporary conceain
, nne and crept along the side OF the
Wes- railing of Trinity church-yard A
mes ment more, and the strong grip OF
s .n, poljceman's hand was on his &C
d H. and he was prisoner.
1of a Not for long, however, for, at
;, word of explanation, he threw bac
70, Ill lapel of his coat, and exhibite'
shining badge of the Detective 1
The but of revolver also SHOWED
~, spicuously in the inner pocket
coat.
He was Immediately recogniz
ocLs one of the most skillful detectl
he city. He was again at libert
resumed the panther-like chase
ICl7 victim.
,rjeans Let MS return to the stranger.
we ar ING the corner of Wall street, he
ipa,a1rr ed down some little distance u
stepped before a large brown bu
a. ana garnished with numerous SIN
ls-tf signs, indicating the several
--,s sions practiced by their res
ring. owners.
Descending step or two into
IN IN nat ra area, he drew from his pocket
. Tack iron key. Cautiously he peeret
sing. al' street, and then down, but NJ
49,, w., creature or sound could be
heard anywhere within the I'M
IF Ian vicinity, which apparently
.SEY great satisfaction to him, Tor