New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-12-07

her vision, as IL would look across the deep,
mysterious ocean that separated her from
her pecuniary troubles increased, Madame
Rode paid frequent visits to the river. and
she always returned moody and dispirited
to her hotel.
Events hurry themselves when a woman's
mind is DISCOUNTED On the morning Of
Tuesday. November u. Madame Rode,
wearing black silk dress and an astra.
khan mantle, left the Spingler House and
did not return there again. This was the
day Of the triumphal procession in honor OF
the Russian Grand Duke Alexis, and while
thousands Of happy faces lined the streets
this poor woman, who had been reared in
a.fiuepce and luxury, stood in Broadway
near Blocker street, where abe was seen
for the last time alive, her heart on fire and
her brain racked with the fever of suicidal
purpose. She saw not the crowds. she
heard not the hurrahs for RomanOtf, for
the windows OF her soul were about to close
forever.
On Friday. November -. while Robert
Peach, a boatman. WAS pulling around on
his boat near the Battery, half.trozen
body. with long streaming hair. fioated to-
wards. him and he instantly grappled with
the unknown and took it into his boat
where, by gradual stages, it was taken to
the M0rgue, where it laid, with the waters
dropping on the once fair face. until the
morning of Tuesday, November 90. when il
was recognized 10y an Grand boy Of NJ. Sc
billie, the hotelkeeper. 1t was only short
life of thirty years of mingled Joy and sor.
row, and, however rash the mode of ending
it. it can be said that Madame Rode pre-
ferrcd the grave to life of shame. Mr..
Ritiand. Of No. az Nesey street. in this city, a
wealthy French gentleman. had at different
times held money in trust for Madame
Rode, the last sum in his hands amounting
to $500, which the deceased had drawn at
different periods, that sum having lasted
her for year. Mr.. Riffland states that he
would have loaned her money, as we'll as
others Of her friends, had they known of
her restitution; but she was too proud. it
seems, to beg, and Madame Rode never
made her circumstances known to any one
but her friend, NJ. dc Compisny.
NJ. de Compisny was interviewed by a
Herald reporter, who said in reply to the
question "Was Madame Rode an educated
woman-a woman Of refinement ,"
/ have travelled very much, and never
saw lady with better manners or breeding,
or lady of better conversational powers
and general information. During the first
month OF our acquaintance she told me a
great deal of her troubles and private at
fairs; bat there was always something kept
back. I thought, from her FESTIVE manner,
and did not seek to penetrate into her
sorrows. l felt she made Of me a cOnfdant
and told her of my troubles. for we all
have our troubles, moro or less. The conf
dence was mutual and was not abused by
either of US. She was very proud and SEN
sitive, and to q great extent. discreet.
Often. through my own knowledge, l found
that she was in want Of money. but did not
like to offend her By Offering any assistance.
She had valuable jewelry, but would not
part with it. She told me that she would
some day commit suicide, when misery
overlook her. IL am not rich, and l have
my own troubles" said to her. Don't be
afraid and l will help you" She would
smile sadly
She said she would commit suicide sooner
than prostitute herself, for she abhorred
the life which she had observed the unfOr-
tunate women leading, believed she had
tho courage to kill herself. and did all l
could to dlssuade her from it. / saw her
the day before she disappeared, on Monday.
and cheered her as we'll as could. Mon
day she sent me telegram which l re-
ceived at Fort Washington. 1t seemed she
had gone down Broadway, intending to
visit the Battery. as l believed, with the
purpose Of committing suicide. She had
forgotten something. however. and came
back to this hotel, where she wrote the dis
patch, which received at seven o'clock
that evening. She was very brief in the
dispatch. and only said, having confidence
trouble; send me some money. Marie"
She was not the woman to beg, knew.
sent a brother professor Of the institute
who was kind enough to call upon Nine
Rode with a check for twenty five dollars
Previous to that she stated to mo in re-
counting her troubles. that she had often
visited the Battery with the intention OF
drowning herself
On Saturday, November 10. saw her.
and she was in pleasant temper and in
better Spirits than usual. | sat with her
that whole day nearly, telling each other
our troubles. | wrote ler letter on last |
Friday, which che never received. She has |
hree pieces of baggage at the Spingler |
House. l offered today to pay her board |
Dill OF fifty three dollars at that house. She |
lad asked me to destroy her private CORE |
pondence and papers. What papers she
lad in this house l destroyed without read
ng. as she required of me. Had read the
l might have obtained the
10 it, On November Is she wrote me q
etter. previous to her disappearance. 1t is
Is follOws-I recall from memory-it was
written IN French:
NEW YORK, November 10, 1871.
TRES CHER COMPIGSY-I have seen YOU
or the last time. Let me thank you very
much for what you have done for me. know
ng that you have your own troubles. 1 can
lot abuse your kindness any longer. You
re poor, and you have done much for me,
nd my last thought will be for you In
wo hours l will leave the hotel. No one
hall know where 60. l will leave box
or YOU at D'Auville's, at the New York
iotel, in Broadway. In that box you will
ind my watch-keep it in memory of me-
lou will fnd, also, several papers. May
SIX you to burn them after my death
hall not trouble any one when am gone.
IS you are generous and honest man,
m confident that you will burn those pa
ers. flank you again for what you have
one, and don't be too sorry for me. hope
hat you will be more happy in the future
han you have been lately. When YOU re-
Give this letter burn it with the rest And
ow, let me thank you forever. Tout a
ous MARIE RODE.
A lady says engagements arc very unsat
factory sort of affairs, for if you are not
cry polite and attentive the gentleman
Kinks you do not care for him. and you
re afraid to be polite for fear the engage
nnt ~ !