New Orleans Republican., 1873-08-31

O'Clock ready to receive visitors from me.
All they want is the money"
So saving he left me to my own rehec
tions, and horrible reflections they were.
As l returned homo l ran over every posi-
BILE plan by which l could avoid his COM
mands and shake of his influence. There
was no way of doing this except by giving
up my gold, and l would have parted sooner
with my life.
waited impatiently tho next morning
for my promised visitors. They came at
the appointed hour-dark, taciturn men.
They received the money without any COM
ment, and had it Immediately taken away.
Then, in abject terror at what had done,
fled to my own home
can not say exactly how the deed was
accomplished; 1 was afraid to make in
auiries. and remained secret in my prison
home, dreading l scarcely knew what.
stole out at intervals to pick up the rumors
that flew with startling rapidity from mouth
to mouth. The citizens seemed alarmed at
some great impending calamity. With
pale. anxious faces they stood in groups at
the corners of the streets, talking eagerly:
l drew near one of the knots to listen, and
heard it said that certain spectators had
bought up immense stores Of provisions re-
Gently brought to the city; that the mob,
excited to madness, had broken open their
warehouses; that fearful riots ensued, dur
ing which the warehouses were burned with
all they contained. Exclamations of hOr-
ror escaped from the bystanders at this an
nOuncement They believed the city
doomed, aud thought it prudent TO leave IN
time. .
With skill and precision that will be
deemed utterly fabulous by those who can
not comprehend the source whence these
men derive their power, the Internal deed
was repeated again and again. The ex-
pense made a huge inroad upon my wealth,
but needed not, for was impelled by
stubborn determination to accomplish the
diabolical work in which l was engaged. l
stationed agents at all the principal inlets
to the city. They purchased food of every
description On the false plea that they did
80 for the benefit of the starving populance.
Then followed the ruin contemplated.
Night after night the sky was red with the
glare of bnring warehouses filled with pro
visions. Many of them were destroyed
by the mob, now thoroughly fero
cious from hunger and the thought
that others were profting by its suffer
ings. My plot was being completely
carried out. The people seemed
to have thrown reason overheard, aud un-
consciously were aiding me in my designs.
Telegraphic messages were sent TO Boston,
Philadelphia, and other large cities, lmplor-
ing assistance; but their condition was as
bad as ours. There also starvation was
staring men in the face. My agents were
abroad everywhere. They did not leave
stone unturned, for they baught up grain,
cattle. and vegetables in distant places,
and e.fectuaily prevented any efficient aid
being rendered to the metropolis.
NV iabors were almost Over-they were
more than completed now by the mob;
The fearful excesses to which 1t resorted
alarmed peaceful citizens, and all who
could were preparing to leave the tated
city. Day By day the panic increased.
The life of any one known to possess food
was not safe for an hour. Law and order
was set at defiance. 1t was consumma-
ton in which silently exulted
Unsuspected. remained concealed in my
secluded home, waiting for the end
1t did not arrive fast enough. People, it
is true, we're leaving in thousands, but they
did 80 quietly. l could not see them-1
could not mark the diminished numbers re-
maining-I could not glOat sufficiently over
their alarm and their sutferings. l could
only hear the uproar without-the riot and
tumult that day and night shook the
heavens. The bodily pain l now endured
excited this teverish suspense and reused 1t
to pitch of frenzy NV passions were be-
yond all restraint. This ruin" l said,
s.must be cOnsummated at One;" and my de-
sire to drive every living soul from the me-
tropolis rose with the difficulties that stood
in the way. How could it be done! There
was but one answer-by disease.
. The idea came to me first ss whispered
suggestion. 1t was possible, and might be
tried Nay, as thought the matter over,
it seemed feasible, and must be tried The
promptings of my black heart assumed
bolder and more daring tone. and the words
continually rang in my ears-loud and
louder with every moments reflection
Poison the Croton reservoir
Poison the CrotoE reservoir ia devil
ish scheme.
But mouey did it, Ia, ha From mems
souls downward money can buy up all. !
could tell how | went up to the receiving
reservoir, and cautiously broached my plan
to dark looking individual experimenting
the works. The protfered bait was too
tempting for his virtue. At first he refused,
and even threatened, but only held up the
gold before his eyes. He turned pale and
trembled, and doubled the amount OF my
bribe. already enormous. He hesitated
and succ umbed. Ha. ha! Gold can work
miracles
The deed was done. and that same night
sickness and death began to spread
black pail over the city.
One night, when | had gone out to note
the progress of destruction and desertion,
searched long and in vain for any human
creature. Becoming bolder as proceeded,
l traversed Fifth avenue, walked along
Broadway as far as Union Square, and
there sat down on one of the benches 1t
was an unearIhly sort of night. The trees
dropped. and the whole scene looked wan
and sickly in the moonlight
Ha, what was t-creep;ng-creeping
stealthily through the trees! A rustling
sound startled me, and sent an icy shiver
through my bones. | retreated, or, rather.
tottered back to the shade. out of which |
had ventured, and glared at form that, all
unconscious of my presence, moved assas-
sin-like along. 1t resefh bled some Uncouth
beast more than man-yet man it was.
Presently another, and another. and then
many more appeared in sight-all gliding
onward in the same quiet way. Suddenly
they bounded in the air with one accord.
whooping aud shrieking in a manner that
made the echoes ring and ring again. ! was
in the midst OF a troop Of maniacs-stark,
staring manlaco
Like prisoners just escaped from captivi
ty, they danced madly about in the exuber-
ance of their joy They shouted and glib
bered unmeaIlngly one at the other and so
often approached the spot where, only half
concealed, was crouching, that l fancied
detection inevitable. 1t was hideous mid
night merry-making. Ny own instincts
were yet partially human, and I recoiled
with horror from sGch a sight.
After | had endured an hour OF terrible
suspense they passed on. But long after
they left che square | could hear their yells
far, far down the dark streets, nor did
care to stir unit! their voices were lost in
the distance. wiped the dank perspira-
ton from my face, and, as ] touched my
forehead, methought it had bee ome wrinklei
and shriveled. as though years had worn
themselves ol.t jt those passing moments OF
terror.
did Eoe SIR out fer week after this