Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-12-13
TWO HUNDRED POUNDS REWARD.


has befallen poor old Mr.. Goltlsworthy ~
asked my wife in hurried, trembling way,
the moment entered the house, one bit
ierly cold snowy evening.
"Not L I. what accident?'' was my some
what ungracious rejOinder; for had just
come by train from the north, and the cold
had given keen edge to both my temper
and appetite.
"He fell erthrew himself last night from
the folding doors of the loft leading from
his bedroom on the third floor of his house,
into the paved court below, and must have
been killed on the spot" replied my wife,
partly reading from a newspaper in her
hand.
BLESS me, how dreadful.' / exclaimed
y His strange habit of walking in his sleep
has, then, rs we feared, resulted fatally at
lastr'
$50 the paper doubtfully hints, replied
my wife, still with the same odd quivering
oflips, eyes, and voice; but you know il
was Charlotte's care that not only the door
spoken of, but her fathers bedroom win
dow should be securely fastened after he
had retired to bed. either by herself or her
husband. All! there is his knock again !
He has been here twice before J"
"Whose knock % hastily demanded.
"Charlotte's husband, Richard Warren,
to request your presence at the inquest to
be holden tomorrow morning. Ha Good
heavensr'
was not surprised mt this last exclama-
ton of apprehensiye astonishment, for the
face which peered doubtfully in at the par
tially-opened door was that of a corpse, in
its mortal pallor.
Before / could speak, Richard Warren,
perceiving that only my wife and L were
present, pushed wide the door, staggering
in, and dropped helpIessly upon the near
est chair.
"what, in the name of heaven, is the
matter, Richard ~ said at last.
He strove nightly to answer, could
see, but the overpowering agitation under
which he conviIlsively labored, choked his
words. Ny wife, though more alarmed
than myself, poured out a tumbler of
brandy, which Warren eagerly seized, al
though his shaking hands could hardly
carry it to his mouth.
1t seemed TO steady his nerves somewhat,
and presently he said in a low, palpitating
voice, "I-Iwish you to attend the inquest
tomorrow morning.
ION whose behalf-yours? Why what
on earth ails the man?''
A slight tap at the door by our little
mite of a servant maid, who wished to
know if my dinner was TO be brought in,
produced such a violent start, that the
umbler fell from his nerveless grasp, and
was smashed to bits on the floor, whilst
the long-drawn groan-like breath which
followed the girls entrance. testified alike
10 the greatness of the relief, and the pre-
Vlous terrible dread that he had felt.
One word, Robert he, after a few
mured-" one word. Charlotte, my wife,
mas, you know, been ill-she is mad''
Mad! Your wife mad!' 90
fes-she must be so. And tell me,
ISIS my wife's evidence admissible, even
ssupposing she were deemed sane against
Mereiful heavens they arecome !-have,
& suspected, dreaded, dogged, tracked
A light, single knock at the street-door
occasioned this wild off-break, and Warren
awaited what might follow, in an agony
OF paralyzing fear. He was not long kept
IN msuspense. A whispered sentence adj
dressed to the girl who opened the door,
was succeeded by hasty footsteps on the
stars: and before you could count ten,
TWO police-officers abruptly entered the
room. Warren started back, looked Wild
Wround as if in search of some outlet to
escape-saw none, and would, / think,
nave fallen, but for the iron grasp of the
oncers, in which he was Immediately
seized. II Is useless attempting to depict
me distress and confusion attendant upon
such an incident as this; suffice it to say
mat 1t was not till some time after one of
une detectives had gone for a-cab, that |
vomprehended, and then dimly only, from
.ne other officers curt sotto roce answers,
.nat Richard Warren was .grievously sus-
pected of having robbed his father-in-law,
shd detected by the old man'in the act. OF
nurllng him after fierce struggle from
me lott doors into the court below!
But for his wife's asseyerations, which
cannot however, be made legally availa-
oie, 1 doubt that -. But here is the
sae'' added the officer, in a business-like
peremptory tone. Now, sir. ii you
Fsase. at once, and without any bother !''
ineir prisoner was hurried away without
surtner preface land had barely sufficient
,esshness of mind TO say, in answer TO his
sne, ssiaie, but piteous,appeal. that would not
,all 10 he. present at the inquest on the
Al NY wife and We're so utterly confound.
" oy what had occurred, that it was a