New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-11-11
A Sad Story.

Among the shabby, dirty and ragged un-
fOrtunates which came to the Southern sta
ton last night 10 obtain a nights lodging
was an old nao bent with years and shO W.
ing the evidences of fatigue and travel BY
his tottAring footsteps aud wretehed ap-
partl. He gave his uame to Captain De-
Ianty as Paul Veniler, of New Orleans, and
was shown back to the room assigned to
tramps. A glance at his rags and careworn
face would never eug yest to the observer
that Paul Venller was at one time q leading
business man and prominent citizen Ut the
Crescent City, but such is indeed the
case. and the history Of his life has in 1t
al the elements of dramatic etory, which
We NAV read, throw aside and say it is i'm
probate. A few points in the life of this
unfortunate individual may not be unin.
teresting. About thirty-ive years ago there
arrived in New Orleans young and hand
some man, accompanied BY his wife, Q
Creole, in the full bloom Of her youthful
beauty. The couple had come from Mar
tiniaue, and brought with them a large sum
of money, which Veniler proposed to invest
in trade. They settled in magnificent
house on the bank of Lake POntchartrain.
which became, on account OF the social
qualities of its master and mistress, the CEN
trail point Of attraction for all the arist0-
cratic people of the neighborhood. The
husband had in the meantime embarked in
the Shipping and commission business and
was very successful Reslizing largely on
his investments he became one OF the
wealthiest citizens, while he at the same
time attained Q reputation for unblemished
business integrity, probity and honesty.
Three children had been born, and every
bright prospect In life seemed attainable
without effort to the young couple, About
this time gambler, we'll known In those
days for his success with cards, and re-
markable for his handsome exterior and
pleasing address, met Madame Veniler at 9
hal.masQue. Other meetings followed, and
the foolish woman abandoning her luxuri-
ous home, her children, her husband and
her honor. listened to the seductive ad-
dresses Of her destroyer and fled to Cuba.
The husband followed, but never succeeded
in coming up with his wife. to whom he
had forgiveness to offer; nor with her
seducer, for whom he had vengeance. lie
gave up the pursuit and returned to New
Orleans. But business had no longer any
interest for him, now that she for whom he
labored so earnestly had deserted him. The
three children fell victims to the cholera,
and Veniler, q broken down man. aged be.
fore he was old, sold out his business in
terests and disappeared. Some weeks later
he was discovered on the levee wandering
up and down, homeless, and without u
penny of the large sum he had realized by
the sale Of his property. He was taken to
a madhouse, where he remained for twenty
three years. and finally, when former friends
had forgotten him and be was no longer an
object Of interest to the outside world, he
was released, helpless and penniless, TO live
or die as chance befell him. In his wan
derings he reached Baltimore last night,
carrying with him. as link connecting him
with happier days. the New Orleans and
Mobile papers which told the story Of his
the children, and of his immurement in the
madhouse. Poor old man! he has but few
steps to take in life before he will 60 out
with the tide, the wreck Of life blasted by
q woman's per6dy.-Bal.imor American.