The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-01-19

We made it IN inScrutable Providence
toIher time. We make it a murder this
time. That Waterman you know"
Thus, without any new light went
home.
At dusk that day l went into my bed.
room myself. came out n strange man
l wore white wig, a pair OF green cog.
giles and an Overcoat, the tails Of which
reached to my heels. l had muller
about my throat, and little bunch on
one OF my shoulders. l carried thick
cane, and'stooped good deal as / walk.
ed. In my hand / carried carpet-bag
and in my bosom pair Of pistols well
loaded.
AS 1 passed out into the street the early
moon was Just rising; she lit me on my
way to Madame Alatteau's house.
It was opened for me when knocked
by old Hannah. Her eyes were red and
swollen. Then / told her that was a
stranger, and had received Madame Mat.
tean'S address from gentleman in New
York, and desired to stay under her roof
all night. She shook her head.
n don't think you can" she said; "the
lady is away from home. Besides, we are
in trouble here. don't think Miss Ga
briella would"
But here Miss Gabrielle herself APP
peared.
a am an old man, Miss," l said, Gand
as you see quite infirm. dread another
step. Ishould take it as u kindness il you
would accommodate me, and will pay you
any price you ask"
Miss Gabrielle looked at Hannah.
1--WE have only one ROOM" she said,
"and that"
Tended the question Of my stay by beg.
ging to be taken to it.
"You will have supper, sir% asked the
girl.
But declared that l had eaten and
wanted rest.
Her reply was: "Hunnnh, show the
gentleman to the blue room, and make u
fire" ! was in the room, the scene OF
three sudden deaths or murders. 1t was
small apartment painted blue. 1t had
also blue window curtains, and blue
silk coverlet on the bed: neat striped
carpet, a set Of old mahogany furniture,
and very handsome ever and basin Of
costly china. TWAS at the time almost a
universal customto burn wood. In this
room, however, was small coal fire. |
alluded to this as Hannah came in with
the scuttle.
ayes, yes" she said. "Alisses does
burn Goals. Her son is clerk, or the
like, ut the new mines at Mauch Chunk;
and he sends it cheap to her, but it's a
nasty, dirty smelling thing, and hate it.
Now it's built and lit: twill warm up in
fifteen minutes. It takes no longer than
wood"
She went out OF the door and came in
in minute with little tray, on which
stood n pot and cup and saucer, also
bowl and tiny pitcher with something
in napkin.
"Misses sent bit and sip" said she.
"Tea rests us old folks nightly. Good
night"
"Good night" said. ~ expect shall
sleep soon; l must be up very early,
though, for ! have bills to pay. | have
some hundreds Of dollars with me to pay
out tomorrow, and it's in this bag"
She looked at me in queer sort OF
way, and fingered beside me. At last she
spoke:
"Look We, sir; think that old folks OF
your age do wrong to lock doors on them.
selves. You might be i'll at night, and
who'd get in to sec you"
Was it this woman's practice to beg
travellers who stopped with her mistress
not to lock the door? Was there some
baneiul potion in the cup she had given
me
II was IN innocent looking cup enough |
AN old-fashioned affair, covered with
little gilt sprigs. The tea was fragrant
Hyson, but tho suspicion that had crept
into my mind had tainted it. Iiancied n
strange color, a curious smell. | put it
from me, and would not have tasted it
for a Kingdom.
had not intended to sleep, and did
not undress myself. l merely removed
my disguise and sat down beside the table,
with my pistols beside me. thought Of
all the old tales that had ever heard, OF
trap doors and sliding panels and secret
entrances to travellers rooms. was not
q coward, but l felt strangely nervous,
and my hands were growing cold, and my
feet were Jumps Of ice, while MY mead was
burning hot,
Fifteen minutes had passed and the
ERE was kindled, but the room was not
warm, The blue flames struggled among
the black Goals and flung forked tongues
tipped with yellow tint in the room.
There was nothing cheerful about the
stove, though it was Of the open style
now called Franklin. Yet l drew n
chair toward it from habit, and sat with
my feet on the hearth. l do not know
how long sat there. Suddenly | became
aware that ! was not myself. l was los
ing my senses. II any unseen hand Ind
been clasped about my neck, and an I'M
seen knee had been pressed against my
chest, my sensations could not have been
different.
A thought OF the evil spirit which my
friend had suggested family struggled in
to my mind. As ! staggered to my feet
noise like the roaring OF the sea was in
my car. The flame OF the candle turned
to great yellow blue. barely retained
strength enough to stagger to the window
and fling it open. The fresh cold winter
mir rushed in at it. 1t gave me intense
pain, but relieved me. In a moment
more was able to Chamber out Of it upon
the shed below.
There remained until day dawn.
With my returning senses, the truth came
to me. That which had murdered the
three mon who slept before me in the blue
chamber was nothing more or less than
the coal stove.
1t was provided with what is called
dampCr, and this, being caught in a man.
ner which closed it, sent the poisonous
gus ino the room. 1thad been kindled as
a wood fire would have been, at the time
Of retiring, by some one ignorant OF the
danger possible from coal gas, and they
slept never to awaken. Had thrown
myself upon the bed, I also should have
been found dead at daylight, in all human
probability.
AS for the fact that neither doctor nor
coroner discovered the truth, ] have but
to say that they were not deeply scienti-
fic men, that coal stoves were scarcely
used in the placeyand that it had not been
that the blue chamber was thus
heated.
Ofcourse 1 rejoiced the household by
,J nnualIt,